It's Been a Busy Week

It's been a very busy week here, so forgive me the long post. I know most of you are here for this week's Diva Challenge, so I will start there, but you can also find information about:

• the release of my book: Made in the Shade: a Zentangle Workbook
• a shading class to go along with the book
• now I'm a speaker, too
• virtual book club: One Zentangle a Day by Beckah Krahula

Despite all of the things I have to do this week, or perhaps because of  all of the things I have to do this week, I started with the Diva Challenge.  It's one thing I do each week for me.  It helps keep me focused and centered and helps me grow as an artist.  Sometimes life gets so hectic that unless I make it a priority, I can flit from task to task without doing anything that requires any thought or exercising my creativity. When this happens, I start to feel vaguely uneasy and unfocused. Tangling helps these feelings go away.

This week's Diva challenge was to use String #3 from TanglePatterns.com. I've never used a string from TanglePatterns before. In fact, unless I am teaching a beginner class, I rarely use anyone else's string.   For me, Zentangle is more about the process than the patterns, so I generally use official tangles and rarely explore TanglePatterns.  But I thought that since I was there I would challenge myself to use patterns that I've never used before. So, here is String #3 filled with:  2-in-5, capell,feather,girlande,japonica, ojo, queen's crown, ragz, raindotty, sand swirl (I really like this one), and zazzy.

Here, it is unshaded. I wasn’t sure I liked it very well before I shaded it.

After, it’s OK. By the way, instead of using a tile, I used my sketch pad and traced a CD as the outline for my frame.

Made in the Shade: a Zentangle Workbook

My book is now available for purchase! It has been a long, but rewarding process. I have learned so much, not only about shading but also about formatting, design, image processing, InDesign, Photoshop, and, of course, self-publising. So far, the reviews have been good. Kelley Kelly, whose tangle Thanksgiving is introduced in my book, wrote a review on her blog.

Made in the Shade: the Class

I am developing a 3-hour class to go along with the book. The first official class will be at the Retreat to Paradise in Indiatlantic, Florida on April 7-8. But, for those who live in Central Ohio, or who are willing to travel, you can attend the dress rehearsal for this class for FREE! All I ask is your honest feedback to help me make the class the best it can be. See the Class Schedule page.

Retreats, Here I Come

I have been invited to speak at two retreats the same weekend.  First, I will be introducing Made in the Shade at the CZT Hideaway in Indiana. If you are a CZT, check out this retreat. There, I will be introducing the book, signing copies, telling people about the writing/publishing process, and, of course, shading. Everything about this event promises to be special: the accommodations, the events, the hostesses. You name it.  I am sad that I can only spend a day and a half there.


But do not feel sorry for me.  The reason I can't stay is because then I am off to Retreat to Paradise. I am so excited to be spending 2 days on the beach. There is no place I'd rather be than walking on a quiet beach watching the sun come up.  And there will be some pretty cool classes offered there also.

Sadly, you must bet a CZT to go to that one also.
Not a CZT? Get a group of people together and call me.  I love to travel.

One Zentangle a Day

When I was at CZT training, I had the honor of meeting Beckah Krahula, author of One Zentangle a Day. She is one of the most remarkable women I've ever met.  She is truly inspiring.  So when I found out she was writing a book, I was thrilled. When I found out she was going to include a piece of my art, I was beside myself. (OK, so it is so small even I have trouble seeing it, but, still, it was the first time I'd seen my work in print.) I am not the only one who loves this book.  Several of us have decided to work through this book together, and I will be hosting this "virtual book club" here on this blog. We'll start on February 1.

To be realistic, we will only play during the week.  That way you will have the weekend to catch up if life gets in the way of your 6-Week Course in Creative Drawing for Relaxation, Inspiration, and Fun.

Don't have the book?  You can get it in "under a minute" because it is available for Kindle. The cool thing is, you don't even need a Kindle because there are Kindle readers for your computer and just about every device out there!

Your first assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to get the book and read the introduction. Then, come back on Friday as we explore Day 1 together. I hope you will play along.

Snowflake Zendala Revisited

Thanks to everyone who helped me decide what to do with my snowflake Zendala. I decided to go with Cat's advice and use blue. I used about 10 different colors of Prismacolors in shades of blue, white, and silver and used them as if I was shading it. I really enjoyed this process and think I will have to explore it more. Here it is in blue.

And, since I accidentally had my scanner set to black and white mode for my book; here it is in black and white. I think I achieved my goal of "shading" with blue. Except for the center, it looks just like it would have if I'd done it with pencil.

I'd love to hear which you prefer.

Pen Shading Fun

I loved the Diva challenge this week: tangle without a string.  I started with flux and things just sprouted from there.  I worked on this tile while Birdie's band was sight reading new music, so I was under the influence of beautiful melodies and a few wrong notes.  I wasn't impressed at all with this tile before shading.  I meant to take a picture for you, but picked up my phone and ended up reading e-mail instead. (That is so me.)

While working on Made in the Shade, I learned so much about pen shading, stippling in particular, that I thought I'd give it a try. Here's what I came up with.

Tangles used: flux, opus, sinuous, za, and frondus

Now, I'm off to edit.  Wish me luck.  Thanks to everyone for the encouragement last week.  I appreciated all of your comments even if I didn't take the time to respond personally.  With the way I get distracted...

Shading Study in Green

Pen shading using stippling and dense lines.

Here is a little monochromatic study I did with my Sarasa Stick 0.4.  I've been practicing different shading techniques so I can offer instruction in advanced Zentangle classes.

It is hard for me because I so use my pencil shading as a cure-all for when my tangles don't turn out.