Save the Ta-ta's!

Challenge #64 from the Diva asks us to divide our tile up into 8 sections as a string. I decided to do an addtional tile using these parameters. I've been thinking about doing a walk for Breast Cancer Awareness this fall so this was the perfect opportunity to incorporate some of the symbolism. The bumper stickers for this event "Save the Ta-ta's" are great, and say it all. Check out their website and buy products to support the fight against breast cancer.
Some Mooka, Sandy B's Flowers, Spinners, Hollibaugh, Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbons, Venice, the Women's Gender Symbol, Black Pearls, and Plumage all work together to deliver an important message.
Added a touch of pink, of course!
 
  

Challenge #64 - Fortune Teller

The Diva's challenge this week #64 - Fortune. She based this on the "coodie catcher" we used to use as children in school. The challenge asks us to divide our tile in half and then again, forming 8 sections (triangles) that will be our string.

I tried to respect the string but not hold it sacred. The key for me was to make each part relate to the other. For me this is always a part of my creative process. Acknowledging what the tangle is doing to the right and left, and relating each tangle to the other. I try to follow lines, rhythms, spaces so all things intermingle and relate. I find it really helps me achieve the "Zen" state of the Zentangle process and become totally enmeshed in what I'm doing. Looking at the big picture but not sweating the details, reveling in them!

I used Fengle (of course), Hollibough, Flying Geese, Tipple, Crescent Moon and some swirls beads and fluff. I also used a wonderful new tangle on the bottom right. It was based on a tattoo and I was taken with it when I saw it on one of the challenges. Can anyone tell me the name and creator?

Got it... the missing tangle is Allium by J.J. Labarbera, thanks Susan!
Overlay of original string

Challenge #63 - New Official Zentangle Tangle "Fengle"

The Diva's challenge for this week is #63. Laura asks us to use the new official tangle "Fengle". The official instructions came out in the Zentangle newsletter this weekend and I had a feeling that might be our challenge when I saw this wonderful new tangle. And, as always, Laura never dissappoints. So Fengle it is!

I was at a party this weekend and my friend Jeanne (fellow CZT) was telling me that she has a couple of Zentangle pieces exhibited at our local libray.  She used Fengle. How timely was that little snippet? I can hardly wait to check out the show this weekend.  There was a hint about the emerging tangle that was presented at the last CZT training so it's fun to be able to try it. Rick and Maria named it but had not deconstructed it yet. And now it is official. Yippee.

When Mooka came out Laura presented it as one of our challenges and I was smitteen! I Mookaed my brains out for a couple of weeks. I wonder if Fengle will take the same path... hmmmm.

My first version was influenced by a video link my sister Nancy sent me. She titled the email Zentangles in the Sand. The artist is Andres Amador. He does huge installations on beaches at low tide. He creates fabulous Zentangle looking patterns (tangles) that dissappear with the outgoing tide. It's fascinating, check him out! It makes me feel a little silly when I say I don't have enough time for the weekly challenge!


So, after checking out his web page, I found my Fengle feeling like a sand casting with lot's of decorative stones (pearls) to aura the edges of this fun new tangle. I think it stands up on it's own, so I did a single Fengle. I like it and I need more practice.

Second version, I'm officially hooked on Fengle!
ZIA - 8.5 x 11

Challenge #62 - Spiral Vs Paradox



Version 2
 This weeks Diva challenge #62 was presented by Marizaan van Beekm, CZT, from South Africa. The challenge is to use Spiral together with Paradox. I'm not sure I followed the parameters exactly on this challenge but I consider it thinking out of the box?

I really enjoy playing with Paradox and Spirals and Orbs of any sort, well that just goes without saying. I was not always a fan of this tangle I found no "Zen" in the tangling process when I tried to create this tangle. I would hold my breath and force my way through it, but practice, the weekly challenge, and being able to see Rick create this tangle at our CZT training #6 made it one of my faves!

My second tile remains more true to the challenge and I really enjoy the contrast and flow. I accented the edges with a thicker line width to make it pop, I don't thinks it's cheating, it's just artistic license, right?

My first version was an exercise in following the "Fans". I find that following the fans or the funnels is the key to making Paradox work for me. It takes me out of the holding my breath and thinking so hard about Paradox and just following the flow of this wonderful tangle! I enjoy the controlled uncontrol of this tangle, to create Paradox I need to concentrate and follow the process, if I lose the line, Paradox can go way out of whack. I don't need to know the exact outcome but it's nice to be able to feel more of control when creating this tangle.

I found Margaret Bremmer's study on Paradox so helpful and often use Paradox as a the basis to study in my Beyond Basics Class I. It's so much fun to watch the patterns emerge as this tangle develops on a tile.


Version 1


Challenge #61 - Use My Tangle - Golven "Wave"

This week's Diva's challenge is the "Use My Tangle" first of the month challenge. The tangle is MariĆ«t's GOLVEN, which is the Dutch word for waves.. you can find instructions for her tangle here. I love her work and have often been inspired by her tangles and style. Fun challenge.

This tile morphed into a Geographic slice of earth.