Diva Challenge #301 - DuoTangle (Sort of) - Paradox vs Diva Dance

DuoTangle (Sort of) - Paradox, Diva Dance,
and a little Lumpi,

The Diva features Rick and Maria's video "Kitchen Table Tangles" with Rick doing his Paradox with Diva Dance. He does it with such patience and structure, love watching his process and listening to both he and Maria.

I really love Paradox, but we were not always friends, with persistence, and lot's of practice, we became very close. I enjoy the way this tangle takes on different forms depending on the original shape / structure that encases Paradox. I chose to begin with a square and let it build from there.

I always feature this tangle in my Beyond Basics class. I feel it's one of the tangles that takes complete concentration, it makes you pay attention. I also enjoy the fact that is can really morph into such a beautiful organic, curvy delight. I tried to show the variation of form, line weight, the difference adjusting spacing of each line makes in the look of Paradox.

Lumpi is a tangle by Natalie Plechova that I just came across on YouTube and I had to incorporate it. I TRIED to keep this a DuoTangle, but I am WEAK...

I tucked my chop in the same fashion as Rick's, inspiration by our fearless leaders :)

Check out all the other great submissions this week at Diva Central.

Challenge #254 - Valentangle, Beet Juice is Yummy, and colorful too

Valentangle 1 - with Gourdgeous-like Hearts, Flowers, Molygons,
Mooka, Tipple, Spirals, Paradox, and lot's of Rounding, Shading 
and Auras, added the beet juice, and water color pencils

This weeks Diva Challenge #254 is a "Valentangle" challenge, just in time for Valentine's day. Laura asks us to create a a piece with a Valentine's Day Flair. I chose to honor this day with hearts, flowers, and the beautiful blush color that beets bring to this piece.  Someone else in this challenge shared about using leftover beets for her background, this inspired me. Sorry, I didn't bookmark it, but I had to try it. I applied the beet juice (pickled beets are my preference), splattered juice on my paper with a toothbrush. I then blew dry my paper and ironed it to set the color. Ironing/ heating the paper gave a wonderful quality to the surface which was even better for my microns pens and pencils.

My sister is a jeweler and she Anneals metal (heats it) to strengthen and harden the final metal pieces. This same process must work with paper. I used a heavy/toothy velum bond. so I was pleased it accepted being painted and heated so well.

I did use red watercolor pencil to enhance the beet juice coloring but I did use the beet juice as my flow medium with a brush for the watercolor pencils. I also added a little wash of coffee to the center portion this morning.  This is a result of many layers of media and washes.

I taught a wonderful Zendala class this past week and this piece was a result of the snowflake Mandala template creation process. This was the result of my snowflake tracing example which grew and modified as I worked on it this week. I really didn't like the way it was going but I kept at it all week. I added hearts and let the tangles talk to me and tell me what to do next. The result is something that I am happy with but the process was so much fun.

Here are some process pictures.
The original snowflake cutout I created as an example in class which gave me my layout and
string to trace for the Zendala. I let my string guide me, not rule me.

As you can see, changes were made, but that's all part of the process.

Snowflake template overlaid, then  
trace the cutout areas  your string
to your create

Initial development of
the Valentangle / Zendala

Valentangle 2 - String #131

I created a second Valentangle based on It's a String Thing #131, third in the series of heart shaped challenges. I continued my food stain coloration experiments by using spring lettuce to create my green background. I julienned a few leaves, then rubbed them into my paper, then ironed it. I also added touches of beet juice accents but found it turned a brownish color when I ironed it (the iron was set too high). I added watercolor pencil over the applied food coloring.

I used a Mooka / Hollibaugh Heart tangleation and continued my gourdeous-heart enhancements. Some stippling, highlights and shading.

Check out all the other submissions for this weeks Diva Challenge #254.

Challenge #119 - Ebony and Ivory

Center (black Kooty Catcher) attached,
closed

Center (black Kooty Catcher) attached, partially opened -
you can peek on the inside

Center (black Kooty Catcher), attached to top.
fully opened, lying flat

The Diva's challenge this week #119 asked us to deal with Black (Ebony) and White (Ivory) and tried to have equal amounts of both in our tile. Laura suggested using high contrast tangles like Knightbridge, Alium, etc. Those which have strong contrast between light and dark. Thats one way to do it. I chose to emulate Maria Thomas' current Zentangle block post using black and white tiles. Check it out, it's phenomenal!

I folded a black card stock square in the old "Kooty Catcher" fashion for the center, laid it on my white tile and outlined it loosely. I am okay with the fact that it's not perfectly aligned on the white tile, my "process" can be seen.

I then tangled my white tile leaving the outline center square blank. I used Paradox for the corners and then a curvey, undulating Muchin tangleation, and a little Tipple for texture.

I then worked on the black: layed it on my white tile fully opened and flat, and kept lifting the corners to reference the tangles underneath. After the center (inside) of the black was complete, or at least outlined with the white gel pen, I closed my catcher and completed the closed version referencing and continuing the tangles from the white tile onto the black.

I didn't glue it down till it was complete so the reference is not perfect, it moved, but I really love the results and it was a learning process. I used a few pieces of double-sided tape to attach the Kooty Catcher to the center of the white tile.

Once I got everything basically drawn and lined up I went back in and added shading (graphite on the white tile) and white pencil on the black. It's not perfect but it was an exciting and totally Zen experience. I Loooove it! (if I do say so myself). I'm definitely going to do this again and try to align it perfectly. This was my first version so I have so many other versions to come, no?

I'm going to try and get some pictures with my camera to show the dimension. I scanned the first three views so the flatbed doesn't do the 3-D aspect any justice.

showing completed tiles separately; front and back of black tile

Scanned in tile with black catcher opened
I hope you can sort of see the inside and the 3-D effect

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 #112- Use My Tangle - Tuxedo by LeAnn

The Diva's challenge this week is a Use My Tangle first Monday of the month challenge using LeAnn (Ledenzer) tangle Tuxedo, check out her directions. It's a pretty structured tangle that is not in my comfort zone. So I was a little trepidatious especially  after viewing some of the wonderful solutions for this week. So, I took a deep breathe then jumped in and tried to go with the flow (as is my nature). I just concentrated on the lovely curves and overlaps this tangle creates. My version is wonky and only slightly resembles LeAnn's beautiful tangle, but I enjoyed the process and the exploration. I let it flow and tried to breathe and relax, "there are no mistakes in the Zentangle process" right?

So here it is, sort of, Tuxedo, Lampions, Beadz, Float fest and lots of leaves, Aura's, and Perfs, who knew Check out all the wonderful solutions to this week's challenge at the Diva's site.

Version 2 - Tuxedo with Inapod centers, Hollibaugh
with Flux, Paradox, Crescent Moon,
Spinning Squares, and some Beadz.

Challenge #89: UMT v. IX: "Sankegg"

This week's challenge #89: UMT v. IX: "Sankegg".It was inspired by the world's largest Pysanka Egg Laura and her family saw on their way back from Edmonton.  Laura posted a picture putting out the challenge to anyone wanting to figure out the Y pattern on the Egg and deconstruct it. Maria Vennekens, CZT from the Netherlands emailed the breakout instructions for the tangle she named Sankegg the next day.

Not one of my all time faves but it was interesting. I found it very challenging (not enough room for the wonkiness of my style, I'm not a straight-line gal!). Many renditions later... I finally came up with something I didn't totally hate.

I started this tile with a zig-zag string, created a triangle crescent moonish tangle with lot's of auras on one end. Next, an unsuccessful attempt at Sankegg with triangle (morphed into little dangling spears). Since there are no mistakes in the Zentangle process, I went with it and embellished. When in doubt, embellish and shade the heck out of it! FINALLY, a tangle that actually resembled Sankegg, added Paradox in the negative spaces, some curvelinear Hollibaugh and Tipple to offset the spikey tangles, topped off with a little Zedbra to balance and add contrast. Voila!

Zendala Dare Catch Up #20 - #22

Challenge #22
Monotangle: Variations of Arc Flower

Zendala Dare #21:
Tipple, Paradox, Assunta, Crescent Moon

Zendala Dare #20:
 Printemps, Auraknot, Tipple, Crosshatch,
some screws, and Spiky Wire 

I've been playing catch up with Erin's Zendala Dares. I find I start them but need to put them aside for a while and come back and revisit them. I'm not usually satisfied with my first attempt and it seems a little overwhelming, so I set it aside. When I come back to the piece, revisit it, I can dive back in and add shading and some line work and I'm satisfied with the results.

For Challenge #22 I was able to sit down and complete my piece in one sitting. I used the 3.5 inch tile size. Erin asked us to do a monotangle for this piece and I enjoyed taking the basic elements and deconstructing them and using them in a variety of sizes and variations. Arc Flower is a fun pattern and flows easily, thanks JJLaBarbera.

For challenges #20 and #21 I chose the large single Zendala template on a letter size sheet. For all the patterns that need to go into a piece I feel I need the space. It takes much longer but I do enjoy the process. I usually put my piece down for a couple of days and then revisit it, add more contrast and shading. With Zendalas I find I need more time and tend to do more versions. Maybe the process will get a little more refined but I'm enjoying the journey.

I work on a laptop and have discovered that I can use my laptop screen as a light table to transfer the template directly to my paper. I open up my laptop fully and then I have a flat surface light table. I make sure to use a very light touch when I trace so I don't damage my screen. This is the best technique for me because it keeps the organic feel to the template when I'm tracing free-hand rather than printing them out.  I'm a graphic designer and  pulled this technique out of my bag of tricks. For the larger Zendalas I use a heavyweight Velum bristol that works well with this tracing method. This also works on a regular computer monitor but doing the tracing on a 90 degree angle is a little more challenging.

Linda Farmer's String #15

Linda Farmer of tanglepatterns.com presents a weekly string for tangling. This weeks string #15. This one is shared by Courtney Frantz, CZT from Texas.

Courtney states, “I drew this string using a photo of an abandoned church as inspiration. I find photographs to be a great source of inspiration when I am stumped for a string. Of course, I don’t draw or outline the entire photo … just take a few basic lines as a starter.”

I tried using some of the tangles from Linda's Tangle Refresher: Tuftid, Warble Eggs, then some Paradox, Tipple, Knightsbridge, and Shattuck.

Check out tanglepatterns.com for more strings and tangles!

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 #48 - Sue Clark - String Theory v. VII: "Tri-Shapes"



Version One - Using familiar tangles
Knightbridge, Floatfest, Crescent Moon, Tipple, Munchin,
Paradox, and Lampions (seed pods), Beadlines

Version 2 - New tangles
Unyum, Spinners, Arches, and Antidots, and a little Paradox point 

Sue Clark, CZT from Colorado is the guest host for this week's Diva Challenge for Week #48. Sue asks us to create a string using three basic shapes (circle, square, and triangle). Fun brain teaser as always. These three shapes don't seem to lend themselves to the same string but it was a fun challenge. Thanks Sue!

In version one, I didn't follow the rules. I used some of my favorites: Crescent Moon, Knightsbridge, Paradox, Tipple, Floatfest (one of my faves), Beadlines, and Lampions/Seed Pods (that's what I call them). Some of my Floatfest has a little striping to mimic a BTL Joos. A busy little organic ZIA but I like the result.

In version 2 I followed Sue's suggestion and used unfamiliar tangles with one faves: Unyum, Spinners, Arches, Antidots, and a little Paradox point (had to throw one fave in). I think the results work!

As I look out and see snowflakes and think of winter, I hope this is my sun catcher for the inevitable upcoming short, grey, winter days! Grasp those little sun rays oh ZIA!

Influencing the weather has always been a dream of mine. As children we lived off the boardwalk in Long Beach, Long Island, NY. We were living in a small apartment house with my father and a hurricane was slapping the Long Island shore.

We were given strict instructions by my father when he left for work that morning to stay off the beach. But his 3 darling daughters had other ideas. It was so exciting to stand on the beach and watch the waves crashing to the shore, how could we resist?

We thought our dad would never know. So we snuck down to the beach and held hands while chanting and swinging our arms up to the heavens... "Oh King Neptune, King of the Sea..." a little ritual we thought would get rid of the big ol' storm. In the midst of our chant several waves crashed on shore soaking the 3 of us to the bone.

We were safe (no thanks to our little stunt) but sopping wet. There was no way we could sneak back before my father got home from work and clean up quickly enough to hide the drowned rat look we receive from King Neptune on our little excursion.

Needless to say, my father, was not a happy camper when he arrived home to find we had totally disregarded his warning. We didn't get out to the beach for quite a while after that, and worst of all, all our efforts hadn't stopped the hurricane!

Challenge #38 - Better Than a Pair of Ducks

Version 1 - Outline and shading

Version 2 - It's all about the lines, and..
going outside of the lines and adding some
 swirls and baubles

Version 3 - A little added texture

The Divas' challenge this week asks us to work on a Monotangle with Paradox, or "A Pair of Ducks" as the Diva says.

This was a request by Maria, this is a challenging tangle, one I only use only sparingly it does take much more concentration but once you get into the motion and start turning your tile it is very relaxing. I really enjoy using leaf shapes and squares for this pattern. It makes it more organic and lyrical? (love that word!)

Shading is a wonderful enhancement for this tangle. There's a lot of serendipity involved with this tangle, get into the motion and it's... oh that's what is formed? Kool!