Peace of Art

In viewing the new Zentangle "Betweed" video by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, I am reminded once again of how peaceful the Zentangle process is. Watching Maria's hand float across the paper in a rhythmic and deliberate way, I find myself mesmerized by the process itself, not to mention Maria's lovely marks. This is why I love this art form! Thanks Rick and Maria!

Lights Shine

Every October for the past few years, my sister, Cathy Helmers, and I have set up a booth at the Universal Light Expo in Columbus Ohio. In the past years, Cathy sold her beautiful beaded spirit dolls, and I sold my beaded jewelry. As many people who have a creative passion in some kind of medium will tell you, it often evolves or even morphs into a different medium altogether. Always related, as things inherently are, we move into the "next thing" that strikes our fancy.
    Ok, so Zentangle struck our fancy. You knew where I was going, right?
    This year at the Expo, most of what we offer has a Zentangle inspiration behind it. Cathy will still have her beaded spirit dolls, but she has really taken to this meditative art form and has applied it to include dolls, 3d objects, and even fabric that she designs with Zentangle patterns. My friend and fellow CZT, Peg Farmer, and I will be offering mini classes right in the booth, for those new to the art of Zentangle. We will also have Zentangle supplies for sale. A large community Zendala will be available for anyone who wants to add their mark.
   We are excited about our adventure. The ULE is the largest all-volunteer metaphysical expo in the Midwest. The people are wonderful and there is lots to do! If you're in the neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio on October 9 and 10, come visit!!
   Here are a few of the beautiful items that Cathy has created...

Lotsadots Steps

Lotsadots can also be left with the dots unconnected by lines (see yesterday's post). There is something about connecting the dots that is fun (takes me back to my coloring book days...I can almost smell the crayons!), but if you are in the mood for something a little lighter, leave just the dots. After a while, the dots will tell you where they want more dotty friends, so make sure you listen to your tile... 

Playin' with Lotsadots

My fellow CZT, Peg Farmer, came up with a name for the tangle that appears on the edges of this tile. It was inspired by a piece of fabric in my quilting friend, Cathy Jeffers' new quilt. Thanks, girls!!

Dreaming

Daved and I took a little ride to Selma Indiana to visit Oakwood Retreat Center. It's part of a working farm called Rainbow Farm... way in the middle of what seemed like nowhere. Perfect place for a Zentangle weekend retreat. So we are a'dreamin' of what shape that would take. Ideas have floated forth and some have popped away to make room for more ideas. Just the thought of a weekend filled with Zentangle lovers just makes me smile. On a Monday morning, that's a good thing.

Do Si Do

If I tried to plan it, it could never be what it was.


Four people doing the same tangles, with the same string. Kind of a plan, there, but who knew it would bear the beautiful designs that appeared as we lay the tiles on the floor for their final "portrait." As we gathered around them, one of the students noticed the pattern that the four tiles created when they were grouped for their shot. Just as a quilt reveals its new patterns when the blocks are connected, this group had that same quality, as you can see by the photos below.
  We excitedly shifted them around, making new patterns with each moved position. As the tiles did their do-si-do, changing partners and corners and shifting side to side and spinning around, there were people visiting the gallery (where our classes are held) who now really wanted to know, "What is Zentangle?"
    It seemed miraculous that the tiles played together the way they did. It was such a surprise, that I could barely stop staring at our little batch of lovelies. It's not uncommon to have this part of the class be exciting... it's a powerful thing to see each individual's work together, the same, and different, all at once. But something about this group was different and I won't even try to speculate on why. The planets were just lined up and this is what happened. 


The "not planning" of the Zentangle process is, for me, its most enchanting quality. As we clear out and leave behind what we might want to accomplish with a particular tile, we allow room for what can be, and for what is. Yes, the students followed the same "plan", but if I had planned that final portrait design (which I would be really tempted to do next time!), the ENERGY of the surprise and delight would not have had a chance to emerge. And the do-si-do might become just another mechanically danced footstep.

Paradox

Paradox: a tangle that is full of surprises, and for all of its straight lines, can create quite a dimensional little stir. It's one of my favorites on those days when a straight line with black ink is just what the doctor ordered. This one was started a month or so ago. It sat in my pile of tiles on my desk in the form of scrawny little lines all connected. Not much form or life until tonight, it seemed like a lot of fun to do some coloring in. With a Micron .08, I began coloring in the slivers around the edge to frame it, and ended up liking the middle twists unfilled. It's also great fun to shade this tangle. To learn how to do this tangle, click this link to zentangle.com.


I love a paradox in all its forms.