Diva Weekly Challenge #248: "Give the Gift of Zentangle"

I can’t believe its been three months since my last post in October when I had tried to take part in the Inktober challenge. I thought I would draw and post each day, but it didn’t happen. Oh well, life gets hectic and you just have to keep on trying. ;) It’s been a crazy busy time of year for me. This fall was my first opportunity to teach  Zentangle classes at my local community art center, the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) in Auburn, AL. It was amazing and lots of fun! But it was also very challenging to do while working full time and raising my family. Also, during the fall, I worked on my Zentangle inspired domino jewelry and art for our community’s 9th Annual Holiday Art Sale. It was lots of fun too, but now I’m ready for a Holiday break just like the Diva. 

This week’s Diva Challenge #248 is “Give the Gift of Zentangle!” The Diva was inspired by the gold heart series done by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. She created unique Zentangle gifts for her son’s teachers by creating gold hearts on bijou tiles and tangled around them. She placed the bijou tiles in ornament frames from Michaels. They look spectacular! Inspired by her approach, I tangled some bijou tiles of my own, but instead of gold hearts I did heart gems. There’s a great tutorial on how to create gems here. I gave my bijou tiles to a friend, who loves Zentangle as much as I do!

Hope you enjoy them. Happy Holidays and have a wonderful New Year’s! :)

Diva Challenges #248

My booth from the Holiday Art Sale

Inktober - Days 4, 5, & Treasure!

Well, I got a little behind on posting each day for Inktober, but am still determined to continue drawing something everyday in each square of my calendar. I drew another cat for days 4 and 5 and had fun tangling inside its oversized tail. I also added more spider webs which are so much fun to draw. 

Tuesday's drawing of a tangled box with flux is special because it is symbolic of a gift I ordered for myself  from Kelly Barone's brand new website called Tangle Trove™. It is a very exciting project for tanglers to be a part of. Love the idea of ordering some treasure for myself each month. :)

#TangleTroves
#InkTober

Inktober Day 3

Here's my spider web doodle for day 3 for Inktober. I love the idea of inking in each square on my calendar everyday with a drawing. It will be fun to see how I progress over the month.
#InkTober

InkTober 2015 Challenge has Begun!

HJ's Drawings for InkTober - Days 1-2

Jake Parker created InkTober in 2009 to improve his inking and drawing skills. It has become a global event and many artist join in the fun. 

This will be my first InkTober challenge and I am very excited to have fun with it. I decided to create an October calendar with squares as a template and prompt to draw something everyday for this challenge. I am posting my Inktober calendar with the first two days inked in.
#InkTober

Tangling Pumpkins!

Zentangle 101 - Week 3

Getting geared up for October fun, we tangled up some pumpkins in our Zentangle 101 class (3rd week) last Wednesday night. I love how everyone's pumpkins turned out! We had fun we using our favorite tangles and then added our own twist on some patterns that included ghosts, eyeballs, spider webs, and candy corn.

Inchie "Myth" and Tangle on Something Unexpected!!

I finally got myself organized to do two creative art challenges! Woohoo! I've been trying to figure out this fall how to juggle working full-time, teaching Zentangle on Wednesday nights (which is super fun) and of course being there for my family. ;) 

I've missed participating in both the Every Inchie Monday challenge and the Diva's Weekly challenge. It's been way too long. They are always so much fun to do! Here are my entries.

This week's theme for Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Myth." I decided to draw a flying broom, since one of my favorite holidays is coming up next month.  

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #236 is "Tangle on Something Unexpected!" I've seen other people tangle on leaves before and decided to try it out for myself. I'm really happy with my leaf. :) 

Hope you enjoy them and have a wonderful upcoming week. :)

String Theory Class with Great Purks!

Zentangle 101 - Week 2

We had a great String Theory Class this past Wednesday night with some great Purks! Check out these beautiful creations featuring the lovely tangle, Purk, in the accompaniment of other merry tangles. Stay tuned for a fun holiday inspired project that my students will be doing next Wednesday. :)

My First Zentangle Class was a Blast!

This past summer I went Providence, RI to become a CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher). The experience of attending CZT Seminar 21 and being welcomed into the Zentangle family was awesome! I'm so happy I had the amazing opportunity to go and am so thankful for the love and support of my extended family and friends. Thank you! :)

Now that I'm an official CZT, I was able to teach my first Zentangle class at my local community art center (Jan Dempsey Community Art Center, Auburn, AL) this past Wednesday, September 16. It was so much fun! I've had a couple of practice classes with family and friends over the summer too. Here are some pictures from both my first class and practice classes. (Sorry I've been away from blogging for so long. Just had a lot on my plate ;)

Zentangle 101 - Week 1 Class

We had such a great time Wednesday night! I have 3 students and they created 2 tiles each using patterns Crescent Moon, Hollibaugh, Bales, Printemps, Shattuck, 'Nzeppel, and Diva Dance (one of my favorites). Their tiles look amazing! Wonderful job ladies! :)

My students' amazing work

My lovely Aunties!

My practice classes with family & friends over the summer

My two teens (on the right) with our friends, the Hong family 

A close up of their awesome tiles!

Some more fun practice tangling with friends!

A closeup of these lovely ladies' beautiful tiles!

Zentangle Prayers for Hayden and EIM - Energy (Positive)

This is my Zentangle Prayer tile for Hayden, a 3 year old girl who is fighting for her life after being diagnosed with Reticular Blastoma. Cari Sultanik (CZT 18) has created a Facebook page, Zentangle Prayers for Hayden for people to post their art and send their prayers and positive energy to Hayden and her family. There are so many wonderful submissions of love and support going out. Please check out the FB page for Hayden at https://www.facebook.com/ZentangleforHayden or visit Cari's blog at http://zenhenna.com/artforhayden/ to see more about creating positive art to support this beautiful little girl and her family.

This week's theme for Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Energy."  My inchie has a small heart radiating out with positive energy and prayers for Hayden and her family.

EIM - Apple, Diva #223 - "UMBLE" & CZT 21!

YES, I'M GOING TO CZT 21! :) I'm going to Providence, RI to become a CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher). I'm super excited and can hardly wait for Sunday to come. It's like waiting for Christmas. This will be my first time traveling by myself. So, this will be quite an adventure. ;) Well, I'm off to do some packing. Hope you enjoy my entries. Happy Friday!

This week's theme for Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Apple."  I had fun using my Chameleon pens for this one.

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #223 is "Official Tangle - UMBLE!" 

EIM - "Etna" and the Diva's Weekly Challenge #222 - "Colours of the Rainbow!"

This week's theme for Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Etna."  After googling the word Etna, I quickly learned that Mount Etna is a volcano in Sicily, Italy. It is Europe's largest and most active volcano. I really enjoyed looking at all the amazing artists' interpretations of Mount Etna exploding at Every Inchie Monday this week! It's always a fun challenge to do.

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #222 is "Colours of the Rainbow!" Last week, I started on a tile for the Diva's Challenge #221: "Beads of Courage" that I didn't get to finish, so I decided to finish the tile for this week's challenge since it was in color. I always look forward to the Diva's challenge each week and reading about her lovely family. I always feel inspired after looking at everyone's entries too.

Hope you enjoy them. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend! :)

EIM - "Etna"

Diva's Weekly Challenge #222 - "Colours of the Rainbow!"

EIM - "Wave" and "Diagram"

I'm back! I can't believe its been over a month since my last post. I had family visiting last month and a bunch of end of the school year events for my kids. Its been super busy, but fun! I hadn't stopped creating art though, just took a little break from posting. ;)  

This week's theme for Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Wave."  I'm also including my Fibonacci Spiral Diagram inchie that I did a while back, but didn't get a chance to post.

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pen (.005 and .005) in blue and purple 
Gelly Roll pen in blue and purple from the Stardust pack

Paper: White Cardstock 80-lb

EIM - "Leopard" and Others

This week's theme for Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Leopard."  I finally got a chance to get caught up this week on my inchies. :) I've included "Shell" and "Octopus" from the previous weeks.   

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pen (.01 and .005) in black, Sakura Permapaque Opaque Metallic Markers in Gold and Bronze

Paper: White Cardstock 80-lb

Every Inchie Monday - "Gecko"

I love this week's theme for Every Inchie Monday Challenge which is "Gecko."  The subject matter is so much fun to draw. All the gecko art submissions at EIM look so amazing! I decided to do two geckos and a gecko inspired flower. I used the tangle Diva Dance in the background. I think the pattern creates a lot of happy energy in my inchies.   

Tangles Used: Diva Dance, a Zentangle®-original by Maria Thomas; Chebucto and Copada by Margaret Bremner

Pens: Royal Blue (BL6),  Grass Green (GR#) and Summer Sun (YL2) from the 5 Pen Primary Tones Set by Chameleon Color Tones, permanent alcohol ink pen system; Sakura Pigma Micron pen (.005) in black

Paper: White Cardstock 80-lb

My favorite one of the three

Every Inchie Monday - "Knitting"

Last week's Every Inchie Monday Challenge was "Knitting."  After seeing what others did, I decided to try the tangle Knyt by Lyndel Churchill. I thought it would be the closest thing I could come to knitting. I know its late, but here's my inchie. 

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pen and brush (.01) in Sepia and Black; No. 2 Pencil
Paper: White Cardstock 80-lb

Every Inchie Monday - "Oak" and Inside My Sketchbook for Friday

Every Inchie Monday - "Oak"

This week's Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Oak." I was inspired by Michele Beauchamp's Oke pattern for my inchie. I drew my leaves a little more curly and added some Diva Dance in the background. I had done several studies and liked how this one turned out. I think it was the Diva Dance pattern in the background that makes the oak leaves look so happy.

Tangles Used: Tipple, a Zentangle®-original; Diva Dance, a Zentangle®-original by Maria Thomas; and Oke by Michel Beauchamp

Pens: Royal Blue (BL6) and Grass Green (GR#) from the 5 Pen Primary Tones Set by Chameleon Color Tones, permanent alcohol ink pen system; Sakura Pigma Micron pen (.005) in black and brush in Sepia

Paper: White Cardstock 80-lb

Inside My Sketchbook for Friday

This is my first time participating in Joey's Inside My Sketchbook Link Up for Friday. I decided to show a ZIA drawing that I've been working on since before Christmas. I would work on it a little bit at a time.I finally was able to finish it this week. It has been interesting watching it evolve over several months.

Sketchbook Used: Strathmore, Mixed Media paper with vellum surface, 5.5 in. x 8.5 in., 90 lb

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pens (.005 and .01) in black

Every Inchie Monday - Lasso

This week's Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Lasso." Since, an inchie is so small, I cropped in on my lasso. In my research of lassos, I came across an image of one in a loop that had a handle on it. I liked that particular area of the image and chose to draw it. 

Pens: Royal Blue (BL6) from the 5 Pen Primary Tones Set by Chameleon Color Tones, permanent alcohol ink pen system; Sakura Pigma Micron pen and brush (.01) in Sepia; No. 2 Pencil

Paper: White Cardstock 80-lb

Something Green and a New to Me "B" Pattern

I'm a little late on posting my art for last week's Diva Challenge #209: "Saint Patty's" and SuzyMosh's: That's New to Me! Challenge #11: "B". I decided to incorporate both challenges in one tile. For the Diva challenge we were to "Green Up" our tile, so I used a shamrock. In the second challenge we are to use at least one "New to Me" pattern starting with the letter "B". I chose to draw two new tangles: Birds on a Wire by Mary Kissell, CZT and Barberpole by Suzanne McNeill, CZT. I used Birds on a Wire in the border of my tile and for the stem of my shamrock, I used Barberpole.

Other tangles used in my tile: Tipple, a Zentangle®-original; Flux, a Zentangle®-original; Fasset by Lynn Mead (I used in the background) 

Pens: Grass Green (GR#) from the 5 Pen Primary Tones Set by Chameleon Color Tones, permanent alcohol ink pen system; Sakura Pigma Micron pens (.01 & .005) in purple and green; Gelly Roll pen in white and green from the Stardust pack

Paper: Strathmore, White Artist Tiles, 100lb.,  4 in. x 4 in.

Every Inchie Monday - Nail

This week's Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Nail." I decided to draw a close up version of a hammer and nail. I printed a sheet of inch size thumbnails that I had created in a program on my computer to sketch out ideas for my inchies. I chose the sketch below to show.  

Pens: Deep Black (BK4) from the 5 Pen Primary Tones Set by Chameleon Color Tones, permanent alcohol ink pen system; Sakura Pigma Micron pen (.01) in black; No. 2 Pencil

Paper: White Cardstock 80-lb

Diva Weekly Challenge #208: "Duotangle - Cubine vs Pokeroot"

For last weeks Diva challenge #208 we are to use only two tangles: Cubine and Pokeroot. Both tangles are Zentangle®-originals. These were fun tangles to draw. I decided to combine the two patterns into one by putting an individual Pokeroot inside of each cubicle of Cubine. Pokeroot reminded me of cherries, so I decided to add color to my tile. I used a Chameleon Color Tones pen set that I had received as birthday present from my friend. I had a blast experimenting with color blending and shading. These pens are amazing! They each have their own color infuser and mixing chamber. Once the nibs are infused, the pen distributes the color in smooth blends from light to dark. Each pen has two different nib choices: brush and bullet; both are replaceable. The pens and mixing chambers are refillable too. :)

Pens:  Crimson Red (RD4) and Royal Blue (BL6) both from the 5 Pen Primary Tones Set by Chameleon Color Tones, permanent alcohol ink pen system; Sakura Pigma Micron pen (.01) in black; Sakura Permapaque pen (1.0) in Gold

Strathmore, White Artist Tiles, 100lb.,  8 in. x 8 in.

Every Inchie Monday - Egyptian

This week's Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Egyptian." I had a lot of fun researching this subject. While surfing the internet, I came across an image of a Scarab Amulet from the Walters Art Museum. I was inspired to draw my own inchie version of an Egyptian scarab amulet with a front and back interpretation. 

The front of my scarab amulet has an ankh on it, which is an Egyptian hieroglyphic character symbolizing "life." The symbol is also known as the key to the Nile or in Latin "cross with a handle." The back of my scarab amulet has an interesting spiral scroll pattern that I found on the back of the Scarab Amulet from the Walters Art Museum. This ancient spiral scroll pattern reminds me of Emingle, a Zentangle®-original. I enjoyed drawing the scroll pattern around the oval shape of the scarab. The Ancient Egyptians believed the oval frame of the scarab amulets would bring their owner perfection and prosperity. The spiral scroll pattern symbolizes renewal. I finished the back of my scarab amulet design with an eye in the center. I drew Tipple, a Zentangle®-original as a filler for the background of my inchies.

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pens/brush (.01 & .005) in sepia
Paper: Natural Parchment Scrap Paper

Two Challenges in One (From last week)

Last week I incorporated two challenges in my tile: the Diva's Weekly Challenge #207: "UMT - Unbatz by Sandy Hunter, CZT" and at Suzy Mosh Creations: "That's New to Me!" Weekly Challenge #9: "H". In the second challenge we are to use at least one "New to Me" pattern starting with the letter "H". I chose to draw Half Onions by Livia Chua. Its the tangle strand in a half circle in the lower part of my tile. It reminded me of a necklace or bracelet. 

The tangle, Unbatz by Sandy Hunter is a very relaxing pattern to draw, especially while listening to classical music. I was listening to Maurice Ravel's "Bolero" while drawing Unbatz and the repetitiveness of drawing the shapes and connecting them went perfectly with the long crescendo in that piece of music. I decided to do a variation of Unbatz on my tile by drawing triangles in between the figure 8's. You can see the step outs to Sandy's tangle on her blog here.

I also incorporated other tangles in my tile such as Arcodos by Lianne Woods, CZT; Tipple, a Zentangle®-original; Mooka, a Zentangle®-original by Maria Thomas; and Copada (flower petals) by Margaret Bremner, CZT.

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pens (.01 & .005) in black and red

Paper: Strathmore, White Artist Tiles, 100lb.,  4 in. x 4 in.

Every Inchie Monday - Love

This week's Every Inchie Monday Challenge is "Love." I can't wait for Springtime to arrive when "love is in the air." Since there is a lot of love buzzing during Springtime, I chose to draw bumble bees circling a purple flower. On the flower, there are Copada-shaped petals with tiny purple hearts. Copada is a tangle designed by Margaret Bremner, CZT. I also incorporated Zinger, a Zentangle®-original tangle designed by Maria Thomas. Zinger reminded me of honey dippers which I thought went perfectly with the bees. This time instead of cutting a piece of paper to a squared inch size, I drew a squared inch frame with my Micron sepia brush pen for my inchie drawing.

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pens/brush (.01 & .005) in sepia and purple
Gelly Roll pen in yellow from the Stardust pack

Paper: Strathmore, White Artist Tiles, 100lb.,  4 in. x 4 in.

Diva Weekly Challenge #206: "Tools/Trade"

I'm a little late on posting the Diva's Weekly Challenge #206: "Tools/Trade" from last week, but here it it is. (Better late than never. :) 

For last weeks challenge we were to use materials we've never used before for tangling. I've always wanted to try Gelly Roll pens on black tiles. My coworker had gifted me a set of Gelly Roll pens and black artist tiles for Christmas. I decided to finally use them. I'm so glad I did. :) I think my tile turned out really neat.

Tangles: Chebucto and Copada by Margaret Bremner; Tipple, a Zentangle®-original; and Flux, a Zentangle®-original; 

Pens: White Gelly Roll 08
Paper: Strathmore, Black Artist Tiles

Every Inchie Monday - Snail

This is my first Every Inchie Monday Challenge and the theme was "Snail". I decided to create my inchie art with tangle patterns. I used Dragonair by Norma Burnell for the shell. I used tipple, a Zentangle®-original tangle for the ground. I embellished my inchie art with swirls and handwritten text. I used some scrap textured off-white cardstock that I had previously stained with coffee. I think my inchie art turned out real cute. I think I'm going to try some previous challenges to create my own inchie art collection. I think drawing this size is going to be addictive. :)

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pens (.01 & .005) in sepia.

Zendala Dare #97

This is my first Zendala Dare Challenge from Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.com. You can see the template that I used on her blog. When I saw the tear drop shapes I immediately thought of three tangles: Onion Drops by Sharon Garcia, Cruffle by Sandy Hunter and Inapod by Carole Ohl. I used all three tangles in the various teardrop shapes. I also used Enyshou, a Zentangle®-original tangle designed by Maria Thomas. I think my attempt at drawing Enyshou looks more like purple locks of hair. I embellished my tile with drawing dots around the different shapes. Overall I'm pleased with how my first Zendala challenge turned out. I'm definitely going to try the next challenge.

Pens: Sakura Pigma Micron pens (.01 & .005) in sepia and purple.
Tile: 300 Series Bristol Artist Tile, 4 x 4 by Strathmore 

"Year of the Goat" and use a "New to Me S Pattern" Challenges

This week I incorporated two challenges in my tile: the Diva's Weekly Challenge: #204 "Year of the Goat" and at Suzy Mosh Creations: "That's New to Me!" Weekly Challenge #7: "S". 

For the Diva's challenge we are to use a goat in our tile from the Chinese Zodiac 2015 "Year of the Goat" in celebration of Chinese New Year. I chose to use a Sea Goat Constelation or Capricorn the Goat for my tile. I found a template that I could trace and transfer to my tile using a No. 2 pencil and tracing paper. I chose tangle patterns: 'Nzeppel, a Zentangle®-original tangle designed by Maria Thomas; Scallops by Suzanne McNeill; and Starawn by Judy Murphy. I embellished the patterns with swirls and dots.

In the second challenge we are to use at least one "New to Me" pattern starting with the letter "S". I chose to draw the pattern Starawn by Judy Murphy. I really enjoyed drawing the pattern and thought it gave my Sea Goat Constelation art just the right touch.

I enjoyed doing this tile and loved how the colors and pattern choices gave my art a whimsical feel. I'm definitely going to use these patterns again.

I used Sakura Pigma Micron pens (.01 & .005) in sepia, green, blue and purple. I used a 3.5 x 3.5 Zentangle® tile. 

Diva Weekly Challenge #204: "Valentangle"

Well, I'm a little late on posting my "Valentangle" for the Diva's Weekly Challenge #204 last week, but here it it is. (Life gets busy. :) 

I loved how my tile turned out after completing the Diva's Weekly Challenge #202: Duotangle: Chebucto vs. Copada that I decided to incorporate those same tangles into my "Valentangle". Both of these tangles were designed by Margaret Bremner, CZT. In my version of Chebucto this time, I used hearts for my centers. I used Copada inside the heart shape petals and filled them with fine curving lines. I accented my tile with little hearts.  

I enjoyed using the red ink in my tile and I liked the overall "Valentangle" effect. I used Micron pens (.01 & .005) in both Sepia and of course red.

Two Challenges in One Tile

This week I incorporated two challenges in my tile: the "Diva's Weekly Challenge: #203 UMT - Athitzi by Seven" and at Suzy Mosh Creations: "That's New to Me!" Weekly Challenge #5: "M". In the second challenge we are to use at least one "New to Me" pattern starting with the letter "M". I chose to draw the very pretty tangle Meringue by Kelley Kelly.

I also enjoyed using the tangle Athitzi by Seven in my tile for the Diva's weekly challenge. Athitzi has a textural feel that reminds me of the drawing style hatching. I used  this technique to create shading on some of the other tangles that I had used such as Dragonair by Norma Burnell. I also incorporated the tangle Akoya by SandyHunter into my tile by drawing it around Meringue.

I used a regular No. 2 pencil and black Micron pens in various sizes for shading. I really liked how the shading and hatching technique added dimension in my work. Now, I wished I had scanned in my tile before I had applied shading so I could of posted a "before" and "after" image of how shading makes a difference in one's art.