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.

Auraknot & Bunzo, Take 2

This week's Diva Challenge was so interesting, I had to try again.  To spice things up a bit this time, I used a black ATC.

First, I drew the string with a white Prismacolor Verithin pencil. I like these for strings because the lead is much harder than a regular Prismacolor, so you can get a fine, light line.

Done tangling. I used a Sakura white Gelly Roll pen for the AuraKnots and my Faber-Castell metallic colored EcoPencils for the Bunzo.  I was thinking 4th of July, so I used red and blue stripes to go with the stars.

"Shading" the AuraKnots with my silver metallic pencil. I tried going around the inside of the bunzo to clean up the edges and add a subtle shadow, but it's almost impossible to see.  Bummer. It's still kind of plain. What to do?

Since adding a new tangle is "verboten," I thought about using a tanglenhancer, in this case, perfs. I used the silver pencil again.  It's getting there...

It needs more more color, but I dropped my blue on the floor. The lead broke and I didn't have a pencil sharpener with me.  So, no more patriotic colors.  The stars are purple.

I got the Gelly Roll pen out to jazz up the perfs and add some around my AuraKnots. This I really like. Finally, another tanglenhancer: auras around the outside edges. Since my glaze pen won't write, I pronounce it finished.

It was really fun to use new materials and think outside the box.  I highly recommend it!  I know I am not the Diva, but I would like to offer a challenge to you to try a new material or try a new tanglenhancer. If you accept my challenge, please comment and let me know how it went.  

Have a delightful week.

Displaying your Art

I've been having a great time collecting my miniature pieces of art.  The problem is that they were just sitting in a pile on my desk.  This is no way to enjoy a collection!  After looking at all of the clutter in my school room/guest room/art room, I noticed that there was one spot that was completely empty.  Check out my new collection shelf:

We had a bit of trouble with the wind from an open window blowing some down, so I used a stapler to attach the sleeve to the wall.  Then I slipped the ATC back in.  So, they are secure and I can change out my collection.  

Some of them were landscape mode and they had to be hung.  I used some fishing line and mini clothespins.  
Birdie has been making some art of the places we will be visiting and I will admit that I am terrible about getting artwork framed and hung on the wall.  So, as I was doing a rush clean-up job, I took the pile of artwork and shoved it inside our DVD shelves.  I like that so much better than looking at the DVD collection.

So, do any of you have any clever ways to display children's art?  Or artist trading cards?  Please share if you do.

I love tanglers!

Look what I just got in the mail:

These are from the Zentangle Inspired Art Yahoo group.  Aren't they gorgeous?  I love them.  The bottom was a surprise from the coordinator.

I had so much fun, I decided to host a few swaps of my own.

The first one is called "Home is Where the Art Is."  In this swap, you will create two ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) that have something to do with where you live.  For example, Debbie in Florida sent me a card with a space shuttle on it.  That is what gave me the idea.  These can be in color and embellished any way you wish as long as they have some Zentangle in them.

The second one is called "Spring Has Sprung."  In this swap, you will create two ATCs with a flower theme.  You can draw a flower and tangle it or create a tangle with flowers in it.  Color is allowed.

So, do you want to play?  You can join the yahoo group or just let me know that you are interested and I will send you my address and all of the other pertinent details
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Art in the Mail!

Yesterday, I got a much needed lift when I got the mail.  Debbie Perdue sent me TWO ATCs.  They are amazing, just what I needed when I needed it.   Aren't they beautiful?

Official CZT, that's me!

I am a CZT!

I met the most amazing people this week in Whitinsville at the CZT seminar: world-renowned artists, teachers, publishers, calligraphers, healers, musicians, book-makers, designers.  If they weren't so incredibly down-to-earth and nice, I would have felt SO intimidated.  If you love Zentangle, do what ever you can to find a way to go to the seminar.  It is life-changing.

Hollywood, Tangled

Well, I couldn't help myself.  Here is one of my "spacey" tangles that I finished.  I now love it.  Guess I've not outgrown the rainbow stage.

Hollywood, tangled.

 Now, isn't that better?

Third Time is Not a Charm

The Diva's challenge this week was certainly a challenge to me. I LOVE looking other people's light and airy tangles. I just can't do them.

Take-1

My first thought was to do something more like zentangle-inspired art instead of a true zentangle. I thought maybe It would be easier if I started with a flower-like string.  This is what I came up with.  Not my style.  Looks half-baked to me.

Evil Eyes

OK - I thought maybe I'd try something somewhat more like a true Zentangle string.  This one I think is a little better, but I don't think very "Zen."  Looks like a bunch of evil eyes.  I know if I "finished" it, that I could salvage it, but that would not meet the challenge.  Back to the drawing board...

Birdie's Tangle - no go

I thought I'd try my DD's original tangle (which I did not do properly, so I was told.)  Clearly, this was going nowhere.  In desperation, I asked her to make a string for me.  She drew the loopiest string in town.  Looked like a plate of spaghetti.  I had the great idea to just leave all of the smaller loops white.  I thought it looked pretty good and was about to pat myself on the back. Then she looked over and said, "Is that what you call space?"  <sigh>

Is That What You Call Space?

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Finally, I tried using a pre-strung tile to my ATC and starting from there.  By this time, my pencil was worn to a nub and everyone was wondering when we would have supper, so it wasn't too hard to just say NO to adding more.

Don't be surprised if you see these at a later time when I've "finished" them!

Artist Trading Cards Again

I've been busy, busy, busy making ATCs all weekend in preparation for tomorrow's pilgrimage to Whitinsville.  Anyone else going?

Here are the new cards:

So, if you've made ATCs, how long do you usually spend on each one? What is the longest you've ever spent on one? Have you ever made any that you loved so much, you couldn't part with?

If usually spend about 45 minutes on them, but the purple one with the buds took over 5 hours. I'm tempted to keep that one because I really like it.

Artist Trading Cards

I just heard about Artist Trading Cards and made a few.  Anyone interested in swapping?  Here are a few of mine.  I did the color one first and then the traditional one.  I discovered that I really like a hint of color and I REALLY like redoing a tangle to improve on it.  My black and white one is one of my faves.