Sneakers With A Soul!

Last month I held a two-day Zentangle class for kids between the ages of 9 and 12;  I taught them how to tangle their sneakers!  First they applied color to their sneakers (and laces, of course!) with fabric markers.  Then I taught them 15 different tangles ... wow, they were amazing!! Talk about focused ... take a look at this picture:

You kids were the best!

They then applied the tangles they learned to their sneakers!! WOW!

 Beautiful, creative and unique!
BRAVO!

I don't know who was prouder:  me, of these creative, enthusiastic and lovely girls; or, the girls of their awesome sneakers!!!  We marched around the entire Art Center (including the Bystro) after they were finished so they could show them off to everyone!  What a fun time we had!!!

And now, this month's new tangle, BALO!

BALO by Hsin-Ya Hsu

I placed BALO between the tangle Msst in the Zentangle below:

Notice how the lines in my zig zag shape differ from the original tangle above. And I've shaded in different areas, as well.  Remember:  learn the original tangle and then play and experiment with it!!  

See if you can come up with your own variations.  Have fun!

and then, on a tan tile (and using the tools from my Renaissance Kit), I put BALO between the tangles Knightsbridge and Zander:

Notice my variation in the zig-zag in this version of BALO.

It's been another wonderful round of classes, with some incredible folks.  You have all been such a joy!  I have added your art to the Gallery Page!  As always, thank you for sharing!  It's an inspiration for others to see what you create!

Well, enjoy these lazy, hazy days of summer -- and, happy tangling!

Audrey 

Look for new classes this fall!

WOW!!!  What an amazing and wonderful time I had in Santa Fe at Tangle U!  In its third year, Tangle U is dedicated to providing outstanding instruction for CZTs by CZTs.  And boy, that was certainly the case!  I participated in more than 15 hours of fabulous classes that sent me home inspired, excited and full of new ideas for new classes this fall!!!

One of the classes I'm toying with would focus on creating Zentangles using organic/botanical patterns. You'd be able to grow your own"tangle garden!" :-) So stay tuned!

And speaking of botanicals ... this month's tangle is VERDIGOGH by Maria Thomas (of Zentangle fame)!

This is one of Maria's favorite tangles. (And mine, too!) It was inspired by a pine branch.  Like so many tangles, it appears complicated when it's done, but as we all now know, "anything is possible one stroke at a time."

I've incorporated VERDIGOGH  into my Zentangle Inspired Art, below:

Take a look at the "Gallery" page ... I've added some new student art.  Thank you to the wonderful ladies who sent me photos of their beautiful work!

Until next month ... be well, and happy tangling!

Audrey

Off to Tangle University ...

... in Santa Fe, New Mexico!  I am so excited!!!  

Logo from my T-Shirt!  :-)

Yup, it's really called Tangle University!   And it's a forum for Certified Zentangle Teachers.  The focus is education both for our own enjoyment and to carry back to the classroom. That's why I am so jazzed! I hope to bring back ideas and material for new classes for all of you tangling addicts! Yay!!!

Spring classes will be starting up next month (April);  so,  if you know anyone who is interested in joining the Zentangle family tell them to check out the "Classes" page on this blog!  There are so many of you who have asked about repeating classes.  Yes, of course, you are always welcome to take a class over!  In fact, I have many students who do that ... and then tell me that they got something new from taking the class again.   It's kind of like watching a movie that you really love over (and over, if you're me!) ... you get something new and different from it each time.  And it is always so wonderful to see and be with old friends again!

Okay, the new tangle this month:

YUMA 

by Tina Hunker

You'll notice that there isn’t a “pattern” per se, but rather some repeated random strokes that you add as the feeling takes you! Yes, there is an initial "order" to it (Steps 1, 2 and 3), but after that you’re on your own and each time it turns out differently!  It is a lot of fun to do  ... I really like this one!  I used it in my ZIA below:

"Survivor"

So, my friends, until next month, be well, be safe,  and ... 

... happy tangling!

Audrey

A reminder for all of us ...

Zentangle is the most exciting thing I have ever done, and teaching it is even more rewarding. So many of my students have come to me after having discovered Zentangle saying things like. . . "this has made such a difference in my life."  Or, I didn't think I was creative."  I do believe the need to be creative is born in each and every one of us and never leaves us.  ALL young children love playing with paints and pens, etc,  It's only when we get older that we start comparing the results of what we do with others and then start telling ourselves that ours is not good enough!  I read an article recently that called this measuring the results of what we do with others, "comparanoia!"  This is so bad for our self esteem and yet we sometimes find ourselves doing it!   Isn't it true that we wouldn't tell someone else their work isn't good enough ... well, we need to remember to be just as supportive and loving to ourselves.      Don't sabotage yourself by indulging in "comparanoia!" Just enjoy every single moment of the actual doing, the creation of each stroke. Zentangle gives us the opportunity to both embrace and draw out that inner creativity that we all possess. How wonderful is that!!!


NEW TANGLE
Many of you asked me about a tangle I posted in last month's blog.  It's the one in the  upper left hand corner of my Zentangle:

The tangle is called ARUKAS.  And the step-out instructions are below:

You can definitely improvise and have some fun with this one! Create your own tangelations!

CLASSES:
My students this winter term are amazing!!  They are all, of course, addicted to Zentangle! And, in addition, have done some beautiful work that I have put on the "Gallery" page of this blog.  Please take a look ... you will be inspired!

These students just completed the Zentagle Inspired Art - Part 1 class.  Take a look at their completed project.  (My photo doesn't do justice to their work!!)  Thanks to Diane Shamburger, Nancy Bowen, Gail Farcello, Jocelyn Helzer, Mary Kalkwarf, Leslie Sexton, Michelle Nadalin, Nancy Stuve, Linnea Pierce, and Sydney!

WOW!

The spring Zentangle class schedule is in the works and will be posted soon!

So until next month, happy tangling!

Audrey

"Breathe in today ... exhale yesterday!"

Hoping today finds you in good spirits and enjoying life in this new year!

I had an interesting end of the year ( you probably noticed I'm late with my blog! ) as I discovered I had breast cancer in October.  On December 3rd I had a lumpectomy.  And, on December 6th I taught my "Tangling on Fabric" class.  You can't keep a good woman down! :-)  I did this with the help of my amazing husband, friends, and a wonderful group of women who had been through all my classes except this one.  We had a wonderful day!  I am now undergoing radiation treatments and will finish in early March.  My prognosis is very good and I plan to be around for a long time (my surgeon says I should be around until at least 105!) teaching Zentangle classes (new ones, too!), creating art and enjoying life!  "Breathing in today and exhaling yesterday!"

CLASSES

Winter classes started up this month with a bang!  Two Zentangle 101 classes ... both filled with folks eager to learn Zentangle.  We know, don't we, that they will soon be hooked! :-)

I mentioned in my last blog that I will be going to Santa Fe in April to attend a 3 day program for certified Zentangle teachers.  And, based on the scheduled agenda, plan to come back with exciting ideas for new classes! So stay tuned!

NEW TANGLES ... Yes, two of them!

1. BALLOYA by Anya Lathrop

and

2.  SCRUMBLE by Jane Monk

And here are sample ZIA's I made:  one using Balloya and one using Scramble:

This is a ZIA because of the color that I added!  Couldn't resist!

You can see I had some fun with this one!  A variation on
the Scrumble tangle!  And some glitter, of course!

The above ZIA is framed and under glass so the photo isn't the greatest.   In about two weeks it will be hanging in the Artisan Store at the Brewery Arts Center along with a half a dozen other Zentangle pieces.  Please come and see them!!

And don't forget to check the Gallery Page of this blog for student creations!  

Until next month, be well, be happy and keep tangling!

Audrey

The Holiday Season is Here!

Well, we are heading into the holiday season and I know everyone will be busy buying gifts, cooking, eating, sharing time with family and friends, traveling, or just sitting by a cozy fire with a glass of wine and tangling!  Whatever tickles your fancy and however you spend it may be it be peaceful, joyful,  and make your heart sing!

NEW TANGLE:

Twiggee by Sadelle Wiltshire

This a definitely a nature inspired tangle.  The important thing is NOT to set out to draw a thing, i.e. a twig,  Just think about the shapes ... don't fret if you lines are not straight ... just have fun with it!!  And, of course, turn your tile as you work and add more shapes. This tangle is like the  "Hollibaugh" tangle in that each shape goes underneath an existing one.

Here are some sample Zentangles I did using Twiggy:

You can see that I added leaf shapes to this one.
 The black background in this tangle is dramatic!

Notice in this version of TWIGGEE I didn't blacken all the spaces between the shapes;  rather I shaded the middle space.  No leaves in this one.

And in this Zentangle Inspired Art I used water colors!

REMEMBER:  The important thing is to just have fun!!

Some of my students this fall have done some absolutely exquisite work.  Please take a look at the "Gallery" page of this blog to enjoy the Zentangle art that Vicki Mathieu, Stacey Myrehn, Cathy Wahrenbrock, Jeannine Kechely, and Lynn Ratliff  have created!  Thank you so much ladies for your enthusiasm, sharing your beautiful art and inspiring all of us! 

The Zentangle class schedule for 2015 is set ... you can see it on the "Classes" page of this blog. And, I am very excited about a retreat for Zentangle teachers that I will be attending this coming April in Santa Fe.  Lots of ideas for new classes!!!  Oh the JOY of Zentangle!

Sending warm fuzzies to everyone ... happy tangling!

Audrey

It's Pumpkin Season!

Love this time of year ... the weather is gorgeous, the leaves are turning colors, and the sights and  smells of the coming holidays are in the air!!  Have you been to Trader Joe's?  Just got home ... pumpkin everything!!! This reminded me of the pumpkin I tangled last year for the Artisan Store.  So, I started hunting for a picture of it and discovered I never took one! :-(   I wanted to put it on my blog ... well, I did the next best thing and went online and googled "Zentangle Pumpkins." I was inundated!!  Here's a sample of one of the "many" I looked at:

There was no credit given to the artist who tangled these.

Pumpkins are wonderful to tangle on because they have a built in "string!"  And if you don't want to tangle on a real one you can buy an artificial one in orange, black or even white!   I recommend using something like a "Uchida Deco Color Paint Marker."  This is an oil based marker with a nice shine -- and won't fade.  Beware:  "Sharpies" definitely do fade!  If you do tangle a pumpkin, please send a photo!!

Fall classes have been off to a great start!  Take a look at some of the beautiful art created by some of my newer students.  Thank you to Terri Jada, Diane Rice, Vicki Mathieu, Stacey Myrehn, Tamara Holmes and Cathy Wahrenbrock :

This is a mat board frame that Stacey is tangling ... what a great idea!

And what fun we had tangling on aprons and totes ... thank you to Diane Shamburger, Betsy Kosier and Nancy McNair for sharing their talent with us!

Just beautiful!!!  Wish I had gotten a closeup photo ... darn!!!

I did get a close up of Betsy's apron ... see photo below.

Gorgeous!!! Catch the colors ... can't wait to see  it when it's finished!!!

And just wait until you see the closeup photo below of Nancy's tote!

Absolutely stunning!!!

Jeanine Schmidt sent me photos of these amazing t-shrts she created!  Just fabulous!

You ladies inspire me and make your teacher proud! 

Thank you for sharing your beautiful art with all of us!

Okay, now it's time for this month's NEW TANGLE

 WINDFARM by Margaret Bremmer

Does this tangle remind you of another one?  Yup, it's a variation of  HOLLIBAUGH!   I used it in the ZIA below:

Definitely another fun tangle with lots of possibilities!

Enjoy the beauty of this fall season!

Until next month, happy tangling!

Audrey