Back To Basics

The Introduction Class

As I mentioned before, when it comes to art / craft projects (and over the years I've done many different kinds) I have never done things in the order they are supposed to be in, nor have I done things simply... I'm known for jumping in with both feet and tackling the more complicated pieces first.  When I was into crewel embroidery as a teenager I loved making French knots! (My mother thought I was nuts.) With knitting and crocheting I didn't just start with a scarf or a dish towel - I jumped right into sweaters and afghans.  Then with tole painting I went straight to large wooden items that were practically pieces of furniture; and with beading I went straight to the complicated necklaces and bracelets rather than a simple wire-wrapped pair of earrings.  So why should it be anything different with tangling ...?

One week after the first class, exploring ZIAs, I headed back to Janet for the introduction class, this time with another friend in tow.  (When you are doing something fun, word gets around.)  

Two hours well spent, and Ilm glad I went back to the basics!  We learned about "tiles", "strings", what types of materials to use for certain effects, how to hold the pens, pencils, snubbers ... and easier approaches to patterns - like looking for "step-outs".  The first two tiles were done in class.  The rest are just me, experimenting with different "strings" and patterns.  Some patterns I repeated to practice, and some are others I just wanted to try ...

3 1/2" X 3 1/2" tiles; Micron pens; shading with graphite pencil

Crescent Moon, Flux, Florz, Hollibaugh, Betweed, Printemps

May 23, 2015

I am discovering I can repeat a tangle pattern on different pieces and it will look different each time... especially when the colors change!

See Gallery Page for more ...

Beyond Playing

The Need For Instruction

Spring is always a stressful, hectic, time in the classroom for the teacher as well as the students with "testing season", end-of-the-year projects, final paperwork, report cards ... and it's a perfect time for a little yoga for the mind - enter Zentangle!

Being a teacher by profession, I am also a continuous learner.  I wasn't satisfied with just knowing where to find patterns and duplicating what I was seeing (see Inspirations Page), I wanted to learn different techniques such as working with different papers, pens, shading, adding color ... so I turned to Google again and searched for classes in my area.  I discovered there were actually about 7-8 Zentangle Certified Teachers (ZCTs) in town, and one had a listing of classes on her blog, Tiki Tangles.  I contacted Janet Masey and requested class information, to wit she was very accommodating, adding me to her Facebook group, and providing me with the next class available, the hummingbird - a ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art).  Janet was kind enough to not only let me take the class (even though I hadn't taken the "basics" class which is usually a pre-requisite), but also let me bring the art teacher from my school too!

4 1/2" X 4 1/2" Apprentice tiles; Micron pens; shading with graphite pencil;
color added using watercolor pencils
Chainlea, Dragonaire, Flux, Poke Leaf, Dooleedo
May 16, 2015

Annddd I'm hooked! ZIAs are usually "beyond basics" pieces.  (I tend to go straight up when it comes to artsy/craftsy things and skip the beginning steps ...) I went on to complete several more on my own.  The next day ...

4 1/2" X 4 1/2" Apprentice tiles; Micron pens; shading with graphite pencil; 
color added using watercolor pencils
Chainlea, Dragonaire, Coil Variation, Flux, Cross Hatching
May 17, 2015

See Gallery Page for more ...

First Inspiration

A Magazine Cover

In the fall of 2014, while standing at the checkout counter in the local grocery store, I spotted "tangled" pumpkins on the cover of a Better Homes and Gardens Halloween magazine on the rack and said, "That is so cool... I should do that."  Did I pick up the magazine?  No ... and kicked myself as it was gone the next time I went back, but hubby found it in his travels and picked it up!  (He shouldn't encourage me like that ...)  Later we went to the local craft store and picked up several "craft" pumpkins, a few Sharpies (fine and extra fine) and away I went, not knowing a THING about what I was doing ... I basically followed my nose and ended up with this:

 

It was fun and relaxing, and it didn't matter if it wasn't absolutely perfect as when completed everything blended and little mistakes weren't that noticeable.  Even though it is not pumpkin season, the tangled pumpkin remains on the mantle to this day.  

In the meantime I continued to "play" with the patterns.  Googling zentangle, tangle patterns, tangle step-outs ... I found a plethora of information and resources!  There are literally thousands of patterns out there.  The two best resources are the main Zentangle site from the creators, which will explain how it all started and and the philosophy behind it.  Be sure to watch the video and read Bijou's Story; and Tangle Patterns, a growing index of patterns.  Of course Pinterest has many boards on the subject as well.  I continued exploring and "playing" on my own ...