Still In A Zen Mood

While I am really pleased with my last Zentangle, I still think it could have been better.  I have said this before, but whenever I scan my artwork, every flaw seems to scream at me.  I have a rule with myself:  Once I declare it finished, I never, no matter how much it bothers me, I never edit or erase.  That's how I learn.  And I have;  never again will I use a colored pencil to draw the outline.  I know, there are no rules really, but for me, it simply does not work.  I have ordered an inexpensive set of pens I shall use from now on.

I have stared a new Zen.  So far, so good.  I had to stop because I was not feeling well.  It's fine though.  I have ideas swimming in my mind for where to go next.  I'm happy with the outcome so far.


I'm seeing a lot of Zentangle workshops.  I even found a woman in Columbia that teaches... maybe I can talk her into starting a class!  I know this is an easy, free-flowing art form, but there are actually names for the shapes you incorporate!  If anything, I can meet new Zentanglers (Maybe I can doodle out some Jingtinglers and Floobfloobers come next Christmas)!  I'd love that!

All Zentangled Up In Blue.. And Pink, Green...

Wow.  I have totally neglected this blog, haven't I?  Maybe neglect is the incorrect word.  I guess I wasn't inspired.  That saddens me, as art is always on my mind.  It's in my blood.  I suppose if I am not creating it, at least I am observing other artists... famed and not.

Recently, my health has - again - declined.  I was surprised to learn that I will need more surgery.  Okay, surprised is not the word.  Shocked.  Gobsmacked.  Pain is a factor.  Fear factor.  Oh yeah.  I needed a distraction.  But what? 

I had books.  I found myself reading without knowing what I had just read.   I could not concentrate.  Too much on my mind.  I could crochet... but I don't have any yarn... or the funds to get some.  I was in a mood to create.  I wanted to draw.  I wanted to draw, but did not have the energy, mentally and physically, to do a portrait.  What to draw?  I fought with myself.  Why must it be this difficult to draw something?  Anything?  Why is it so hard to come up with something?   Art shouldn't be hard.

I decided to grab my sketch book and just see what happened.  I tried to clear my mind.  Not that I had a choice;  taking narcotic pain meds took care of that.  So, here I was:  In bed, pain ebbing.  Before I knew it, I found myself thinking about when I was in Jr. high school.  I was back in 9th grade English.  Listening to Mr. Applestein drone on and on about subjects and predicates, I would doodle.  On my yellow English folder.  I drew circles and lines.  No order to them... but they seemed to fit together.  Every day, I'd add more to my folder as my teacher bored me.  I tell ya, I wish I still had that folder.  I filled the entire folder - back and front - with doodles.

As I thought about this, I found myself drawing circles.  Tiny circles.  Soon I had a bunch of them.   I added some lines.  More circles.  More lines.  Before I knew it, Alex was home from school.  I had to take a break.  Not only did I want to catch up with my son and discuss his day, but I was really starting to hurt again.  Sitting for long periods of time is now a thing I simply cannot do.

I showed him my doodling.  "Wow... that's really cool, Ma!"  I got the same reaction from my son, Aaron and my husband.  I decided to fill the page.  This was really fun!  One line at a time.  One circle at a time.  No rules.  Just let it flow.  The more lines and circles I drew, the more inspired I became.  It just flowed out of me;  pain forgotten.  YES!

There is actually a true name for this artform:  Zentangles.  A perfect word!  The following is taken from Zentangle.com:   

Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It is a fascinating new art form that is fun and relaxing. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. Zentangle is enjoyed by a wide range of skills and ages and is used in many fields of interest.

New?  Perhaps the term Zentangle is new.  The art form is not.

While it is not an instant gratification, it is a much quicker art form.  It is best not to plan your design out, however, if you want to incorporate something in particular, there are no laws saying you can't.  The lovely thing about Zentangles is that you just let yourself draw... with no direction.  You will suddenly find yourself with an amazing pattern emerging.

Most Zentangles are done with a fine-tipped pen and not filled in with color.  Again, no law says you cannot add color.  Here is mine.  It took me three days.

The scan is horrible... and next time I'll not use a colored pencil for the lines and outlines because they smudge, but I"m very proud of how this turned out.

I am now so very inspired.  Unfortunately, I will have to refrain from drawing another Zentangle until the blisters on my right thumb and index finger heal.  The next one will be done with a fine-tipped pen, not a black Prismacolor pencil... or pencils.  I went through three of them outlining every single circle... and every line.   Using a black colored pencil smears horribly.  Live and learn.

 

If you look closely at the design of my blog, it too is a Zentangle.  

I love this art form.  I love its name.  It truly is a Zen mess... 

Until next time,

Keep drawing!