Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Expectation of Order

It's nice to wake up in the morning and feel like I'm all caught up with things I need to do. Once in a while that happens. On those days, I feel orderly and in control (mmm hmm.) In those moments when things around me feel orderly, it feels like a comfort and a blessing. It's like the feeling when my house has just been cleaned, and all is right with the world. I just want to sit on the couch and enjoy how nice it is just for a minute until I resume what appears to be the chaos of beads and Micron pens. Or the cat decides now is a good time to get rid of the hairball on the nice clean carpet.
   There are different kinds of order. There is order as in the big picture scheme of things, where everything truly is in its place. A big part of me always knows that.  But then there is that self-imposed, 'gotta-get-me-some-comfort' kind of order - the one where I wake up and think I have it oh-so-together. That's my own narrow little view of what I want order to look like in my life and I often move forward with the expectation that things will remain orderly as long as I pay attention and stay in control (mm hmm yeah). Just when I think I know what my  own kind of order is, I get reminded that it's just folly.
   This week's Diva challenge (brought to us by guest challenger, Genevieve Crabe), is to create a zendala (fusion of Zentangle and mandala). She provided a template, which is great, as the start of a zendala is often the daunting part of it. 
   As it was much too early for the sound of my printer on a Monday morning, I didn't trace the provided template, but copied it by hand with pencil on a Zentangle tile. So long, Symmetry! It was then I became aware of my lesson for the day (day/life?) about the expectation of order. Because I had already bypassed the orderly symmetry of the zendala template, I figured I might just be asking myself to let go of my expectations of order, and let something else come through. What appeared to be chaotic on my tile (as opposed to the tidy and symmetrical template provided), would be allowed for as part of the big order of things. I gave myself permission to let go of my version of what order is.
   The magic of a mandala is still there, as it goes round and round, dancing from a center point and moving outward. Letting go was just what I needed. Once my coffee kicked in and I could be with the chirping of my printer, I did print out and trace Genevieve's template. But by that time, the lesson of expectation was still working, and lots of experimenting took place. I will savor the symmetry some other day!
   Thank you Laura, great idea to have guests! Thank you, Genevieve for giving me the right exercise at the exact right time! And thanks to Maria Thomas for inspiring the lacy fun on the second tile.



18 comments:

  1. Quite delightful! I prefer the second one, perhaps because it less orderly, while still being symmetrical. Will have to try out that "lacey" business soon.
    --Margaret

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  2. Wow, both very unique and creative - Nice!

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  3. I have a wedding and reception for my granddaughter coming up in about 4 1/2 weeks here in my back yard and as I read your thoughts about order, I felt panic returning... then when I looked at your work I realized that order helps but the fun of letting it all go and being creative really brings the JOY in. Thank you!

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  4. Cool and courageous! I love them both!

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  5. I think it is great that you made the pattern your own....I find symmetries beautiful but I am never that precise....so I am naturally drawn to your side of the fence. They are beautiful and I am as always inspired by your efforts!

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  6. I love both your tiles and especially the story that goes with them. Imagine if we could all just "let go' a little more. Amazing things could happen!

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  7. Carole, for me reading your thoughtful words and exploring your tangled creations adds to the excitement of meeting you in October.

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  8. These are beautiful. Very nice, indeed. I just love the differences and that lacy airy feel of the second one.

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  9. Beautiful, and a great lesson for me. zentangle takes us beyond the well-known path to explore our creativity.

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  10. found your blog today - lucky me! never heard of zentangles but love it- looked at the art on my walls and realized my favorite artist incorporated the idea of zentangles in her work - I am also going to find a way to incorporate it in my beadwork - thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. I absolutely LOVE the second one. It has such a beautiful and free feeling to it. The way the white lace stands out on both the white and black backgrounds is amazing. Very inspirational.

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  12. Love the negative space in the first one. Very unique.

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  13. Great ideas in both. I love the lace too.

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  14. These zendalas are exploding!!! Love them.

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  15. Wow, again! Your talent and creativity is oozing though these zendalas.

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