Challenge #118 - Use My Tangle Featuring Kuke and Zendala Dare #57

This week's Diva Challenge #118 is a UMT (Use My Tangle) features Kuke, created by Katy Abbot, CZT. She came up with this tangle after finding a shriveled cucumber slice on the kitchen floor after her daughter dropped it the night before, oh how our minds work! It's a nice curvy organic tangle, so we were instantly friends.

I took the opportunity to check out the Bright Owl's Zendala Dare #57 this week which is being hosted by Geneviève Crabe. She features one of her templates created using her Zendala stencils. Check it out, there is a give away this week!

So, I decided Genevieve's template as a string for this weeks challenge. I played loosey goosey with the Zendala template AND this new tangle, Kuke.

Wedding Celebration

Two dear friends got married yesterday,
it was a lovely celebration.
Here's to you Janet and Rusty!

Challenge #117 - The New Official Tangle Schway

Version 1 - Schway with Hollibaugh

The Diva's challenge for the first Monday of the month features Rick Roberts new tangle "Schway" which was released by Rick and Maria this week.

This is a very structured, symetrical tangle that doesn't come naturally to me, OG (Organic Gal) that I am. I used this tangle in last week's challenge, so I was feeling pretty comfortable using it. Even though my version is not measured and perfectly spaced it works, very fun, versatile tangle. I tried to make this tangle flow and go with the banner curves, it really helped give a 3-D quality to my tile.

It was fun to play with different tangleations and embellishments with this new tangle. Hollibaugh seemed like a good accompaniment for this tangle, they "play well" together!

Version 2 - Schway Landscape with Mooka, can you see the little folk?

I did a second version of Schway and the curve looks like a landscape, so added some Schway houses and blue sky, I think it's going to be a bookmark. Tangles: Schway tangleations, Mooka, Paradox, Tipple, BTL Jooz, and Beadz with little fun folk and Schway houses. Size 3.5 x 8.5" with black micron pen, Derwent Watercolor pencils, and graphite

Challenge #116 - Blind Sighted

#116 Knightsbridge, Mooka Leaves, Schway, Betweed, Tipple,
Aura Knot / Celtic Knot , Beadz, and Quabog

Laura Harms Diva challenge for this week, #116 is revisiting the blind string challenge. It, on the one hand, makes it easier since we have no control over the "string" creation, we just close our eyes and scribble, or let it flow. On the other hand it puts those of us who need to control in a tail spin. I'm a go with the flow gal on this, didn't really like the initial blind string outcome. When I close my eyes my string is verrrry small, so when I opened my eyes and saw how small it had come out I closed my eyes and added one more loop. Not cheating, right?

Fun challenge, I don't think I'll use this string again, but it was an enjoyable process. I let the string "guide me" not hold me hostage.

I used the new tangle Schway by Rick Roberts, my version is a tangelation, but it holds true to the basics of the tangle.

#116 - Blind string overlay

I then added Knightsbridge, Mooka Leaves (my tangelation), Betweed, Tipple, Aura Knot / Celtic Knot  (sort of - focus on the knot/snarl!),
Beadz, and Quabog.

I'm working on a new "chop" for my signature. I really love MT's new circular signature initials which inspired me to try something different.

A lot going on in this ZIA, but as always, I enjoyed the process. I am going to try to incorporate tangles that are new to me in my work. I love using my comfort tangles which Maria calls "mac 'n cheese" tangles (thanks Maria) but I also want to stretch myself, so I'm committing to getting out of my comfort zone.

I'm also showing my second version of last week's Earth / Amanda challenge. I tried to have it done by Saturday evening but life got in the way. The ZIA I posted last week used color and was more representational/illustrative, so I decided to go back and use my basic string for the Earth Day challenge and Zentangle Inspire / tangle it in black and white (Purist that I am)!

Earth/ Amanda Day - Challenge #115 Version 2 - Zentanglized (Black and White)
Munchin, Leaves, Florz, Hybrid, Beadz, Tipple, Auras,
Sea and Mountain (mine), Stars, and some waves

Challenge #115 - Amanda Day or Earth Day

Earth/Amanda Day Celebration!
Printemps, Waves, Auras galore
and lots of color

The Diva's challenge this week #115 is to interpret Mother Earth for Earth Day. Laura Harm's son Chewy named the Earth Amanda so that's what this challenge is being called. Great to have the kids point of view here! Lot's of wonderful variations for this challenge, check it out.

My interpretation of Earth/Amanda Day began with researching recycle, earth logos. I really enjoy the recycle arrows and the hands cupping the Earth globe. We are meant to protect the Earth for the future. That's what I went with.

I tried to represent Earth, Water (using a Japanese wave interpretation as a reference), and Sky with stars, of course. I thought it would be a peaceful, gentle representation but it is more active and effervescent than I first thought it would be. Hopefully it looks uplifting and supportive of the Earth.

I pulled out the Inktense pencils that I got a while ago, I've admired them, just haven't actually taken them out of the container. So color and wash were my focus. Fun, crazy, and colorful. It's more of a celebration of the Earth/ Amanda and all it's elements and sparkle.

Challenge #114 - "You with the Stars in your Eyes" - Stars Version 2

Third final scan version with shading and highlights...
It eeze complete!

The Diva's challenge this week revisits Stars. Laura said she was inspired this time by Rosemary Clooney's "Hey There You With the Stars in Your Eyes" video on Youtube.

I'm teaching a Beyond Basic's course on Thursday night, so this was the perfect opportunity to scan my work process and demonstrate the power of shading, contrast, and line work to enhance Zentangle inspired work. I scanned each phase: basic tangle outlines, added blacks for contrast, and then the final piece with shading, line work and highlights. I tend to bounce a round a bit when I'm working; I lay down my structure (string) then tangle part, shade a little, go to next, come back, turn, view, add more contrast, highlights, line work, this was a little different. I had to keep myself from going onto the next "phase", challenging, but interesting to have a different focus.

I chose to "enhance" the star string by using it as a separator for my sections, There is a lot going on and the white helps to give some breathing space so each tangle can speak.  I used Mooka as a background texture and then filled the inner spaces with Shattuck, Fengle, Web, Printemps, Betweed as the center "medallion, and a teeny, tiny Paradox. A few Auras and highlights, and it's done. Very fun, thanks Laura!

I did go back and look at my past challenge solutions for the first star challenge, #4, which was in January of 2011, check it out. My style has changed, which is a good thing. It's nice to know we're always growing, learning, and changing and  focus varies as the years pass. I had just begun tangling that previous summer, my how time flies!

First scan with just the basic string
and tangle outlines

Second scan with "blacks" added
for initial contrast

Challenge #113 - Hip to be Square - String Theory XXIV

A view of a spring evening,
Betweed, Mooka, leaves, windows, Fescu, a tree, a moon (Printemps)
Tipple, Quabog and color, color, color...

This week's Diva Challenge (week #113) is a String Theory #24, using a string based on a square within a square. I decided to do a frame within a frame. Check out all the wonderful submissions this week. 

I was also inspired by Maria Thomas' Zentangle blog post this week. View the many wonderful samples of her beautiful tangled frames and Rick's description of the importance of frames.

I'm not a square sort of gal when it comes to tangling, I don't particularly enjoy structured exercises but this was a blast.

My box within a box takes artistic license (surprise, surprise). My boxes are wobbly and curvaceous. I wanted to incorporate an organic view of the world, showing the blossoming of spring. So my boxes are frames, and windows. Fun, fun, fun!

I will definitely do another one or two this week but this was a wonderful start. I have a dental appointment tomorrow so that will be the perfect opportunity to tangle while I relax (???) and await my appointment. I used my Derwent Watercolor pencils without water. This wasn't watercolor paper so next I'll use an official tile.