#32 Surprise

#032 01/24/2013

I've been drawing Zentangles for just over a month now, and really enjoying it.   I find myself doing mini ones in my notes at work now.  It is definitely a stress reliever!

I love how a string starts out looking like one thing, and when you fill it in, it is completely different when it's done.   I also really love to watch it go from plain drawing to a 3-D pop once shadowing is added.

I need to start taking some before and after pics.  I'll work on doing that for some future pieces. :)

Patterns Used:   Nipa, Phicops, Punzel, Girdy, Bumps, Knight's Bridge, Fern

"Leaf" No Lines

#031 01/23/2013

I'm trying to adjust my artwork to be more in line with classic Zentangle techniques .. one of the big things for that is to not actually draw over the string lines between each pattern, but instead let them just bump up against each other and hide the pencil lines in the patterns and shading.

I struggle with this a little, and I feel like I am "cheating" a bit by putting the straight edges of some of the patterns right on those string lines ... so while not drawing the lines as strings, I'm still drawing them as patterns.    Baby steps, huh? :)

Patterns Used:  Batllo, Shattuck, Static, Click Clack, Foot Lites, Beadlines, Bitten, Punch, Bunzo

Nature Speaks

#030 01/22/2013

Here's my thirtieth completed ZIA (zentangle inspired art) piece.    I decided to focus on patterns that remind me of natural elements.  When I look at these tangles, I see flowers, spider webs, sticks, pine needles, bubbles, rocks, seashells, sunshine, straw, and more.

What do you see?

Patterns:  Hollibaugh, Crescent Moon, DL Sunray, Girdy, Verdigogh, Tipple, and more of my own style.

Moebius Awareness

#029 01/21/2013 

As part of Diva's newest weekly challenge (#103), this pattern features the logo of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation.  You can learn more about the disorder on her blog post.

Patterns used:  Reticulated, Floatfest, Auraknot, Fescu, Shattuck, Birch

Bow on Top

#028 01/20/2013

I decided to stick with the ribbon and bow theme for today since it was so much fun yesterday.   These could definitely be addictive!

Patterns used:  Knight's Bridge, Lyons Tile, Onamato, Frilly Vic, XY, Holt, Raffia, Zigazigah

This original artwork card is available on my Etsy shop (while it lasts)!

Funky Loops

#027 01/19/2013

I saw some twisted ribbon designs while perusing Flickr and was inspired to try some of my own.  Here is my first attempt.  I freehand drew the loops and then filled in each one with a different pattern.

Patterns Used:  Barber Pole, Bilt, Coaster, Copada, Shattuck, Jonqual, Sand Swirl, Echoism, Feathers, Hypnotic

This original artwork card is available on my Etsy shop (while it lasts)!

Valentine Postcard

#026 01/18/2013

It might be because Valentine's Day is coming up and all the stores are full of heart-shaped items, but I've been in a heart mood lately.   I made this postcard and crammed it full of lots of patterns.  It was fun to practice so many different patterns in one piece.

Patterns Used: Knight's Bridge, Twisted Rope, Dutch Hourglass, Reticulated, Worms, Zin, Sand Swirl, Fescu, Clothesline, Verve, Queen's Crown, Meer, Tipple, Phicops, Bunzo, Tagh, Batllo

This particular one is already gone, but others are available for purchase in my Etsy shop!