A Bevy of Tanglers

Utah Calligraphic Artists have a gallery exhibit this month at the Covey Center in Provo.  There are amazingly lovely pieces hanging, representing every form of art.  Since I taught them zentangles, I was especially pleased to see some representatives hanging there, so I thought I'd show a few.  The first is a beautiful shell designed by Nancy Ostergar, the current president of UCA.  This piece is about 7 x 10 inches.  (sorry about the glare...the windows were beautiful, but glare reduction was not possible in my limited experience.)

This next one is the traditional zentangle size of 3.5 inches square, designed by Jane Hales.

Both of these pieces have gold leaf added.

Jane had fun creating a whole zentangle alphabet.

In addition, when I went to the monthly UCA play day, many people shared their anecdotes about tangling with their families.   Margene has made it her M.O. and is sending everyone birthday cards this year with her zentangles.  Her family is buying her black and white outfits and jewelry to add to her fun.

She has made an accordion fold book with beautiful letters.  Here are a few of them.

For my part, I was asked to design a CD cover for the monthly prize offered as a bribe to those who practice during the month.  Everyone who brought evidence of practicing got a music CD for background peace of mind.

We played "Where's Waldo" in trying to find out where I signed it....I'm still a bit humble about my creations and don't want to mess them up with a signature, but people say I have to.  The beauty of this design is that it's non-directional.  In fact, the lettering artist put it upside down from this view, and labeled it  U-Tunes, standing for Utah Calligraphic Artists, studying Uncial this year.
The Valentines are in the mail.   Come back tomorrow or Monday to view some happy hearts.
Love to all.

Aspen, the Star

Last spring, I blogged about teaching zentangles to my grandson, Will's, third grade class.  While I feel extremely grateful to have three fabulous grandchildren living nearby, I feel only "half" here, because another three (and a third) grandchildren live far away, in Tennessee--the eastern part.   So, I periodically have to bribe them to come to visit.   The zentangle workshop was such an excuse, and even though we couldn't afford to bring them all here, we're lucky that Jonathon could bring Aspen, the oldest, turning ten next week. 

We hiked them up the mountain before they caught the airplane back home, since they would be sitting all day.  Great view of the valley from Desolation Trail overlook.
I'm showing you her zentangles, because she's really something.   And one of the best things about her, besides her inner and outer beauty, is that she freely admits she's an artist.  I hope she always knows that.  Here is her very first zentangle, created in May when she was here with her mom, brother and sister.  She made this for her Dad, stuck at work in TN. and she hid little messages in it, like "I love you", among others.

  The evening before our workshop, she created a show and tell for us.  This letter is about 8 inches tall, made of wood.

And her first project at the workshop was a charmer.   You can see she wrote a little quote in cursive on the upper right.   I added a mini puzzle piece of gold leaf.   She was generous enough to give it to me.  I love it.

And even though I've only shown you ONE grandchild's art, ALL of the others are artists, too, as are their most wonderful parents.   Art isn't just an activity, it's a way of life, a way of being and expressing in the world.  And it is a unique expression of a unique individual, personal to each, and precious to a grandma's heart.

Just a few of the family artists.   John, Jonathon, Aspen, and Allison.

A Group of Tangles

At last!   Someone was kind enough to send me a CD of our workshop.  While much of it was li'l ole me, demonstrating patterns, a snap was taken as evidence we accomplished something.   And the dear participants made a beautiful thank you card for me, complete with zentangles on them. 
They did a mighty fine job.
Below are some of the projects we undertook.  They could make a little booklet, tangling either the inside of the letter, or tangling around the letter, leaving it blank.....for gold, maybe?

  
The second day of the workshop was adding gold leaf.  The stunning shine doesn't photograph well, but you can get an idea of how the gold adds a touch of class.  See the little zentangle on the left?   Just a nice line of gold really pops.  Jane H. is the artist on this.

This last one is by Nancy O, one of the fine calligraphers and artists in the group.

A tangled zen preview

My camera has died.   There is no hope for a resurrection, so I cannot post any photos of the UCA Zentangle workshop until I beg for copies from some of the attendees.  In the meantime, Jonathon, co-facilitator extraordinaire, has given me permission to show his work.   In his blog, he writes:
CAVEAT: If you are not familiar with Zentangles, this is not a good example of one!  For the following reasons:

1. It uses color.
2. It does not use ANY known zentangle patterns (called "tangles").
3. It has an orientation (that is, there is a "right-side up" to it.

But for those of you familiar with Zen, this is what my Buddha Nature wanted to draw today.  What can you say to that?

 You can see what a very artistic and talented son I have, and I am extremely proud and grateful.
And as soon as I get a new camera, I'll show what my equally talented 10 year old (almost) granddaughter, Aspen,  created in the workshop.   Stay tuned.

I got a new set of graphitint pencils (Derwent), which I used to color this one.

Whether one is doodling in zen, tangling, or merely following one's Buddha nature, I hope you'll pick up a pen and have a moment to yourself.   Breathe, accept, let go......ahhhh.

Zentangle workshop for Calligraphers

I'm on the steep learning curve, out-of-my-league here.   On October 8th, I'll be teaching a full day zentangle workshop to the Utah Calligraphic Artists guild.  This is a group of incredible, amazing, dedicated artists in every way, and yet, they invited me to be their fall workshop presenter for one day...(breathe, exhale, focus.....whew.)   The thing that makes me the happiest is that Jonathon is coming along, all the way from Tennessee, doing the techy stuff, power point presentation, and being the hands-on demonstrator.  I'm practicing daily, just to have some samples ready.  I've defined my responsibility as giving the essentials needed, showing lots of possibilities, and encouraging original, creative thinking.   Since the second day of the workshop is about laying down gold leaf, ala Illuminated Letters, taught by the local calligrapher and bookbinding extraordinaire, Louona Tanner (see Reggie Ezell's photos of the year for her work), we'll design some letters, and then move along to borders.   I think zentangles will be a dynamite jumping off point for calligraphers to design borders to go along with their lovely letters.   Here are a few sample ideas I've been doodling with, just for fun:

Invitation:   If you have any zentangle samples, photos of your projects, ideas, etc.  please send them along.   I will give you 15 minutes of fame at the workshop, and you will be presented in the Power Point.   The workshop is still open, and you can sign up for either day, or both. 
See the UCA website for details.

Group Zentangle and inspired friends

Last Friday I went to the art festival at Jeremy Ranch Elementary.  Here is the BIG Finish to the third grade group zentangle project.  Not bad for 8-9 year olds, right?   It's about 20 inches square and hangs proudly outside Mrs. Thompson's class.

And here are two photos from a husband and wife duo who were the most enthusiastic creative meditators.   They went home after the last class and produced these beauties for their kitchen.
George loved zentangles most for the meditative qualities, and Pearl loved the acrylic paints.
"No more second hand art".    Yea for George and Pearl.

Zentangles in Education

As a retired educator from the Salt Lake City School District, I was invited by my artist/teacher friend, Trish Clay, to teach a zentangle workshop for art educators.  There were 10 participants who used the ideas in their classrooms.  East High School (yes, the REAL High School Musical setting) produced two fine bulletin boards at the District Office.  Three different activities are presented here;  single black and white six inch squares, large 9 x 12 inch background watercolor wash with zentangles added afterward, and small panels of four by a single artist.   The best thing about this type of lesson is that it's something everyone can do and feel excited about.  I only wish the teachers had put the student's name on the work.   Everyone deserves to be recognized for their accomplishments.

Here is a gallery of some of the pieces.  It is only limited by my very poor photography skills.

Zentangles for Third Grade @ Jeremy Ranch Elementary

 

Doodling is conducive to even the youngest children.   The owners of a creative preschool/art class/daycare center have been taking my Creative Meditation class, and found that zentangle activities really focus and calm the little ones.   They put out a large sheet of paper and let all the kids participate.   

Zentangles are non-fail projects which encourage even the most timid.   Here are our photos from Jeremy Ranch.   For these kids, I stepped away from the  tiny 3.5 inch squares of the traditional zentangle and gave them die cut shapes of their choosing.   LOVE IT !   We created a large group project where everyone got a space, and each child could make as many individual ones as an hour could hold.   You can see their intensity and focus.   ( I wore my zentangle shoes, of course.)