Some recent work

Just a few pieces I've done recently...

This one I made for my son Joel, done with graphite pencil, micron ink, and Prismacolor markers.

This was a Square One submission, done with graphite pencil and micron ink.

 

And this... something new for me, done with Prismacolor and Faber-Castell markers and just a touch of white acrylic paint pen.

Random art

Just a couple of random art pieces - one done about 4 years ago, the other more recent.

Jewellep

The first ZIA I posted here (which I thought was actually a Zentangle at the time) contained the following pattern. Here are the step outs as well as a new tile I created. I have named the pattern Jewellep (jool-lepp).

I spent a fair amount of time listening to Brian and Jenn Johnson while creating this tile. The song I listened to most is titled, "Where You Go I Go," so I named my tile accordingly.

 "Where You Go I Go"

I started this tile yesterday morning, then had to stop and finish it later in the day. That's when I was REALLY listening to the music and focusing deeply on the lyrics and the spirit of the song along with my pen strokes. I was having a hard time dealing with something someone had told me. I found that by the time I had finished I felt a TON better with a whole new positive perspective! It was great. I truly love this art form, music, and my God. They all  feed my soul and when they are all combined, life can't help but feel fantastic. :) I love all the words of the song, Where You Go I Go, but I think what struck me the most yesterday was the following.

"How could I expect to walk without You
When every move that Jesus made was in surrender
I will not begin to live without You"

If you're a Christian and believe in Jesus it is a no-brainer that his entire life was about surrender, and while I've always viewed the crucifixion as such, I guess it hasn't occurred to me that the rest of his life was about surrender. But it's true! And if, as Christians, we are called to be like him, then the whole concept of surrendering to God makes so much more sense... just my thoughts born out of this experience.

Let the heavens roar...

News & Diva Challenge 187

Today's news: 
1. I had to stay home sick today - again.
2. Did some drawing, when I was feeling up to it.
3. We got our new iPhones via FedEx today.
4. The man of the house came home and announced that he got a raise! That is the SECOND one this year, and he's up for another one with his performance review the beginning of next year. Go Eric!! (I'm so very proud of him!)

Tomorrow's news:
I have a trip to Sacred Heart Hospital scheduled, to see the GI doc in the afternoon. I finally go in for an upper GI endoscopy. I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but I'm super happy that it may provide some answers to why I've been so sick this year. Thank heavens for FMLA or I probably wouldn't have a job by now.

This week's Diva Challenge is to do a blind string, and in my book, One Zentangle a Day I am on Day 2. Therefore, the result of my tangling today was a combination of the Diva Challenge, and 5 of the 6 tangles I've learned in the book, so far. I haven't decided just how much I like how it turned out, but I put ink down according to what I was feeling and focusing on. Zentangling is supposed to be a relaxation/meditation art. In my own personal process the focus of my meditation is on God and whatever he speaks to me and vice-versa, expressed through the art that becomes of it, one stroke at a time.

By the way, the view below is how I drew it. The view above is how I decided it needed to display... for personal reasons I can't explain. :)

My first completed tile

I am really excited to have completed my first TRUE Zentangle tile! OK, so in my first post I said it was my first *attempt*... BUT after joining Square One - Purely Zentangle, and watching and learning from the posts for a couple of weeks, I realized that I still had a lot learn! Thanks to the advice of some of the members, I bought the book, One Zentangle A Day by Beckah Krahula. This is what I learned from the first lesson, using the tangles, Half Moon, Tipple, and Static.

Stripes - Diva Zentangle Weekly Challenge #182

I have recently discovered zentangle. In the process, I've rediscovered my love of expressing my heart through creative outlets. I have spent the past couple of months creating zentangle inspired art (loosely based on zentangle). This is my first attempt at following the rules of zentangle - I THINK, because I'm still learning about it! :) I don't know for sure that the flowers follow the rules because they are indeed representational. I'm also not sure if the dangles and lettering fit in with the actual rules, but they felt like they belonged. If some of you that are trained and/or experienced want to give me some tips I may have missed or misunderstood, please feel free to critique!

The size is 6x6, which I know is not the traditional size. I did try the 3.5x3.5 size and had a hard time with it, so I used this size for my first one. I've ordered some tiles that I'm excited to receive sometime this week. For now, I just measured out a 6x6 space. It was drawn/colored using Sakura Micron pens and Prismacolor markers.

What I love about this art form is that aside from the creative expression, I am learning to allow and appreciate imperfection! No pencil lines, no erasers... you have no idea how hard that is for me! Then again, perhaps you do. :)

My inspiration to do this came after spending a few weeks exploring some Diva Weekly Challenges . This week's challenge is stripes, and this is my first submission. It was really a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to the next one.