Diva Challenge 7: Breath (and Rhythm!)

Yum. A fresh new tile. A cup of hot tea. A blankie on my lap. 


Creating the ceremony, as Laura Harms reminded us in her new challenge blog entry, is a wonderful part of the Zentangle process. This week's challenge is "breathe," and so much a part of the process as well, although, I have to say, it's one that is hard to remember. I often find myself taking a deep breath or two during a tangle, as if I had forgotten to breath. Don't know why, but that's how it goes.
   As I took the pen in my hand, I paid close attention to my breathing. I became aware of its rhythm and wondered how my hand would play that out onto the tile. A string came immediately with no thought (yum!). Then the ebb and flow of the tangle, Echoism, came into being. Here is where I started...

Each person has their own rhythm and what is a fun or comforting stroke for some, may totally irritate another! It's fun to pay attention to which tangles support your personal rhythm. It's also good to get out of the 'same olds' and try something new. This tangle was not one I had used much, but once I started, it was hard to stop. It really felt like breathing to me... back and forth, in, out, ebb, flow. I almost left it just like this, as simple as a breath.


But my itchy little fingers wanted to keep going, finding all kinds of places to add to the rhythm. Even though visually, I'm not really crazy about the outcome, it was lots of fun getting lost in the minutia of the dance. Sort of like listening to music, and following every single note to its core.

The second one was a little simpler. But just as much fun. Quiet and predictable, just like a breath. Thank you, Laura!