Make your own blending stump!

Check out this link that shows how to make a blending stump!  

http://monologues.co.uk/Portraits/Tortillon.htm

Creation of a Zendala and using Irojiten colored pencils

I have been stretching myself and learning new techniques thanks to the on-line class Time to Tangle with Color by Marie Browning.  You can find out more by going to mycreativeclassroom.com.

Here is the progression - I started with toned tan paper and a mandala stencil by Genevieve Crabe found here.

 I added poke leaf, purk, and the start of fractal tree

 finished pen drawing

 I added white highlights using a white charcoal pencil then went over it with red and green colored pencils

Almost finished piece!

Love through a scientific lens: Our true capacity to connect

Very insightful conversation about the biological effects of positive connections on the NPR program Voices in the Family this week.  Take a listen here.

Definition Differences Between Doodling and Zentangle

Thanks to fellow CZT Meredity Yuhas for using dictionary definitions to show the difference between doodling and zentangle. 

Doodling VS Zentangle

Doodling (from dictionary definitions):
1. Mindless
2. Aimless
3. Unfocused
4. Used as a distraction
5. Done while doing something else
6. Getting lost in a daydream
7. Unstructured/chaotic
8. Foolish activity

Zentangle:
1. Mindful
2. Done with intent
3. Focused
4. Purposeful
5. Sole activity
6. Attention in the moment
7. Structured process
8. Helpful activity

My First Original Pattern! Kuke

How the pattern came to be:

My six year old daughter loves cucumbers and one night she dropped a slice on the floor.  I did not notice it until the next day.  When I looked down and saw the partially shriveled up cucumber slice I immediately saw a beautiful pattern.  I struggled to deconstruct the pattern until I thought to put it on top of my light box so I could be able to see through the slice (see image below).  X-raying the cucumber slice made all the difference and I developed Kuke.  Cuke is short for cucumber, but there are lots of C patterns already, so I thought it would be cute to spell it Kuke (it is also the first letter of my name - Katy's Kuke)!   Have fun!!

 

Here is the slice when I looked through the light box!

Zentangle at the Quadrangle

The Quadrangle is a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Haverford, PA that has independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.  I taught a Zentangle Basics class yesterday for 13 lovely residents.  We had a lovely time!  Here are some images of their work.

I wanted to show a close up of one of the tiles that was completed by one participant.  I had taught crescent moon, hollibaugh, florz, and printemps and this was her interpretation of those designs!  Delightful!

Example of tangled poem on a special occasion

One of my friends created this poem for her sister's 50th birthday and tangled around the edge.  With the season of celebrations (graduations, weddings, mother's and father's day) coming up, I thought this might give you some inspiration!  Thanks for sharing Jenn!

Color or black and white?

Here is another earth day postcard that I drew while we were driving back from Indiana last weekend.  I had a good time starting with Rain and then drawing Reticulated and then adding more Rain so there is the illusion of depth.  I also added Hatchpatch and Arc Flower.  Finally, I added some color with ranger distress inks.  What do you like more?  Black and White or Color?

Earth Day Postcard Swap #3

Here is a post card I made for an Earth Day Swap.  Patterns used include: Rain, Reticulated, arc flower, tagh, eye-wa, heart string, tortuca, and echo.  This was lots of fun and forced me to learn some new patterns!

Totally Cool Coasters!

One of my students, Lisa Donnelly, sent me this image of coasters she is making using glass tiles from Home Depot and her Zentangle Tiles. 

She said that she sprays the tile with a sealant, such as hairspray and then uses modpodge to adhere and seal the tile to the glass.  She then cut some felt and glued that to the back of the glass.  I think these are totally cool and would make great gifts!

Earth Day Postcard #2

Here is the second postcard I created for the CZT Earth Day Swap.  I used Echoism as a string and it worked out really well for giving me lots of spaces for patterns.  I could only use patterns that started with E, A, R, T, and H.  So that was a nice challenge and forced me to learn some new patterns like eke and angle fish!

Lettering Video

I found this short video by Joanne Fink very helpful when thinking about lettering and adding tangles!

Cool Tree Pattern

We were hiking today and I came across this cool pattern on a tree - I'm going to play around with the design to see if I can come up with a pattern!  I love the way the middle is darker so I'll try shading it different ways too.  I also picked up a few of the rocks around the tree to try tangling on!

Tangelation Challenge

I wanted to share some of the work I have been doing in my tangle a day calendar.  I have been forcing myself to come up with different variations of the same tangle and here are some examples.  This has been a great exercise for me and serves as a way for me to remember my tangles! 

Cubine with square, circle, and triangle variations

Phicops variations  (this is similar to Fengle - so you KNOW I like this one!)

Poke Root and Poke Leaf variations - with auras and perfs!

Facebook and Twitter account to follow

I've created a Facebook and twitter account to use to post upcoming classes and other cool things. Please like or follow me at AbbottArtistry.

click here to like my facebook page

and tweet me @AbbottArtistry

Philadelphia Flower Show Part 1

The Philadelphia Flower show has become one thing I look forward to attending every year.  I took pictures of plants when they reminded me of patterns - see if you can see the same patterns I did!

 Drupe?

 Cyme?

  Cyme?

Printemps?

poke leaf

Flower Show Zentangles Part 2

The Philadelphia Flower show has become one thing I look forward to attending every year.  I took pictures of plants when they reminded me of patterns - see if you can see the same patterns I did!

Phicops?

Nipa?

Zinger?

Mooka?

Fengle?

Hollibaugh?

Apropos fortune

Day 2 of One Zentangle a Day

I am working through the book One Zentangle a Day by Beckah Krahula and have posted my Day 2 work below.  This was my first attempt at Nekton.  It's funny how I have been a CZT for almost a year and there are still so many patterns I want to learn!  Enjoy!

Here is the string exercise.  I have to admit I don't usually use strings so this was a very good exercise for me to work on. I used two pencils together for a couple of them, which is a fun trick an great for border patterns.

I'll post Day 1 soon:)

Fun Scratch Art Valentines

I found these little cutie pies at the grocery store!!  I thought 'I wonder if I can tangle on them'....

well, let me tell you, this is so much fun I'm going to go back to get more!!  Hope you can find them!!  They are by Melissa & Doug.