Saturday, July 29, 2017

Diva Challenge #326: A Preteen, A Metaphor, and Mindfulness

This week's guest blogger is Elisa Murphy.  The basic part of her challenge is to do a mono tangle of 'Nzeppel.  You can read the details of the challenge on I am the Diva.  She focused on some of the issues of fitting in but I think the focus was really on really trying to engage the mindfulness of the Zentangle® art form.  That was not really a problem when I was doing the tangle as it does use repetitive strokes. I think this helps with the mindfulness.  I find any tangle that uses only a few of the elemental strokes and you just keep repeating them to create. the pattern, and do not have to keep looking back at the step out for what comes next, helps me get into that zone.  Case in point, I was working on something and was using paradox while I was a vendor at an event.  Now I know for some your reaction might be, " How in the world can you be mindful when doing Paradox".  Well, a couple of times I was so engrossed I did not notice people standing at my table looking at items.  Don't think I lost any sales thankfully. Now back to the challenge.  I lost a little of the mindfulness when I decided to add color. That is always a challenge for me. I have looked at it a number of times and while not completely satisfied with it, it is growing on me.  Think part of it is that I would have usually added some embellishments to this but chose not to to stay with the monotangle limit.   Here is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy it.


Tangle used: 'Nzeppel
Color done with Prismacolor pencils. Used a yellow, a yellow orange and a red. Did a lot of layering and also smoothed with a blending pencil.  I was not thinking in that I also used a cool gray Prismacolor pencil for the spaces in 'Nzeppel.  When I used the blending pencil, it got a little murky but additional layering helped. 

I have not looked at any of the other things that have been submitted. If you have not either, would suggest you go to I am the Diva and look at some interesting pieces of art.  

Thanks for visiting. As always, comments are welcomed, encouraged, and appreciated.

Go Tangle !!


9 comments:

  1. I agree with you about 'Nzeppel being a relaxing tangle. It can also be versatile because of the possibility of using a random pattern---good for spaces I'm not sure what to do with. I'm impressed by your color blending and the 3 dimensionality you achieved. I feel like I could unwind your design.

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    1. Thanks. I was not sure how it was going to turn out. I was experimenting as I do not have an art background.

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  2. I like the spiral Nzeppel you cam up with. The yellow is beautiful, I do think you 'got it'!

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    1. Thanks Anne. There were times I was not sure but I just kept plugging away and it turned out well. I think sometimes, like the shading, I am concerned of doing too much when in reality I am not doing enough.

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  3. Great spiral 'nzeppel! those colors really give it some nice dimension. Well done!

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    1. Thanks. I was pleased with the way it turned out.

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  4. I find Paradox to be one of the easiest tangles to do, Donald, and so I find it to be one that really takes me away into the zen zone. Your 'Nzepple looks really nice especially with the orange tones. I do like the colored pencils. Great blending of colors.

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  5. Starting from a spiral is always nice and relaxing. Together with this beautiful sunny colours, you have made a wonderful tile!

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Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcomed and appreciated.