Catching Up

Wow, I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I've posted anything.  I've been pouring all of my energy into writing the book and have had none left to do anything else.

For instance, I went to painting class on Monday and managed to paint: green.

It was kind of fun just to paint with no rhyme nor reason, but I'm not sure I had to go to painting class to do it.

I had 2 very successful Zentangle 101 classes and started a Zendala class. I love getting people excited about Zentangle.  I had one lady share that 30+ years ago, as a freshman in college, she had her "teacher" tell her that he would give her a 'B' in the class if she promised to never take another art class!  I am so grateful that she took the chance to come to one of my Zentangle classes because she is now getting back her confidence in art.  What an honor to be a part of that.  It really makes me angry when I hear stories like that. Clearly, the fault was on the teacher not being able to teach, but it totally destroyed her confidence. Can you tell from this mosaic which is done by the "art failure?"

I think they all show wonderful creativity. 

It has been a stressful couple of days, so I really needed to tangle, just to save my sanity.  The Diva challenge this week was to 8s-parte-dos by Jane Eileen. I admit I've tried this one before and didn't have the focus to do it successfully. I had similar difficulty with this one, but covered up most of the poorly drawn lines with extra patterns.  It reminds me of some of the fancy screens we saw in Istanbul.  

Finally, I wanted to share what I did from art class last week. I was in a mood to do something light and fun.  Nothing makes me smile more than our geese, so I painted them.  They are pure white on the outside, but have the most colorful personality that I just had to paint them to show that.  

Hope you all have a very creative next week.

--Cris

Rainy day before and afters

Today was a rainy day at the beach. Luckily, we had checked the weather before we left, and knew we might be in for a couple of bad beach days so we came prepared. On our way out the door, I grabbed my watercolors, my acrylics, some canvases, and even poor Nemo.

All the water today inspired to work on Nemo. I added some more seaweed, enlarged his Anemone, and even painted Nemi a friend. Everyone agreed that this friend was a mistake though so he got painted out.

I think this painting is almost done. Something about it still bothers me, but I don't know what it is, so I think I will put it away for a while and see how it looks to me later. Or until someone can tell me what it needs.

After a nap, some reading, and some shopping, I was ready to do more art. This time I did some Zentangle.

I liked this Zendala, but even after I shaded it I thought it was missing something. Since my watercolors were still out after painting Nemo, I decided I would paint it too.

I don't think it looks that bad, but Birdie thinks I ruined it. Which do you like better black-and-white or color? Do you think I ruined it?