Howdy gang, sorry for the silence - I've been on my holidays. Barcelona and the foothills of the Pyrenees, dontcha know!! I took two books, and read a grand total of 8 pages - so what did I spend my time doing, apart from visiting aquariums, underground river trips, swimming in mountain rivers... ? Well, I discovered a new passion - tangling...
For those of you who haven't come across it: "Zentangles are a new trend in the drawing and paper arts world. The concept was started by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas as a way to practice focus and meditation through drawing, by using repetitive lines, marks, circles, and shapes. Each mark is called a "tangle," and you combine various tangles into patterns to create "tiles" or small square drawings."
I got totally hooked doing 2, then 3 then 4 a day. And my kids saw me doing them. And asked if they could try. And they got hooked too.
I've always wanted to be a doodler - I love patterns, and mandalas and henna and paisley. I loved them, I wanted to do them... but I didn't know how to start... I kept doing the same again and again. This book has been a wonderful step by step guide and teacher - I am really chuffed with what I have achieved in just two weeks. And have a new passion - and am excited about taking it in new directions in my own art....
And I find it so soothing and therapeutic to do. Like meditation - but I get great art to keep at the end. Win-win.
I'm aware that Zentangling is a bit passe for US readers, but it's totally new to me here in the time warp of Ireland. I'm thinking of getting a copy for the two doodling women in my life. So that's why I'm sharing it with y'all here. Are you a doodler? Do you Zentangle? Got any great resources to share? I've got a new Pinterest board on them - but of course!
For those of you who haven't come across it: "Zentangles are a new trend in the drawing and paper arts world. The concept was started by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas as a way to practice focus and meditation through drawing, by using repetitive lines, marks, circles, and shapes. Each mark is called a "tangle," and you combine various tangles into patterns to create "tiles" or small square drawings."
I got totally hooked doing 2, then 3 then 4 a day. And my kids saw me doing them. And asked if they could try. And they got hooked too.
I've always wanted to be a doodler - I love patterns, and mandalas and henna and paisley. I loved them, I wanted to do them... but I didn't know how to start... I kept doing the same again and again. This book has been a wonderful step by step guide and teacher - I am really chuffed with what I have achieved in just two weeks. And have a new passion - and am excited about taking it in new directions in my own art....
Very pretty! A bit like an elevated "take a line for a walk" ! Glad to see you arrived home from the heat to the heat: too hot to do anything but draw :-)
ReplyDeleteQuite, Emily. My children, however have other ideas!!!
DeleteWow, they are all gorgeous, Lucy.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw your drawings I immediately wish to make my owns. So inspiring!
So here are some pictures of my "reaction" to your post: http://passarim.blogspot.com.br/2013/07/zentangle.html
Thank you for introducing me to the Zentangles. :o)
WOW Ale, just been over to see yours - if that is your first Zentangle then mama you've found your soul art, it is simply beautiful, so, so accomplished!
DeleteOooh what a lovely place to go on your hols, I love Barcelona and the Pyrenees. So so special! I got a link to this in my inbox and thought it might interest you! http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/news/competition-design-a-childrens-activity-sheet. The strapline said 'are you a doodler? Do you love doodling? so naturally I thought of you! X
ReplyDeleteOh perfect, MF, thanks for that, will head over and check it out!
Deletejust packing for our holiday to Ireland and making sure I have a pen and a notebook to try out some of my own. if the kids give me chance.
ReplyDelete