More curves...I can't help myself!

I can't stop sketching curves! Here are a few more pieces of ZIA inspired by the weekly challenge. Since I had problems with my scanner I've been photographing my work. Unfortunately, I am unable to get out of my own way...thus explaining the shadow. Perhaps I could have let you think it was a skillful shading, but I'm not that good! Ha Ha

This one looks futeristic to me so I named it "Space Odyssey." What do you think if the use of wiggly lines with the Nipa tangle?

I named this next one "More curves" it is another piece that I played with early on right after the challenge topic was announced.

Finally, I call this last one "Tossed at sea" because when it was done it reminded me of an old wooden ship with sails. What do you see in this one?

I'm lovin' my curves, baby!

Diva Laura has done it again, this week's challenge: "Love your curves, baby," called on us to use only curved lines...a curved string paired with curved tangles and curved lines...WHEW! what a relief after the previous challenge to only use straight lines. I found this much easier--my pen seemed to flow across the tile (or page in some cases). Here are a few examples of the fun I'm having this week. As always, I would appreciate your feedback.

I am very pleased with how this piece turned out. I did not use a string; however all of the tangles are constructed of curved lines. Even the shapes in the center--they may look like they are made of straight lines, but I tried to make each line concave or convex. I do not have a title for this one yet.

I call this one "Going in circles." It is my first response to the challenge. I was really just playing around and I think that the lack of seriousness shines through. I drew this in my sketchbook, so the other edge (the only straight-ish lines) are the ones that I drew ti mimic the edges of a 3.5 x. 3.5 tile.

I have a few more that I have created in response to the challenge and will try to post them later.

Experiment

I have noticed that some of my fellow tanglers have created tile ensembles. One type is created by framing tiles created in workshops in 3x3, 4x4, 5x5 etc arrangements. The result is quite lovely. Another type of ensemble is created by laying blank tiles side-by-side, drawing a string over all of the tiles in the set, then drawing the tangles on each (without referring to any of the other tiles in the set). After all of the designs are complete the set is reassembled. I experimented with this second type of ensemble and the result is shown here. What do you think?

What happened to spring?

Less than a week ago we welcomed the official arrival of spring and the weather forecast for tomorrow predicts an inch of snow. This is when I really feel homesick. In Louisiana spring has fully arrived in all of her glory. When I close my eyes I see the beautiful azalea blooms that were the landscape of my childhood.

I picture the old, heirloom plants that thickly lined the fence. The bushes were so heavy with blooms that you could heardly see the leaves for the shades of fuscia, pink or lavender. Nearby dogwood and japanese magnolia trees contributed their tender blossoms to the vision creating an explosion of color everywhere.

Shades of yellow, white and green from plants and flowers who's names I have long forgotten added offerings to the scene. Ah, to be surrounded by the beauty of a Louisiana spring.

Star Gazing Part Deaux

When I got home from work this evening I was anxious to re-do the "Star Gazing" piece. (See first attempt in previous entry.) I think this one is better, but again I have spots that I do not care for. Using a straight-edge definately made a difference with the border. What do you think? I added color to version 1 and will also color this one at some point. This time, instead of using colored pencils I might give this one a watercolor wash. Hmmmm, that might be interesting.

Star Gazing

This is the result of doodling while watching American Idol last night. Perhaps I was influenced by the notion that I was watching the creation of a future star. There are parts of this that I really like, and other parts not so much. When I began, the intention was to fill the entire star space with big flowers such as you see on the points, somehow I lost that plan along the way. If I had a do-over I think I would stick to the original plan. I'm trying to hold true to working freehand as suggested by Rick and Maria; at the same time, I know this piece in particular would have benefited from the use of a ruler. I was working in my sketchbook and did use a stencil to create the initial string. I think I want to add color to this one, so I took this black and white photo so I can later compare the before and after. As always, I welcome your critique:

UPDATE

Here is the same piece with a touch of color. I used Prismacolor pencils.

I walk the line

Here are my initial attempts at the Diva's challenge. The challenge is to draw only using straight lines. As you can see, my work is rather primitive. I think that I work too quickly. If I can develop the habit of drawing in a slow, methodical way I think my stokes will be cleaner and the overall design more cohesive. Well, that is my personal critique--as a newbie to Zentangle I welcome your feedback.

I titled this first one "Constrained" as in constrained by the straight lines. The idea was for the focal point image to be tied down (held back) by the outer lines.

I elected to go very simple in the second attempt titled "Lightning Strike."

Finally, with "I walk the line" I decided to stick with straight edge tangle patterns.

A Name is just a name

I'm beginning to think that coming up with names for my ZIA is more difficult than drawing the tangles. Ha Ha here is an example of a recent creation:

"The sun also rises"? What was I thinking?

One hot mess...a.k.a Diva's Challenge #13

Oh lucky me, I picked last week to plunge in and begin participating in the the Diva's weekly challenge. Turned out that my attempts were one big ole hot mess!

For challenge #13 she pushed us to create Zentangle inspired art using our non-dominant hand, for me that meant using my left hand. WHAT?!?!?! it is difficult enough for me to draw with my RIGHT hand! Ha Ha! I was not looking forward to diving in to this piece--I doubt my attitude helped the outcome. Regardless, I'm not making any of my attempts public.

This week the new challenge is to create the design only using straight line tangles. I tend to use more curvy tangles as they can hide a multitude of sins. This is another daunting challenge for a newbie, but I WILL post something to share.

Until then....it is what it is!

Whimsical

Here are two new Zentangles from the weekend.

This first piece is called "Whimsy." It is the first time I did not feel compelled to fill the entire page. I think all of the white space sets it off nicely. There is also quite a bit of shading in this one--a technique which, of course, is lost in the scan.

I titled this second piece "Open Net." I did not set out to have the ragged edge to the netting, it just sort of happened. Once it did I thought having the fun elements floating out added a new dimension.

This and that

It was a busy weekend. As you can see I did some renovations around here at my blog homestead. I have loved purple for as long as I can remember. Speaking of purple, when I was in the 5th grade I insisted that my Mom buy me a purple outfit that I just loved. [chuckle] I can't say it was very stylish, but I wore it proudly just the same.

I also created an account on flickr:
So far the images there are the same ones that are here. I'll let you know when I post something new.

In addition to playing on the computer, I also did a lot of Zen-doodling yesterday. I haven't had time to scan anything yet, but hope to have something uploaded for you to see by the end of the day.

Wishing you the best!

Zentangle Questions

Welcome to all of my new Zentangle friends who are finding their way to my humble blog via Sandra's "Life Imitates Doodles" space. I've been quietly observing the beautiful tangles and creations that many of you have posted as I practice the art of Zentangle. I have a few questions and I hope that you will take a few minutes to share your thoughts.

1. Are you really creating your work freehand? I see lovely straight lines and am wondering if you actually lightly sketch a pencil grid on the tile before you begin. Otherwise, how do you consistently draw such straight lines?

2. From what I've read at Zentangle.com and in the books by Suzanne McNeil and Sandra Bartholomew the choice of tangles that are used in each piece is random. At the same time it looks like some tangles just go together better than others. What rule of thumb do you use when selecting the tangles that you use?

3. Related to the above question, do you plan each tile before you begin from the string to the tangles used or do you simply go with the flow?

Thank you in advance for your tips.

Tragedy in Japan

My heart is full as I think of the people of Japan and the devastation in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami. Nature's force has wreaked havoc resulting in a yet unknown number of deaths. It is difficult to make sense of the images that pour across the screen. I hope that the Japanese feel our thoughts, prayers and encouragement circling the globe to reach them. May they find peace in the midst of the turmoil.

B's Border

Here is another tangle that I came up with last night. My scanner is not of a high quality so the example loses quite a lot of detail. The shading is lost.

Zentangle Tile

It may not be obvious, but most of my Zentangle inspired pieces are done on full size (8.5 x 11) sheets of paper. The creators of this art form promote doodling on 3.5 x. 3.5 tiles. I like to work on a larger canvas because it is easier for me to see the detail and I can use thicker lines. I have done a few tiles, here is an example of one I completed recently.

Happy Monday

I spent the weekend playing with a few new designs. It is amazing how relaxing this practice can be. Here are a couple of the pieces that I have finished.

I named this first one "Longing for Spring"

This one is called "A bit of color"

My 1st Tangle Design

I am more than a little OCD and I never know when or what will drive me to a new obsession. Right now my obsession is Zentangle...not just drawing them, but trying to find ALL of the different named designs that others have created. There are over a thousand that I know of and more are being created all of the time. In fact, last night I created one of my own--at least I think I did. If this looks familiar to anyone because the pattern already exists please let me know. It was inspired by blocks I noticed on the wall in the apartment of a TV character--Kevin on The Young and the Restless. [Yes, I can admit that watching Y&R is a guilty pleasure. I do not get to watch it everyday--I was home sick when I was watching and noticed the wall pattern. How many times I I seen the same wall, but never noticed the design? I love that Zentangle makes me more observant!]

I also have a completed design that incorporates several different tangles. I'll post it for you next week.

Finding Zen

I have exceeded my goal to complete at least one Zentagle a day. I'm creating 3 to 5 pieces a day. There are so many beautiful pieces on the Web created by skilled Zentangle artists that I hesitate to post any of my work, but I will so we will have a starting point to compare as I practice and hopefully improve.