Monday, August 18, 2014

Diva Challenge #174

The Diva Challenge #174 was to use superimposing strings. Here's my tile with strings only.


And after about 28 minutes (I decided to time myself to see how long it really takes me to make a completed tile), here is the tile without shading.


After about 5 minutes of shading, below. I'm really trying to be more aggressive with my shading because I just haven't yet felt that it was "right" when it was finished. Since there is no right/wrong that's not quite the right word but you get the point.


I decided it needed something more at the top so added some Hollibaugh, below.


For a completely totally finished tile in approximately 40 minutes. So there you have it.

Today is also the day I began the Zentangle tile gallery in the dining room, with tiles by everyone in my family and one by Maria Thomas for good measure.

ZenFriday


I'm not sure what I want to share this week. There's just so much. I went to Seminar in Providence, Rhode Island at the beginning of this week to be certified as a Zentangle Teacher. I really did not know exactly what to expect since I didn't know anyone personally who has gone through the experience, nor did I already know anyone who would be there.

One conclusion is that this was the most generous conference/seminar experience I have ever had. (Yes, of course I paid for the experience, yet) The hotel accommodations were exceptional (well done  Hotel Providence!), the food was fantastic at every single meal, and the tools, supplies, and resources that were shared with us were well beyond what I would normally expect to receive.

Even beyond that, by the second day it was clear that not only were Rick and Maria there to teach us to draw in a Zentangle way, and to teach us how to teach, but it truly felt like they were welcoming each one of us into their family. That's the only way I can explain the level of generosity and kindness with which they share.

I've spent the two days since arriving home in a bit of a bubble, not sharing too much all at once with Jon because I felt like if I shared too much all at once, the bubble would pop, and the experience would vanish. Now that I've started sharing I realize that the bubble won't vanish but it will grow to encompass everyone with whom I'm able to share Zentangle.

I think that's going to be enough sharing for now. I'm better for having gone and I'm looking forward to sharing what I've learned with others and learning more about Zentangle along the way. Classes coming soon!

(click on the images to see them larger)

#ZenFriday

It's your weekly #ZenFriday post along with the Diva Challenge #164 this week. The challenge was to take inspiration from the earth for Earth Day. This tile started out roundish with some latitude-ish and longitude-ish lines and went completely awry from there. Isn't that just always the way.


I've also found this week that I really wanted to fill up that entire tile. Not sure what that was about but there you have it.

Please feel free to leave your own link in the comments for ZenFriday. I'll look forward to visiting.

#ZenFriday

This week I've discovered (or perhaps remembered) that I really enjoy doing "slow" things. Or more correctly, doing things slowly. 

I really like to spend big chunks of time tangling. I really like to take walks through our neighborhood slowly. I actually like to cook and serve dinner, when I can do it calmly and slowly. 

My new goal is to do more of the things that I have to do and want to do in a "slow" way. 

I hope that you'll join in on the ZenFriday fun by leaving a comment and/or a link in the comments to your own ZenFriday post. It can be a blog post, or a picture on Flickr or Instagram. Whatever. Just share with us all how you approach ZenFriday. 

Here's my Zentangle tile for this ZenFriday.  Have a great weekend everyone and please share your link! 

Because YOU'RE AWESOME

Hey Friends. I have a gift to send to you. 


Anyone who donates to TEAM TARA for the 2014 MS Walk in South Bend, IN will receive one of my Zentangle art tiles. They're small, just 3.5" x 3.5", but they're beautiful, if I do say so myself. You can put it on your bulletin board at work and when someone asks about it you can say you got it because you're awesome.

And you can tell them you got it because you donated to important research that helps people live with Multiple Sclerosis.

Just make a donation of any amount between now and Saturday, May 3rd (race day), and I'll send a tile right out to you. If I don't know you personally, you'll have to send me your mailing address (jencrutch at gmail dot com). Or use any of the contact methods in the right sidebar (twitter and Facebook both work great).

Click here to donate and/or join our team. If you're local, I hope to see you on race day!

Diva Challenge - Rixty



I honestly find that I usually don't have much to say about what I've drawn. I guess I'll just leave that up to others. The only thing about this one is that it took me FOR EVER. I'm not sure why except that I couldn't decide which tangles to use. The more tangles I'm aware of the more I think that there must be a better one to use than the one I'm about to choose. Gonna have to get over that.

Check out the weekly challenge here.

Diva Challenge - Initials


The Diva Challenge this week is to use your initials for your string. If you look closely you'll see my lower case jc in there. Above is without shading. Below is with shading.