" Dansk " UMT - Weekly Challenge #105

Challenge:  use Tangle Pattern Dansk in a Zentangle® or ZIA.

This challenge reminds me of  our most recent weather event - Blizzard: Nemo - which is just winding down in our little part of the world. 

As they forecast the weather, the meteorologists on The Weather Channel point to the numerous calculations and swirling colors on their weather maps; temperature, rain/snow line, wind direction, etc.  Have you noticed how the **isobar graphics on the weather maps resemble the patterning of Dansk? 


Traditional Zentangle 3.5" sq - Sakura Micron Black 0.25mm & Brown 0.25mm; graphite shading.
 

Tangle pattern Dansk created by Margaret Bremmer, CZT....(and my classmate). 

Weekly Challenge #105 by Laura Harms, CZT.....(also my classmate!)  Great job, ladies.

 

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 Happy tangling...

...and thank you for visiting.

 ~

 

**isobar : a line drawn on a map to indicate areas having the same atmospheric pressure

                 at a given time or for a given period of time    (Merriam Webster www.m-w.com)  



 

"String Theory #003" - Weekly Challenge #104

The TanglePatterns.com guru, Linda Farmer, regularly posts samples of "strings" that have been created by 'we, the people' and submitted to Linda's website.  For this week's challenge, The Diva has chosen String #003 (from TanglePatterns.com).

I wasn't feeling much like staying-in-the-lines this week, so I was expecting to feel very challenged by this week's assignment.  But, instead, I made the string the star of the show, and not the tangles.  And, as usual, the process of creating a Zentangle® was calming, meditative and enjoyable.  It's amazing how the brain adapts to a positive attitude.
Here's what I came up with for this challenge.....

Traditional Zentangle - 3.5" sq tile - Sakura Micron black #01; brown #01; graphite shading

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And, on this Ground Hog Day 2013, Punxsutawney Phil, King of the Groundhogs, did not see his shadow.  So, as legend has it, we can expect an early Spring this year! 

Yes!!! 

But, alas, Phil has made the correct weather prediction only 39% of the time.  Sigh.

 

Happy tangling,

... and thank you for visiting.

 ~

" Moebius Awareness " - Challenge #103

This week's challenge from The Diva, Laura Harms, is a string theory related to Moebius Syndrome Awareness.  Laura's beautiful family has been impacted by this syndrome, and you can read more on Laura's blog.

My interpretation of this challenge:

ZIA - 5" square bristol; Sakura Gel purple; Prismacolor pencils; graphite shading

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Last week I was finishing up my submission to The Sketchbook Project 2013 , sponsored by the Brooklyn Art Library in New York.   And since I had no time to post my entry for last week's challenge (in a timely manner), I opted to post it here, one week late.  Challenge # 102 was a Duo-Tangle:  Auraknot and Bunzo. 

 

                                  Traditional Zentangle - 3.5" square tile; Sakura Micron Black 01; graphite shading

 

 

 

The majority of my work in The Sketchbook Project 2013 is Zentangle®-related.  Okay, maybe not the majority....... but rather all of my work is Zentangle-related.  Here is one of the pages from my sketchbook.

 

                                                 Center Page of Sketchbook  7"x10" - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading

 

The main reason I joined this project is that the project description read, "one does not need to be an artist to participate in The Sketchbook Project 2013. 

 

You should check it out!  After the sketchbooks are cataloged, they go on tour.  And each 'artist' has the option of having his/her sketchbook digitized.  What fun!

 

Brooklyn Art Library http://www.sketchbookproject.com/brooklynartlibrary

 
~ 

Happy tangling....
and thank you for visiting.
 
 
 ~

 

" Keenees " - Challenge #98

The Diva's 98th Challenge is a UMT pattern, Keenees, by Donna Hornsby, CZT.  I often forget about this great orb tangelation, and feel grateful for Laura's tangle 'reminders'.

ZIA -  4.5" square on red cardstock; Sakura Gelly Roll, white/medium; white chalk shading; graphite shading.

Thanks to Donna and Laura!

 

Happy tangling.

 

~

 

" No Strings Attached " - Challenge #97

The Diva dug deep into her bag of tricks to find a  fabulous theme for this challenge!  Many tangles can be penned without a string.  Conversely, many patterns need some sort of string-type-linear-chaperone in order to keep the pen on the right track!   

I usually start in a corner when doing a stringless tangle on a traditional tile.  But for this shape and size, my pen wanted to start in the big empty space in the middle.  And so it did!

I had so much fun with the first one - black on white.  Would white on black be as much fun???  You betcha!



ZIAs- White Bristol & Black Cardstock -(approx. 3" x 8")  Sakura Micron Black #01; Sakura Gelly Roll White Med.; graphite shading

Thanks, Laura!

Happy Tangling.

 

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" Zinger " - Weekly Challenge #96

This week's challenge theme (from the Diva) is "Zinger".... a delightful design that Maria * has been penning for years in her lovely art creations.  It has since become an official tangle from Zentangle® Central. 

Deciding on a design for this challenge was difficult.  I see "Zinger" as an embellishment to a design, not as the focus of a composition.  And with this tunnel-vision interpretation of how to use Zinger, I found it difficult to come up with a plan. 

..... then it hit me.  This is Thanksgiving week.  And my turkey has Zinger-type feathers!  (I just love it when a plan comes together.....).

~  Happy Thanksgiving  ~

ZIA - Bristol 5" square - Sakura Microns Black #'s 005, 01 and Red #01; graphite shading.
 

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,

to enact gratitude is generous and noble,

but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven. " 

J.A. Gaertner

 

*Maria Thomas - co-founder of Zentangle®

 

 

Happy tangling...

... I am grateful for your visit.

 

 

ps:   ♥  Happy Birthday, Hon!!! ♥  I love you! ♥ 

 

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" Bunzo " - Weekly Challenge #93

Zentangle® Central has announced a new fun tangle - "Bunzo" ... and Diva Laura has challenged us to use it in this week's Zentangle or ZIA.  This pattern is so fun!

Although this has been an unusually busy week, I did steal some time to give this new pattern a try.  Being intrigued by the snail-like Bunzo design that Maria created on her tile, I made an attempt to draw a Bunzo variation in a spiral string.  Sheez... it was not easy!!! (for me).  As soon as I understand how to move the Bunzo lines around so that their relationship (to one another) gives the illusion of movement, I will feel more confident.  Drawing this tangle is like dancing... and tapping your toe to the beat of the music.  Cha-cha-cha!

ZIA Bookmark - Bristol 1.5"x6", Sakura Micron Black 01 & 05; graphite shading

Thanks Laura and Maria. 

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

" Stripes " String Theory - Challenge #92

This is a repeat of a challenge we did in May 2011 - and Diva Laura says, "...the challenge is to create a tile or Zentangle® inspired art using Stripes as your string."  The "Stripes" theme has no particular significance - just a fun way to try to squish different tangle designs into a long, narrow string.  Now, there's the fun!! 

I had all good intentions of penning something..... unusual...... with this challenge.  But, alas, a ho-hum ZIA was birthed.  And, as the Zentangle® folks say, 'it is the process that is important'.  This was definitely a good theme for 'process'.

The piece perked-up a bit after adding color.  (Sorta like a push-up bra perks-up a drab, low cut, ho-hum dress!)

ZIA - Bristol 5"x5" - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading; chalk pastels

 

Happy tangling....

... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

" Beads of Courage " - Challenge #91

This is a lovely challenge!  Diva Laura has challenge instructions, photos and a short story about the Beads of Courage on her website.  Beads of Courage Program website is http://www.beadsofcourage.org/pages/beadsofcourage.htm.

Several years ago, the polymer clay guild I belonged to created beads for this program.  It was one of the most rewarding polymer clay projects I have participated in.  (The other polymer clay program that has captured my muse is Bottles of Hope.)  I must admit that my polymer clay has collected lots of dust on the shelf since I found Zentangle®.

ZIA - 6"x6" Bristol - Sakura Micron Black #01; PrismaColor Pencils; graphite shading

Mooka and Dust Bunnies support most of the various tangled beads.

Happy tangling...
and thank you for visiting.

~

 

" String Theory v.8 " - Challenge # 90

Using a string to guide in the placement of tangles (within a Zentangle®) is one of the most unique and clever aspects of the Zentangle® Method of Art.  Dots, lines, string, breathe, focus, pen line, repeat pen line...... and so on.  Diva Laura explains this week's challenge and offers her beautiful Zentangle®  as an example of String Theory v.8.

There is truly no BPS (blank page syndrome) when your string is already created on a pre-strung tile - or when someone else has accomplished the task of string-drawing for you!  Really did love the theme of this Challenge.  Totally zenned-out.

ZIA - Bristol 6"x6" - Sakure Micron Black #01; graphite shading; Prismacolor Pencils

 

 

.....and here is the string, which I rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise before adding tangles.

This string pattern and other strings and tangles are found on Linda Farmer's fabulous Tangle Patterns site. 
Hope you'll visit.



Happy Tangling....

... and thank you for visiting.

~