Warmest Wishes for a Beautiful Holiday Season

Well, as we head into this Holiday season, it tickles my heart to share "artist" Isla Woodard's first Zentangle!  Isla is the granddaughter of one of my former students, Darla Woodard.  

Great job Isla!

And former student Penny Woods shared her beautiful Christmas cards with us:

According to Penny, "It was fun.  I did 6 on a sheet of nice mixed media paper then took it to Kinkos and they copied them onto 90 lb. water color paper for $6.  Then all I had to do was add sparkle and rubber stamps and voila!"

Love how Penny used the template we got in class to beautifully frame her Christmas ZIA's!  And how she used different tangles in all her trees. Wonderful, Penny!! Thanks so much for sharing them.


Okay, the new tangle for December is:

KNOT RICKZ
by Cheryl Ciancy

This tangle has great movement to it.  Works well in squares and triangles.

Here's a sample Zentangle using Knot Rickz

The Knot Rickz tangle would also make a lovely fill in the "black" squares of the  Knightsbridge tangle!  See sample blow:

Have fun with it and see what you come up with!

Let me take this opportunity to say "thank you" to all you wonderful folks I've met through Zentangle this past year!  You energy, passion, enthusiasm,  and humor have been an inspiration to me and I am so grateful for the connections that have been made.  

May 2014 bring you an abundance of laughter and joy, good health, and special moments that create lasting memories. 

Warmly,
Audrey

The holidays are a coming ….

…. so here's a tangle that you may want to use on your holiday card!  It's an 8 pointed star called SPITERA, and each pillar of the star symbolizes 8 pillars of our lives:

Stability
Perfection
Inspiration
Trust
Enthusiasm
Regeneration
Intuition

As you can see it would make a great Xmas card!   It's also fun to make a few SPITERA's, one behind the other!  (See my sample below.)  Play with it and see what you come up with.  The possibilities are limitless!  

Check out the "Gallery" page … some AMAZING new art from some wonderful Zentangle students!  

Happy tangling … and, Happy Thanksgiving!

Audrey

Anniversary Tangles!

Today my husband Tom and I are celebrating our wedding Anniversary!  It was 30 years ago, on a beach in Nantucket that we were married.  And aside from the two of us, the Town Clerk who performed the ceremony, and a young boy who was walking along the beach (who I recruited to take pictures), there wasn't another soul.  It was a gorgeous day, much like the weather today, and the memory is etched in my heart as have been the past 30 amazing, joyful and wonderful years.  So in honor of this special day I'd like to share 3 new tangles with all of you:

SAND SWIRL- in celebration of the gorgeous beach we stood on to be married.

By Karen Huen

I love this tangle for its flow and movement.
Below is a picture of a Zentangle I made using Sand Swirl ...
notice how I filled in the center circles of this tangle with black ink.

The VZ in this Zentangle stands for "Viva Zentangle."  This was the name of
the Zentangle Teacher Retreat I attended earlier this month!

D-VINE  - cause that what the last 30 years have been.

By Debbie Purdue

AFTER GLO - Need I say more! :-)

Tangle by Carol Oh

This tangle could be used to make a lovely Christmas card!
Look at the Zentangle below by Carol Oh.

One of my students, Debbie Lane, sent me this whimsical idea that a friend had seen somewhere and sent to her!  Thanks, Debbie! 

I would recommend using a Sharpie Industrial Permanent Marker ... they are heat resistant up to 500 degrees F! And, letting the ink dry before you put the bulb int he socket.   If you try it, please let me know if your design is displayed around the room when you use the bulb!

And last, but certainly not least, I am posting a picture of the gorgeous cards that were made by the students in my current ZIA 1 class!  The picture doesn't do their work justice.  Thank you to Mary Ellen, Sue, Lorrie, Penny, Kathleen, Linda, Gigi, Sharon, Nancy, Donna, Shannon, Linda and Peggy ... you ladies are wonderful!

I've also posted some of their art work on the "Gallery" Page of this blog!

Until November ... happy tangling!

Audrey

Holy Smoke!

Holy Smoke!  I'm late with my bog!  (I know ... unusual for anal me!)  But for a good reason!  I was waiting for word from some former students on a Zentangle group they were putting together so I could share it with all of you.  They are getting together every other Tuesday in the evening starting at 5:30 at one of the student's homes just to tangle together!   They have met once in order to get things started, and will meet again this coming Tuesday, September 10th.  If you are interested please contact Susan Berget at sberget@charter.net or 775-301-0150.  Susan, thanks so much for being the contact person.  Should be lots of fun -- and, I'm delighted to see that they were able to get this off the ground!  Yay!

And, again, Holy Smoke!  My brother, who was visiting from New York at the end of August, was looking forward to our Carson City blue skies, clean air and lots of time outdoors. Well, we played a lot of scrabble and had to keep our activities indoors.  Since smoke was very much on my mind (and in my eyes, ears and throat!) .... I came up with a new tangle called "SMOKE!"  I'm dedicating this tangle to all the firemen who work tirelessly and in precariously dangerous conditions to keep us safe!   

SMOKE

As always, the variations are limitless!
I've already done it a number of different ways!

And here it is as part of a Zentangle:

I've used SMOKE with other tangles I've taught in class.  Notice, by the way, how I've used Holibaugh as a string.  

So, in lieu of sharing another new tangle this month, I'd like to ask everyone to create a Zentangle using SMOKE and then either post it on your Facebook page if you have one, or send me a copy of it and I will post them, as a way of paying tribute and saying thank you to all our firefolks around the country ... particularly those who have been around the clock at Yosemite!

Fall Zentangle Classes at The Brewery Arts Center are starting up on September 18th and September 21.  Details on the "Classes" page of this blog.  They are already almost full!!  

And last, but not least, PLEASE check out the "Gallery" link of my blog.  I've posted truly beautiful artwork that was done by some of my students this summer!!! 

HAPPY TANGLING!

   

Lazy...Hazy...Days....

Hope you're have a healthy and fun summer ... in spite of the heat! 

I've been busy making cards and wall collages for The Artisan Store at the Brewery.  Also, having been inspired by my tricycle project, I am now going to tangle an old table that I've sanded and painted white.  I will post pictures when it's done! 

My most recent completed tangle project, "Catch A Rainbow," is posted below.  It was inspired by an amazing rainbow I saw one day driving north on Carson Street.  I used the Dylusions Spray Paints we played with in our ZIA 2 class!  Remember those?  Really vibrant colors! And, then I cut strips (which I later tangled on) to form a variation of an actual tangle pattern called, "Cabin Floor!"

My current Zentangle students have blown me away with their projects from the recent Zentangle Inspired Art Class.  Take a look at their creativity and amazing use of color and tangles!

Many of these students, having had NO prior Zentangle experience, have also done some incredibly beautiful work on their own between classes!  Please look on the Gallery Page so you can enjoy their art!  One of these students, is 8 year old Timin!  Timin, you inspired us all!   

Here are  2 new fun tangles to play with ....

FIORE by Jana Rogers

HURRY HOLLY by Sue Jacobs

Please send photos if you use these new tangles -- or of any of your work that you'd like to share!

Well, continue to enjoy your summer, and, of course, HAPPY TANGLING!

Audrey

Greetings from the "windy city" ...

... and I don't mean Chicago!

Hi Everyone

Hope you, and your property, survived the recent Carson City winds! Wow!

Just completed a round of Zentangle classes ... and there's a new one beginning this Saturday!  Can't tell you how much I LOVE teaching and sharing this magical and beautiful art form.  Take a look at a few of the cards from the last group of "graduates!" Beautiful!!!

Vicki Kunst

Carol Lamerdin

Barbara Andrade

And here are a few more photos from this last class!  The creativity that folks exhibit and the art that they make are really thrilling! 

Donna McLennan created this ZIA at home.  She used the wrapper from a Hershey's Kiss, burned it to create the color she wanted,  and then filled part of her string with it!  Donna definitely added some gorgeous texture to her ZIA by being so creative.

And, Darla Woodard blew us all away when she tangled the Parrot string handout she was given in class.  Awesome, Darla!!!

.  

So, once again ... KUDOS to all these wonderful women!

Many of you have written to me about my Zentangled tricycle ... thank you for the overwhelming  feedback!  I'm thrilled to say it did sell!  Right now I'm working on a table.  Will keep you posted and put pictures on my blog when it's completed.

Okay, now for a new tangle!

SINDU

by Sharon Robinson

I love this one ... it's stunning when it's done. 

Here 's a photo of a partially completed tile using the SINDU tangle. It's not shaded yet, and the tile will be part of a 9-tile ensemble I'm making ... but, I wanted you to see it next to other tangles.

Please, don't forget to send photos of anything you are doing that is Zentangle related!

And, let me know if I can be of ANY help with a tangle you forgot how to do.  Or, if you need any supplies.   Just email me or give me a call.  I will be working at The Artisan Store at the Brewery as follows:  Wednesday June 26th, Tuesday July 9th, Thursday July 25th, Thursday August 8th and Thursday August 20th.  Feel free to pop in any time between 10 and 3pm to say "hello!"

In the meantime, regards to all -- and happy tangling!

Audrey

Ooh La La!

Bonjour!  

We're back from France and had a fabulous time!  Breathtaking scenery, inspirational art (ideas for new tangles!), and great food all along the way!  Paris is such a beautiful city -- it is truly difficult to restrain oneself from taking pictures.  So I am now in the process of sorting through them so that I don't alienate friends and family!  :-)  We did quite a bit while we were there.  I was fascinated with the National Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou.  The structure itself is quite amazing and offers spectacular views of the City with its mass of terra-cotta chimney pot covered roofs and decorative ironwork balconies.

A cloudy and somewhat chilly day --- nevertheless, an aesthetically pleasing combination of shapes and angles!  The whole city is like that.  Notice, no hi-rise buildings!  And can you see all those terra-cotta chimney pots!  

The American Cemetery at Normandy, Rouen, Arles, Lyon, Provence and Monet's Home and Gardens were among my favorites stops!

Monet's Gardens -- acres and acres of every kind of flower known! A feast for they eyes.  And his lily pond ... oh my!  

Claude Monet was an avid gardener who once reflected that perhaps flowers
were the reason he became a painter.

 Monet actually diverted a river to form his own pond, planted willows and bamboo on the shores, filled the pond with water lilies, then crossed it with a wooden footbridge. As years passed, the bridge became overgrown with wisteria. He painted it at different times of day and year, exploring different color schemes.
(This photo was NOT taken by me.) 

It was a truly amazing trip ... I will hold the memories and pictures in my heart and head forever!  And it is also so wonderful to be home!

ZENTANGLE TRICYCLE COMPLETED!

One of the art galleries that I'm affiliated with here in Carson City, Artsy Fartsy, asked a few local artists to participate in a local fund raising activity for Muscle Powered by having us find used tricycles and turning them into lawn art.  I decided to tangle mine. What a challenge this was -- and, what fun I had working on it!!! Thought you fellow Zentangle addicts would get a kick out of the photos below.

When you have a chance, come on down to Artsy Fartsy (220 A West Telegraph Street) and see all the wonderful tricycles created by local artists!

TWO NEW TANGLES

Okay, time for this month's new tangles! 

CRACKED by Lori Howe 

This is a lot of fun!  Give it a shot!

EARTH RISING by Betti Lake

That's all for now!  

Be well, and happy tangling!

Audrey

EGG-traordinary!

A former student, and wonderful lady, just emailed me these pictures and instructions.  So, though I wasn't supposed to blog until May (and I'm up to my eyeballs with packing) I couldn't resist  sharing this with all of you!  Enjoy!

For more beautiful pictures of these tangled eggs and instructions go to:
http://www.hometalk.com/1192652/make-these-cute-eggs-for-easter

Thank you, Pat, for sharing this!

Happy Easter and Happy Passover everyone!

See you in May!

Happy Tangling

Audrey

Spring has sprung ... almost!

And, my rose bushes are beginning to bud!  I love this time of year -- rebirth and renewal! 



This Saturday my Zentangle students will "graduate" (with honors! ). Just take a gander at their class projects: INSPIRATIONAL!  Each work of art is unique and beautiful .... just like the women who created them!

Some of you have asked me about hosting a Zentangle Party in your home.  All you have to do is invite your friends, family, book club, etc. for a fun and relaxing evening of something new!  These parties are VERY popular.   And, just like our classes, the home party lasts about 3 hours and the cost is $31 per person for instruction and mini kit.  If you've take a class with me you, of course, pay no tuition.  With the required minimum of 7 or more paying guests, the hostess receives a free Zentangle kit valued at $50!  

Here are two new fun tangles to play with:

FUNGEES

by Leslie Crumpler

JILLI

by Sue Jacobs

I've been playing with some new Tim Holtz Distress Stains.  If you remember, we used them in the first ZIA class.  They have sponge applicators and are sooooooooooo easy to use!  And, these new colors are both vibrant and yummy!  Take a look:

Colors:  "Festive Berries," "Squeezed Lemonade," and "Peacock Feathers!"

  

Well, I'm off to France at the end of the month!!!  My husband and I have been saving for quite some time for this trip and, as you can imagine, are very excited!!!  I hope to come back with some new Zentangle ideas!   Will blog again in May.  Until then, be well -- and, as always,  happy tangling!

Au revoir
Audrey

LOVE is in the air!

Happy Valentine's Day!  And, to celebrate our "love" for Zentangle ...  what do you think of the idea of a monthly "retreat!"  An opportunity for like-minded folks to get together for 2-1/2 to 3 hours and share the joy of tangling! This could be an opportunity for us to:

1.   see what others are doing, and get some new ideas for what to create with our tangles.
2.   learn new tangles, or teach one we may have "invented."
3.   work on individual projects while enjoying the company of those who share our passion.

We could do this once a month on a Thursday evening from 4 to 7 at The Brewery Art Center's,  Foodies Cafe.  The space wouldn't cost us anything, the tables and chairs would be perfect,  and, food and "drink"are available for purchase!

If you're interested, send me an email at audreys.attic@yahoo.com letting me know.  Please let me know by February 18th.  

Okay, I am still working on a jewelry class.  Yup, still!  Experimenting with a few ideas, but, being as anal as I am, not happy yet!  Will keep you posted!

Tangling Suggestion:  Try using one tangle pattern for an entire Zentangle!  In the photo below, you can see how  I created a string with 13 separate areas and then just kept repeating the "Striping" tangle in different directions.  This is not only fun to do, but VERY relaxing!

What a fun tangle to shade!

Okay, now for this month's tangle:  FOOTLITES by Carol Oh

Enjoy!

Happy 2013!

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." 

 -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hope your Holidays were good!  And that you are keeping warm, cozy and, happy -- with time to tangle, of course!  I am using the month of January to work on some personal art projects --  and new Zentangle opportunities! Yea!

Some of you have asked me to let you know when classes will start as you are recommending the magic and beauty of Zentangle to family, friends, etc.    Zentangle 101 begins on Saturday February 2nd at 10am at The Brewery Arts Center.  If you click on the "Classes" page of my blog, the entire class sequence with dates, and how to register, is outlined.  Our last class was completely full  ... Nevada now has another wonderful group of Zentangle graduates!  I've  posted some new student photos on the "Gallery" page that I'd love you to see!

Many of you have also asked me to let you know when I'm working at the Artisan Store at the Brewery.  So, I will start posting the days I'm there on this blog.  Wednesday, January 9th, Thursday, February 7th, and Wednesday, February 13th from 10 to 4pm are my scheduled dates through the end of February.  A number of you have already stopped by to show me what you're working on, ask questions, review tangles, pick up supplies you've ordered, etc. and I welcome these opportunities to chat about Zentangle -- or, whatever! :-)   The Artisan Store with its beautiful art work (all by local artists) and new restaurant is a fun place to hang out!

If you haven't had a chance to pick up those Micron Pens I have 2 new tangles for you to play with!

#1  OP ART

Try this with just pen and pencil -- and, of course, don't forget to shade.  Then try it using colors!

#2 PUFFLE

This tangle also makes a wonderful border!
Tangle by Sandy Huter

ENJOY

And please continue to send your comments and photos!