Mandala Class

So I explained how I left my full-time job to teach classes. I decided the first class should be something simple that creates something that looks complicated. Basically my way of displaying to the students that anyone, and everyone can draw.

I came up with the idea to just have them repeat letters to form mandala's. I tried this on my own and it actually worked.

The mandala to the left is what the words, "Aim For the Stars" ended up looking like.

Happy with the outcome I thought a mock-class at a friends home. It turned out to be so much fun. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures from that class.

"Aim For The Stars" 

On to real class time. The first class I had 2 girls from my mock-class take the actual paid class. The next couple of locations I didn't have any students yet. Thursday my best friend brought a friend and we had a blast.

We didn't get finished completely, but they had a great start for an hour class. The top one is for her son's wedding, the Groom and Brides name. The bottom one made one of her sister's name. It amazes me at how just letters can turn into such amazing (and very different) pieces of art. 

"Dots Game" Revisited

You know the old Dots game right? My husband and I have used my gridded notebooks to play it, to pass time waiting for our food to arive at resturants. Today I was with my daughter and pulled out my doodle book and was going to pass time waiting for a parade to start. I decided to bring out the colored pens and use the dots game concept for her and I to "play" filling in my doodles...

It did its job, few minutes passed and time for parade. 

Later on this evening my husband took me out to dinner, so we brought out the journal and started working on our own (leaving my daughters and mine for us to bond over again ;-) 

So here we go, adult coloring trend into a taking turns creative game. 

2 Things: Sunday/Pattern

This 2 Things Challenge was perfect for me. One of my favorite things to create is motif's for patterns. This particular one gives me the chance to share my Devotional Journal. I created a few patterns to use on Zentangles, or other uses.

The Patterns: Dogwood {Sketch}

The Journal: Various Patterns {Biblical Based}

*The text:
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."~ Psalms 118:8
                
 "I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord."~Psalms 118:17

Of course the journal is meant to be used daily, but I seem to only be using it on Sunday lately...Need to work on that :)

Zentangle: 9 Artoo

We were challenged to do a zentangle incorporate the new tangle created by Laura at I am the Diva named after her sick little baby "Artoo"

Here is the newest challenge. 

Sorry to have taken so long with this one. It was finished earlier in the week, I just never got around to scanning it and posting it.

Don't forget to join the fun... 

Zentangle: 8 (Heart + )

This week's challenge is close to my heart. Laura at I am the Diva CZT gave us the challenge heart + two past challenges because she needs our well wishing for her son Artoo who was hospitalized with respiratory problems.

Ten years ago my baby boy was in and out of the hospital with Pneumonia and RSV for the first five months of his life. At one point he was in the ICU and they were preparing us for the possibility of putting him on a ventilator. He turned 10 this year, and is an amazing little man.

This Zentangle is a combination of all the past challenges, with a big full heart to Artoo.

1. Simple
2. Two Pencil String
3. Eyes Wide Shut (I combined 2+3 to make the ribbon)
4. Starry Eyed Surprise
5. Orbs
6. Ixorus
7. Breathe
8. Heart

When I put all these together, it looked like this...

 

Join the fun... 

Zentangle: Breathe

Breathe in deeply through the nose, then breathe out through the mouth.

Finding my rhythm is difficult in music. However; when I do dots and lines, it comes easily. Good thing too, because rhythm is just as necessary in the sketching, as it is in breathing, and yes, in music.

#7: Breathe

Don't forget to join in the fun...

S2S #4: The Squatter

Debi posted the character sketch for this guy. He was a challenge! Not really the position, but the fact that she specifically stated the place that she saw him. Since Chipotle is a chain, I had to find a "Chipotle Chair". I used some creative liberties in this one. I'm not extremely pleased with him. I have had issues with each sketch so far, so why should this one be any different?

I think that it's because I have to come up with these from reading and my imagination. I never have been great at sketching unless I can see the subject right in front of me, life or photograph. I can't really do that on these. All the more reason to keep practicing and making progress.

The Squatter

Mandala "ish doodle"

Since Phine from Zendoodle-Wedge commented that my last Zentangle challenge was a mandala. It reminded me of the only other mandalaish doodle that I have done. I shared this with my facebook friends the day I made it. Unfortunately I was letting dust pile up over here at the Sketch-n-blog at the time. So, I tought I would take this chance to share it with you.

More doodles from days-gone-by to come ;)

Zentangle: Ixorus Challenge

This week's challenge was to use the tangle entitled "Ixorus" somewhere in our Zentangle. On Sunday I created a few tangles for my Bible Study Journal cover that where mainly different Christian Icons. With those still fresh on my mind, I had to incorporate the crown of thorns.

I like the way it turned out. My outer strokes are a bit different than the original pattern. I didn't realize this until after completing. Mainly because I do these without looking directly at the tangles. I commit the inspiration and process to memory, then do what comes naturally to me from there on.

Join the fun....

My Name...All Zentangled Up

I just posted my Zentangles a couple of hours ago, and I got some great comments from CZT's (Certified Zentangle Trainer) already. I just love getting comments. One, it makes me feel special, of course. Also it gives me a chance (and valid reason) to visit others' blog.

I'll get to the point...I checked out Sue Clark's Tangle Ink Art and found another challenge. Did I mention that I love challenges? Anyway, this challenge was one she did of Linda Farmer of tanglepatterns.com. This challenge was to "Zentangle Your Name" 

You see, the actual Zentangle kit and process has patterns with names. Let me say, this is the first time I have used an "official" Zentangle pattern, or at least knowingly. Honestly, the process of using a specific pattern that was developed by someone else, and named, is a little bit hard for me to get used to. It feels like I'm cheating, or on some level copyright infringement. 

I really wonder where the line is between copying these patterns and copyright issues. A lot of the "official" patterns are patterns and variation of patterns found for centuries of art, textiles and in nature. 

On a certain level, it feels rather uncomfortable to "copy" a pattern that someone else has done, to the "t" anyway. I'm not saying it is wrong, especially in the sense that this is a personal thing, not really professional. The question becomes valid if someone was to use these patterns in a professional piece of work. Even if the pattern could be proved to be found in nature, could the artist get sued for using a theme that was constructed by someone else? I know, Tisk Tisk...Way to get stressed over something that may be nothing.

I may look at the official designs for inspiration from time to time, but in the future I think I will just "wing-it". Unless, of course, there is another challenge like this...I like challenges, what?!? It's just that I feel process is more enjoyable, creative, and relaxing when I'm not trying to "copy" a design pattern. I also feels that it shows in the final product...even though this is about the process not the product. But hey, I want to show you something pretty. Is there anything wrong with that? (Don't answer that, rhetorical question ;)

Now that I am done thinking out-loud, here is my name in Zentangle form. 

Zentangle: Challenges 1-4

Since I only learned about this challenge on the 5th week, I completed the first four challenges before moving on to the 5th. For the first time I feel like I'm on the ground floor and looking forward (instead of looking back and having zillions of previous challenges to do).

Here are the first four Zentangle Challenges at I am the Diva CZT

Simple

Two Pencil String

Eyes Wide Shut

Starry Eyed Surprise

Join the fun, why don't ya....

Zentangle: Orbs Challenge

Recently my talented friend Lori Greenberg  introduced the concept of Zentangles on Facebook. They are very similar to the type of doodling that I have done for years. I jumped in head first.

Miss Lori then introduced me to the weekly Zentangle challenges by "I am the Diva CZT" That was just yesterday, and I have caught up will all five challenges posted thus far.

Without further adieu, here is my Orbs Zentangle... 

S2S #2: Hanging On

S2S #2: Hanging On

I decided to work this one in ink and watercolor pencils. He was pretty challenging to visualize. I love a good challenge. I hope I did him well :)

Illustration Friday-Remember

For those that grew up in the 80's....Do you remember?