The Challenge of String Theory

This week, Laura-the-Diva provided us a string, to be filled with tangles of our choice. As usual, I had a little struggle with "over-thinking," but managed to get beyond it pretty quickly.

The next challenge was to translate Her String to My This took several tries, since I sometimes fight with my technology. Eventually I managed to copy the picture, and resize it appropriately. I actually did this in a Word document! Then I printed it on regular printer paper, and colored the back with pencil: the old "poor-woman's carbon paper." Laid it on a tile and drew over the string lines, and Voila!

As you may have noticed, I'm currently very enamored of  PokeRoot.

I Really want to try it with some color. The color of the Poke berry is a deep rich purple.

Medicinally, they are very detoxifying to the lymphatic system (but must be used Only under the advice of a qualified professional! They can be toxic if not taken properly)

In the garden, the poke weed is extremely invasive and has an amazing root, which can be all but impossible to eradicate. Trust me~ I've tried!

It's Late: I have to go to work!! Looking forward to Saturday, when I can look at all the Challenge entries.
and a visit from the Blue Ridge Woman on Sunday!

Oh, How Young!!

Recently Maria Thomas wrote in the Zentangle Blog:

  "One benefit of a 40 year-old studio is instant access to

all sorts of artist "toys" I've collected over decades--"

I have to agree: years of trying different media, gathering supplies, and generally having a wonderful time!

Not long ago, I was wandering through a local Big Box Craft Store, when a couple of young women passed me in the aisle. They were probably college-age, and I heard one of them say to the other in pride and amazement: "I have an entire drawer in my desk, absolutely FULL of craft supplies!"

I chuckled quietly and thought to myself, "Oh, they are So Young! I have entire Rooms!!"
(and being far less organized than Maria, I generally can't find ANYTHING)
My goal is to clear out and organize all my supplies. Maybe then I'll have a Big Yard Sale! Anyone want to come?

Oh, goodness! I just recalled: somewhere in storage I have the contents of my late sister-in-law's craft room, too. Guess I'd better get to work!

But FIRST, to the Diva's Challenge #23 "String Theory!" She has provided a string, we get to add tangles. Looks like loads of fun! See you later this week.

Elegance of Limits

In Zentangle, we speak of the Elegance of Limits: the small 3.5x3.5 inch tile, the string defining the limits of our drawing, the black-on-white freeing us from color decisions. . .

Of course, we also recognize our ability to "color outside the lines." We can Tangle on a larger page. We can extend our tangles beyond our string to the edges of the tile, or even spill over onto the back! We can create Zentangle Inspired Art on other surfaces, either 2-or 3-dimensional. We can choose to add  Color. The possibilities inspired by Zentangle are endless!

Yesterday I sat down with my Large (9x12 inch) sketch book, to begin thinking on a project. A local micro-brewery is sponsoring a "Beer Coaster Art Contest!" What fun! A beer coaster (or beer mat) is about 4 inches square, and has a lovely, slightly porous surface. How perfect for ZIA!!

But at this point, I was "just thinking" with a pen and paper. As often happens my tangling got beyond my control, and took on a life of its own. I did not draw a string, just began making tangles.

I'm going to call this "The Lushness of Lack of Limits." It reminds me of the overblown opulence of High Summer!
Now I'm thinking of adding Color!

But I'm supposed to be at work, so I'd better get moving   : ). I'd MUCH rather stay home and Tangle.

Out of Focus (OoF)

In the recent Zentangle newsletter Rick gave us a new tangle, OoF, inspired by a window at The Cloisters, a NY museum I've always wanted to see! (also influenced by Rick's lack of visual acuity without his glasses:thus the name: Out of Focus)

And of course, Laura-the-Diva challenges us to USE this new tangle in Challenge #21 at her I am the Diva blog.

I skipped last week's Royal Wedding Challenge: time constraints, AND I was completely overwhelmed by the opulence of it all!

This week's Challenge was a little more manageable for me: I've done 2 tiles and could do more with this, but I'm out of time (again, as usual). This one is fun: you have to pay some attention to get the arcs right, so it's not SuperSimple, but it's not so complex that I had trouble wrapping my brain around it!

I like the way it works with Bales.

I want to play with this some more: try a little more relaxed approach. I feel that I'm still a little too "stiff" with it.
Ahhh well, another excuse to tangle. As if I needed one!