I am the diva Challenge no. 103

It's been quite some time since I posted something here.
The past 18 months have been hard and emotional, moving to another house together with my daughter and finally the divorce.
I did try tangling but I wasn't satisfied with any of them. Totally forgetting that Zentangle isn't about creating something beautifull or perfect, but all about finding yourself and that "one stroke at a time" is like real life.

Challenge #103 of the Diva:
"And now on to the actual challenge. To raise awareness for this disorder, use the Moebius Syndrome Foundation's logo as your string, or create a moebius strip out of paper and tangle that... or some other awesome creative thing that i haven't thought of."

And this is my entry:

 

I must be honest.... I printed and then traced the MSF logo.

 



Aboriginal "Dutch" dot painting "Dutch Glory"

Another experiment with Aboriginal dot painting...in Dutch style, named "Dutch Glory".

I used some cheap paintbrushes, which I saw in two pieces for the 'dotting'.

This is so much fun....!!!!!!!!

Aboriginal dot painting

I doubted whether I'd publish this on my Zentangle blog or not...
Since the aboriginal dot paintings also have repetitive patterns like Zentangles I thought it was okay...

Just a while ago I saw the aboriginal dot painting "Dream Sisters" made by Colleen Wallace Nungari, while I was googling for some inspiration. 

I was captured by the "simple" beauty of this painting. And I'm always in for trying something new...that's why I wanted to give it a try.


This is the result:

I'm experimenting with acrylic paint at the moment and this was so much fun to do that I know for certain more paintings like this one will follow....

With thanks to Colleen Wallace Nungari!!!

I am the Diva - Challenge #32

The challenge on the I am the Diva blog is to use a 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 inch tile, if you still have any left...which I don't. So that's why I drew this one in my A5 notebook.

Use any string you like with these four tangles:
Pais (by Mikee Huber),
Zedbra (by Laura Harms and Margaret Bremner),
Keenees (by Donna Hornsby),
Baton (by Laura Harms).

This is my first Zentangle since last April...and it felt great, fabulous, liberating...etc. etc.

So here's my entry for challenge #32

Today (31st July) I  made another one with the same tangles.... just wanted to show you...

A total ZT's block... It feels like I've lost a very very dear friend

Something really strange happened to me after having attended an official Zentangle workshop last May. I experienced a total Zentangler's block!!!


I purchased the official Zentangle tiles and pencil and I managed to make some ZTs the following two days. And then...I got stuck...not a bit, but totally stuck!!!


My precious Zentangles which had accompanied me during a very hard and difficult period in my life didn't give (?) me the mental peace and calm anymore. 


And today it finally struck me.... I tried to tangle according the Official Zentangle way. Using official Zentangle tiles and draw without a pre-planned intention....


I confined myself too much to the meditative part of Zentangle and completely forgot the creative part I like so much. And that doesn't work for me at all.


I will show you my ZTs here and I think you'll notice the lack of enjoyment, inspiration.

It feels like I've lost a very very dear friend..

Sorry for not being around lately...

My very dear Zentangle Friends, sorry for not being around lately.
I've been busy with work, family, painting the house and some other projects.
Just a few weeks ago my dad fell with his bike and broke his hip.
So he got a new hip and was hospitalized for a week. Now he's rehabilitating at home.

Our house was in desperate need of some paint and as you all know probably, this takes more time than you estimate.

I also initiated a sort of campaign for the women's shelter in Dordrecht. Together with ten girls of my daughter's Child Care facility we painted 5 large canvases/canvasses (don't know the right word in plural for canvas..) to brighten up the rooms for the kids who are staying there.

Just wanted to let you know that I did not forget all of my dear Zentangle Friends, but there have been some other things in my life which had more priority.

Challenge #16 - Mooka

This week's challenge on I am the Diva blog of Laura Harms is to create a traditional Zentangle tile or ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) using the new official tangle: Mooka.

You can see directions on the official Zentangle blog or have a look at this You Tube video.

I think it's a great and gorgeous tangle.

Here's my (first) attempt for Mooka:

One thing's for sure I'm going to use this lovely tangle more often.