Wednesday, November 6, 2013

More Challenging Than Usual

This week’s Diva challenge is to use Caren Mlot’s beautiful tangle Cruze. She makes this tangle look so easy that I didn’t bother writing down the steps when I went out to tangle. I ended up with some interesting tangleations, but nothing that looked as elegant as the original.  I'd show you those, but they are hiding in shame.

So, I got out my iPhone and checked the steps again. The same thing happened.  I thought I had it, but I still didn’t get it. This time,  the results are closer:

Cruz

At this point, I resorted to drawing guidelines, something I’ve never had to do before.  I teach and believe that there are no mistakes in Zentangle, just opportunities to go off in an unexpected direction and see what happens.  Some of the most interesting tangleations  are the result of this.  So, usually I am just happy to see what happens, but this tangle is so interesting that I wanted to “get it right.”  I also thought it would be really interesting to do in a circle. This  is probably part of the reason it was confounding me.

I’m still not sure I succeeded 100%, but I really like the overall result.

Cruz

Despite the frustration, I really appreciated this challenge as I have students who face these same sorts of challenges regularly and I new feel more able to empathize with their need to “get it right.”

I haven’t had this much trouble since I first tried Mooka.  

Did anyone else find this one more challenging than usual?

18 comments:

  1. Wow! I think that you did great with the circle! I wouldn'd have even attempted that yet! My trouble was just trying to keep everything even, and I just kind of gave up on that and started to try to make it more organic.

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    1. Well, I just finished a 4-week long Zendala session, so I've been doing everything in the round. Like I said, I used guidelines to help it go around the circle. I do like the ones that are more organic. I just have trouble doing them!

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  2. Love what you did with the zendala! The simplicity of the shaded orbs compliments the complexity of the inner areas beautifully.

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    1. Thanks. They orbs are simple because I couldn't think of what else to do with them. Glad you like them :-)

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  3. I love the Zendala. I've been trying to get Cruze to curve, with not so great results. Seeing yours in a circle has compelled me to try harder. Just terrific!

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    1. Thanks. It took me many times to get it to cooperate, but it was worth it.

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  4. Your tiles are beautiful. I love the Zendala, it looks great

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  5. I agree, the results are exceptional.

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  6. This is amazing, i gave up curving mine and did my own variation but i will get back to it and try using guidelines aswell. Jenna

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  7. Your zendala is gorgeous! I haven't tried it in the round yet, but when I do I hope it looks as good as yours!

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  8. Like other tanglers, I think your zendala is really GREAT!!!!

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  9. Yes, I agree with the other tanglers. Your zendala with Cruze as a circle is gorgeous!

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  10. Love your Zendala, beautiful, impeccable shading, your tangle choices all enhance each other perfectly. Love those orbs!

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  11. WOW - your variation on Cruze is so lovely! & that whole mandala is stinkin beautiful! great work, lady!

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  12. I like the way your Cruze in the top one forms hearts. Even with guidelines I do not think I could have used it in a circle. You did a great job.

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  13. Your zendala is beautiful! I had trouble with this tangle too, and had to make several attempts. I never could get it to go in a circle, which you did an awesome job at!

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  14. The variety in your cruze is wonderful....I love the way that hearts showed up in one of them!

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