Journal and Mixed Media Book Review

I requested a variety of journaling and mixed media books from my library to explore.  I'm fortunate because while my local library doesn't have these books, I can order them from libraries around the state.  I want to recommend a few for you to look into.  The first two books I recommend are:

Art Journal Freedom and Art Journal Courage by Dina Wakley.   If you want to understand the principles of composition these are the books for you! Clear explanations and sample step by step projects to figure out things like the rule of 1/3rd, using white space, and repetition.

Here are some art journal pages I created based upon Dina's books.  Enjoy!

Awesome video - Mandalas for Beginners!

I have been having a lot of fun drawing mandalas lately and took the 100 Mandalas challenge.  The challenge is to draw 100 mandalas in 100 days, but I'm on the slower track of just drawing 100 mandalas sometime in the next year or two.  

This is a great video that shows you how to draw and color a mandala in about 10 minutes.  Check it out here.  

Enjoy!

Free Hamsa Coloring Book

I'm honored to have one of my pieces selected to be included in this free downloadable coloring book!  Check it out Free Hamsa Coloring Book!
 

Worth a listen

If you have ever feared creating something.
If you have ever felt too vulnerable to start drawing.
If you have ever needed a big hug and a booster shot of encouragement.
Listen to this.

I have read all of Brene Brown's work and her wisdom has helped me live a more joyful and authentic life.  I value courage. I want to hear your story.  If you haven't listened to Brene's TED talks you can find them here and here.  

ZIA Ball

Another fun tangle and fold project! Tangle strips of cardstock and then fold into a cool ball!  Find the instructions here!

My painting featured in the 100 Mandalas 2016 Calendar!

I'm so delighted to have my hand drawn mandala painting featured in the Month of March!  You can go here to see the calendar!  Happy Happy Day!

Origami Tangled Trees!

Super cute and fun trees you can tangle and fold for the holidays.  I used a white gel pen on the green paper.  You can find the YouTube instructions here.  Enjoy!

Tic Tac Toe

This is a very simple, yet completely fun way to use your tangling sills!  Create a Tic Tac Toe board out of card stock. This is a 6 inch square of paper with a grid drawn to fit the size circle punch I had.  I tangled around the border and then punched out some circles from contrasting color cardstock and tangled away. I used the patterns nipa and florz to tangle on my "X's and O's" punch outs.

Fun Folding!

These super fun origami butterflies were so easy to make!! You can find YouTube instructions  here
or  here. Be sure to put a small binder clip at the connection where you add glue so it holds!

Recycled Water Bottle Bangles

Go grab some clear plastic liter sized water bottles from your recycling bin and make some bangles!!  Great project for kids! Find the You Tube instructions here!  I photocopied some of my completed tiles on an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper and then sliced them down to fit the bangle!  Voila!

Confessions of a bad blogger

Even though I started blogging in 2005 I have not been as consistent as I would like.  I guess 'life happens' and I fall off the wagon.  Now, it's time to get back on the horse!  Last year we moved from Philadelphia to Ohio and I started a new position as an Assistant Professor of Gerontology at Miami University.  It's a wonderful position and we are glad to be back in the mid-west.  However, the move impacted my Zentangle teaching so I have been learning some new painting techniques and thought I would share those for some 'eye candy'.  I hope to build my business back up and offer art journaling classes in addition to zentangle.  I just wanted to say hi and let you all know I'm still here, taking one stroke at a time:).  

Completed Sketchbook Project

The Sketchbook Project is a global, crowd-sourced art project and interactive, traveling exhibition of handmade books. Their mission is to allow anyone to be able to participate in art and to create a collection of work that represents the current state of artists worldwide.

The title of my book was First Aid for the Soul and here is a sneak peak at my book that will be cataloged, digitized, and go on tour later this year.  I combined zentangle, gelatin monoprints, and the quotes that get me through the day.  It was such a rewarding experience that I encourage all of you to consider participating.  You can order your sketchbook now and it will be due 1/15/15.  I'm ready to do another one!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I received this postcard from Mary Ann Scheblein-Dawson who attended the very first CZT training class!  She used the tangles Paizel, Paushalov, Flux, Fungees, Antidots, Rain, Pokeleaf, and Bales.  I love it!  Pay particular attention to how well she shaded! 

I'm also working on my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project that I have to send in by Jan. 15th.  Here are two pages I've almost finished! 

Ornaments!

We enjoyed painting and tangling on paper mache ornaments last night.  You can really make a statement using the white pen on black (red too, but I forgot to take a picture!).  I also tried black on silver with some added rhinestones.  Just the bling needed for the holiday season!

Retreat Success!

Our first Zentangle Retreat was a huge success!  We spent the day learning several new patterns and working on pumpkin projects!  It was a chance to relax, enjoy great company, and learn some new things. In short is was really a TREAT instead of a retreat:).  Pictures below of all the amazing work by attendees.  I'm working on plans for another retreat in February - stay tuned!

The Exhibit is Up!!

Wow - it was a monumental task, but with a lot of help we were able to display all the wonderful zentangle art at the Ludington library.  This exhibit is sponsored by the Philadelphia Calligraphers' Society. 

In the first image you'll see the display cases on the right and the framed pieces hanging on the left.  There are seven display cases and I don't have images of all of them.  If you are in the Philadelphia area please stop by to see the exhibit open now through Nov. 30th. 

Thanks so much to Rose, Colette, and Bonnie for stopping by to help and to everyone who submitted work for the exhibit!!

Ludington Library           Hours Mon.-Thurs 9am-9pm; Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-5pm; Sun 12-5pm
5 South Bryn Mawr Ave
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010