Zentangles

20100626_Zentangle Click to see this photo's flickr page

When I saw my buddy Karen Blados's zentangle , I was instantly curious *and* inspired! After a quick internet search, this is what I discovered:

The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.

From the website:

"What is Zentangle?

Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is a fascinating new art form that is fun and relaxing. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. Zentangle is enjoyed by a wide range of skills and ages and is used in many fields of interest.

We believe that life is an art form and that Zentangle is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life. Explore our web site and learn how you can use this wonderful and uplifting discovery."

There are lovely examples on their blog as well zentangle.blogspot.com/

I have to admit that I haven't taken a course or gone through the workbook and am just winging it after looking through the website. I love the idea of meditative doodling and it's been a very nice way to start the day. I'm a wee bit tempted to become a Certified Zentangle teacher or attend a Zentangle Master Class. [sigh]
See a few more that I've done at my Zentangle set .

After making it up as I went along, I found a Squidoo lens that explains how to make your own zentangle. Why don't you give it a try? ;-)
www.squidoo.com/how-to-zentangle.

Don't ask

Alien squid attacks my music Click to see this photo's flickr page

Is it Friday yet? This was done well before all my late-night/early-morning work, before Illustrator decided to just stop working, and done wayyyy before I choose what to imbibe later with dinner tonight.

I know, you don't believe me.

Work doesn't make me crazy (or, demented, or, whatever); I start off that way. Maybe it's the work that actually makes me sane(r). I don't know. I think Illustrator has it figured out juuu-ust about right: It's time to stop and re-boot. I'm going to head to the shower and then have some coffee. And then sort through the stuff that's left to do.

You guys have a great weekend. Be safe: Watch out for those (miniature) alien squid out there.

Bananas, everywhere

We've had the tangelo too long! Iick!


Who knows? Still got the bananas and tangelo on my mind, I guess.

I’d like to say that I enjoyed the long weekend (I was one of those lucky ones that got Columbus Day off), drawing and painting and meandering.

But, my whateveritis allergy is threatening to become a full-blown cold (“Oh, maybe it’s a cold!”), complete with that worn-down feeling and a cough.

And my left eye isn’t really liking the new contact lens, even after a couple of months.

So, I’m tired and congested and not seeing things as clearly as I ought to be (what a metaphor, huh?). You might think I’m being cheeky, winking at you, but really, I’m just trying to see if I can get my contact lens to settle in …

So I’m not feeling the ‘drawing and painting and meandering’ so much, at the moment. Going to try and find some hot apple cider and take it easy…

[Sigh]

Not so random

"What's this? It's ... so ... random."

Whatever you think I might be up to, no, it's not completely random. I started working through the book Drawing from the Mind, Painting from the Heart by Annette Carroll Compton. See a review here.


house, tree, boat, dog, chair


cat, pencil, bottle, flower, bed

We're using a number of different media, to see which 'feels' the best. I'm going to play with more - graphic markers, graphite pencils, thinner pens. Last semester, I found myself using the word 'play' a lot in class - - I'd tell my beginning design students to 'play' with different media. I don't intend that to imply that any of it or the profession itself is lesser in value or stature, of course (you know me better than that). I'm sure it has a great deal to do with the sheer joy that I feel when I can take a brush, pen or pencil in hand.

Anyway, I was doodling these for, maybe, 10 minutes, tops, and when I stopped, I went,
"Oh. Well, now. This is telling".

I can tell working through the book is going to be interesting.

fANSI dims

Some days, separate scraps of paper cross paths, and the relationships between them become crystal clear. So then, how’s about this?


don't ask

It’s as if separate thoughts that have been gestating fitfully finally take form and emerge, clear and purposeful. You may have felt unsure, uncertain; but the truth is, really, always inside of us.

Just go out there and do what you have to do. - Martina Navratilova


It’s been a tough week; think I’ll call it early. You guys have a great weekend out there.
xox
-w
ilyb