Inspiration

 

If this tile could talk, it would tell you that it has given wings to it's creator. 

In a Basics class last month, I had the pleasure of teaching a wonderful group of women, one of whom was Carolyn, a retired school teacher from the Pittsburgh area.  (A mention of the city always wins my heart!)

The class discussion about Zentangle®  and the philosophy of no mistakes only creative opportunities, eraser-less pencils, etc. (see yesterday's post:Wednesday's Words of Wisdom) was well noted and appreciated by the time the first tiles were completed.  There was magic in the air by the start of our second tile. 

I instructed the class through the dots, border, string, and the first tangle pattern. On to the second tangle and from her corner of the table, Carolyn blurted out, "Oh, I made a mistake!"

Without missing a beat, the class encouraged and reminded her that there would be none of that!

We had a good laugh, finished up our time together, and everyone took their second tile home to complete.

The next day, Carolyn sent the above photo.  It took my breath away.

 As I write, she is cruising and tangling her way through Alaska.  I texted Carolyn last evening to ask permission to use her work in today's post.  Her reply: 

"I would be honored for you to use it.  That tile gave me wings."

Ah!  The joy of Zentangle carries on.  Thank you Carolyn.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Webster defines wisdom as, "1a: accumulated philosophic or scientific learning:
                                                      KNOWLEDGE
                               b: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships: INSIGHT 
                               c: good sense:  JUDGMENT..."

Sometimes words of wisdom come in snip-its when I least expect them.  Like a dandelion's seeds blowing by, I grab them and write them down so I won't forget or mull them over in my mind, hoping they'll stay awhile.  (The older I get the more mulling that requires!)

While shopping at one of my favorite local design shops, a plaque that hung on the wall above the register caught my attention.  It read:       

To live a creative life we must   

first lose our  fear of being wrong.

I wrote that one down.

As Rick Roberts writes in The Book of Zentangle:

"We say that in Zentangle, there are no mistakes.  You can look at them as what Bob Ross, the late renowned painting instructor, called "happy accidents."  It may not be what you planned or expected, but that is part of the magic of Zentangle.  It opens a space for something new because it is not limited by an expected outcome.  What seems like an "oops," can be the foundation for something new and exciting."  (p 42)

A poignant reminder is the absence of an eraser on a Zentangle pencil.

 

 

It is freeing to break from the hold of fear in your life - no matter what the source.  It is freeing to be creative and realize that there are only positive possibilities for the outcome of your artistic endeavors.

Pick up a tile and tangle with renewed confidence today!

Tickled that it's Tuesday

Always a fan of alliteration, I am tickled to say that it's Tuesday and Tuesday is your good news day as my dad is want to say.

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that Tickled to Tangle will host the newest weekly Zentangle® challenge on the web.  It's focus centers around the element of strings and the "elegance of limits" they afford.  My goal is to provide an avenue for an enjoyable journey into a more fluid practice of Zentangle.

Every Tuesday beginning one week from today - yes, you will have to wait just a bit -  I will post a challenge to my fellow tangle enthusiasts.  Pictures will be posted every Monday featuring a selection of tiles submitted from that week's challenge. But enough for now....more details to come!

I follow in the footsteps of  my fellow CZT™'s who's work is inspiring - a tall order, to be sure.  The Diva Challenge has been an invaluable resource for years.  Mandala Dare lends another dimension with the art of Zendalas™.  The talented Jane Monk and one of my absolute favorites,  Sandy Bartholomew, have recently started their daily and weekly challenges.  It's a privilege to be in their company.

Stay tuned - details to follow as the countdown to Tuesday begins!

Butterflies Everywhere!

On the heels of my post Celebrating Ann, I opened the newspaper to see a colorful array of photos highlighting home goods in butterfly motifs.  Talk about timing! 

The article, "Flight Patterns" by Elaine Markoutsas, touts the use of color and inspiration from butterflies in home décor and fashion this season.

A quick search on Google images using any home related word - chair, plate, pillow, etc. - reinforces the fact that the influence of butterflies is everywhere.



Veronica taper chair (West Elm Photo)

axoris.com

 

Christain Lacroix Maison Plate

 



 

The author quotes artist Chris Reilly -  who's latest exhibit featured butterfly inspired art - as saying,

"We live in a cynical age, with a lot of fear.  Butterflies are an antidote to fear and cynicism, the opposite of anger.  When I see butterflies, I feel joy."

 

That made my heart happy.  Tangling spreads joy.  Tangling Ann multiplies the joy! 

Try it in a tile today.  Find a butterfly graphic that you like and try your hand at coming up with your own variation on a pattern...the world is full of possibilities - and joy!

 



Tangle a Cake?!

Last month marked many birthdays in our family and we celebrate them royally.  Not only does the birthday boy/girl get to select the dinner menu, he/she also gets to choose the cake flavor and design.  Over the years, I have made some pretty elaborate cakes. 

It was Nancy's turn in the first week of July.  Her cake request: a simple round cake decorated with Fancy Nancy - the tangle pattern that I named for her.  It was such a sweet and simple request that it warmed my heart for countless reasons.

Here are a few pictures of the process:



 First, I baked a layer cake and iced it smooth with buttercream. 

 Next, using black icing in a pastry bag, I piped Fancy Nancy around the top border of the cake.  

 

 

Lastly, I added the birthday greeting.

 

And here is the fabulous birthday girl in all her glory - complete with crown!

 



 

I have heard other Zentangle enthusiasts say that "no surface is safe" and this is proof positive in such a sweet way!

Celebrating Ann

Believe it or not, this is actually the first tangle pattern that I ever developed.  I have been waiting for the just the right time to publish it - and today is the day.

This pattern is named Ann in remembrance of our daughter Catherine's dearest friend who was taken suddenly from this life.  It reminds me that in the great sorrow and void she left, there is renewed hope and faith for those who loved her. 

Any time we see a yellow butterfly we are reminded of her.  The butterfly symbolizes new life, the hope we have in the promise of Eternal Life after our days here are over.  It is beauty and grace - and that was Ann...

Here is the step out for the tangle pattern Ann:

 And here is Ann used in a tile with Cack, the pattern I named for our daughter Catherine -

My string was triangular and I did use a dot grid to make Ann on the left side.  I added pearls to the string lines on the top and right side.

The pattern is very versatile because you can stack or stagger it.  You can also drop the pattern in most anywhere with a single butterfly. 

Here is a ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) piece that I made for our daughter Isabella.  It's actually the front of a card. 

 

 

I really packed a lot of tangles into this piece but if you look over the letter "a" in Isabella, you will see an example of using  Ann in a singular form.

 

In the end, the step-out for the tangle pattern Ann is an easy, very teachable way to draw a delicately beautiful butterfly.