The Diva's Weekly Challenge #111: "More-Mooka-Madness Monotangle-Mania"

The Diva's Challenge this week was to create a tile using just the tangle 'Mooka'. Last week the challenge was to try something new. And in a couple of weeks time CZT Jean Theurkauf, CZT will be visiting us at  Franklin Art Center (Franklin MA) to present a 'Touch of Color' workshop to introduce the idea of adding a touch of color to their zentangle designs. So... This week I used Mooka as a tangle and tried out some watercolor pencils. It's not true zentangle, but rather an example of Zentangle Inspired Art otherwise known as a ZIA :)

Zentangle Inspired Art using 'Mooka'

Spring into Zentangle classes this Sunday

It's very nearly spring, but still cold enough that we want activities to do indoors. Decorated eggs can remind us that the season for new beginnings... and warmer weather... are on the way. If you are looking for a new way to decorate your eggs, come in to learn Zentangle this weekend at Franklin Art Center with a special 'Spring into Zentangle' Beginners workshop (1:30-3:30pm). And if you are already familiar with Zentangle, we will also be tangling eggs (and exploring the tangle 'Rick's Paradox') at Sunday's Tangle Time class (4-5:30pm). Participants of the Beginner's class are welcome to stay and join us for Tangle Time. Please call or email me to register for either (or both!) classes.

'Spring Into Zentangle' Beginners Workshop
Sunday March 24th, 2013
1:30-3:30pm
Franklin Art Center, 5 Main Street, Franklin MA

This two hour workshop introduces you to the Zentangle method, explaining concepts, history and applications. You will learn several Zentangle patterns and be guided through the creation of your first Zentangle tiles. To make this class special for spring everyone will receive an (empty) eggshell to start tangling during class and to take home to complete. Participants may wish to consider staying for the Tangle Time class which follows this workshop (see below). Ages 8 and up. No experience necessary. Class fee: $35, materials included. Senior and parent/child discounts available.

Tangle Time: The Paradoxical Egg
Sunday March 24th, 2013
4-5:30pm
Franklin Art Center, 5 Main Street, Franklin MA
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Not sure if we will be able to answer that question, but during this Tangle Time class we will explore 'Rick's Paradox', a beautiful tangle which, using just a single line repeated again and again, can produce beautiful, delicate, intricate patterns. Learn how to use it to fill spaces of any shape and size and how to create 'fan' and 'twisted column' effects. We will discuss the pros and cons of different pens/pencils for use on eggs, and eggs (not chickens!) and Zentangle tiles will be provided for participants to tangle. Tangle Time classes include 30mins of quiet tangle time to allow students to become absorbed in their work and experience the relaxation benefits of Zentangle. Students are welcome to bring their own tangling projects to work on during our quiet tangling time and may also bring iPods with head phones if they have preferred music they like to listen to during their quiet tangle time. Class fee:$15, Please bring your Zentangle kit; eggs and Zentangle tiles are included in the fee. 

The Diva's Weekly Challenge #109: "Zentangle Quest"

Every week The Diva sets a challenge online for the Zentangle community to participate in. This week's challenge was based on a blog post by Maria Thomas, one of the two founders of Zentangle. The challenge involved parallel lines overlayed by bands. I had so much fun filling in the columns and bands, especially since I love to play with 3D effects, but was not sure what I wanted to do with the open spaces in between. Then I thought of my brown micron pen and remembered Maria's blog post about staining tiles with tea applied with a small paintbrush.I will definitely be working with all these ideas again!