Stripes, Zenstones and my upcoming color class

The Diva Challenge this week was "stripes". I'm happy with my second attempt. I used Strathmore's mixed media 140 lb paper and added my Zenstone with bezel then black gesso stripes. The background tangle is Ticking. On the black (with Dr Ph Martin's bleed proof white and my new Nikko G nib....thanks Kathleen for the tip) Ando, Telis, Pinch (variation) Emingle, 'Nzeppel, and Meer. That's Inktense pencil on the Zenstone.

On my first attempt, while I like all the individual components, together it was just too busy. Not enough white space and/or contrast. For this I used watercolor paper, Enyshou (my tamed variation), Maryhill and Shattuck. Polychromos pencils on the Zenstone.
I'm preparing for a color class. I'm combining the Zenstone technique with some basic color blending principles and techniques. Here I've been testing out different pencils and blending techniques for comparisons on Apprentice tiles.

More experimenting, this time with metallic pencils, but I ended up adding other "regular" colors over top.

Also trying different papers and pencils on ATCs, this on a rough watercolor with oil pencils. Shattuck, Zenith and Tipple.

And smooth Bristol for this Arukas pattern.

If you are in the Vancouver WA (USA, not BC, Washington state, not DC., next to Portland, Oregon, not Maine!) area, and are interested in the color class, watch for a new page here on my blog (I've taken down the "Take a class" page temporarily until I have the color info ready).
Thanks for stopping by... Have a good one!

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Globbular vs globular

My "visual journal" reflecting my laser treatment experience to repair a retinal tear. Yes, I saw these colors and more, and even more vivid! While awaiting my consultation with a retinal specialist, I realized their logo, much like an eye, easily could be rendered as globular which was The Divas challenge last week (263). Somehow that morphed quickly into a ZIA interpretation of my experience. Here is how far I got before the exam.

But my experience is globbular in that I seem to have a lava lamp stored away in my eye ;-). See that black blob? (cuz I do!) It's just floating around! I'm taking it easy, still drawing quite a lot, but the editing and typing of blog land is a bit tedious. Bear with me, I have some things to share with you from my vacation. I hope to be able to share them soon!

 

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A gift of my own personal mosaic.

If you've been following my blog, you know I participated in Annette's 2nd mosaic project. Here is my tile again created from her string.

She was kind enough as to send me this arrangement of my tile. Doesn't it look fabulous?

And an even larger grouping.

Thanks Annette!
If you somehow missed the completed project (24 participants and 30 tiles) check it out here! And you might as well look at past posts while you're there. There is much inspiration to be found!

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The taming of Enyshou

I really like this tangle Enyshou. This Rennaisance Zendala is actually a monotangle of Enyshou. The black background is probably more typical for the tangle. But the brown variation that you see here, I'm calling Enyshou tamed. At least as tame as Enyshou gets....its kind of wild! So I wrapped and braided it as best I could ;-)

Here is another version of it along with Fife in the center. Can you see Enyshou morphing into Zander too? One great tip...if you have a micron pen that has started skipping towards the end of its life, it's a great opportunity to try Enyshou with the lightest touch. I was exploring with just about every gray pen I own on this tile and quite a bit of graphite. I decided that as far as markers go, the gray Fabrico was my preference.

Did you have a chance to check out Annette's mosaic? If not, click here and then go to her mosaic project. Can you find my tile?
Thanks for visiting!

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Black Tiles and Not So RAZ

This week's black tiles started out with this older tile that I had done in preparation for my black tiles class. I had forgotten all about it. It occurred to me this tile would be an excellent RAZ candidate. RAZ stands for Random Act of Zentangle and typically they are left in public places for someone to find. My goal this year is to average at least one RAZ per month.

I had been working on these cards with a technique where you heat emboss over watercolor. I got the inspiration here. The envelopes I made by up cycling a calendar.  I was a little late getting them mailed, so I decided to walk Molly (our dog) to the post office to drop them off. A perfect place to drop off a RAZ too. However outside the post office a nice man struck up a conversation with me about Molly. It started there, but in ten minutes or so, it seemed we had discussed everything under the sun! He was so open about his life and beliefs that I decided to give him the tile. So I guess it was more of an AZ (forget the random part!). In return he gave me a gift too... As he then recited some beautiful poetry for me! What a nice exchange...and not your typical trip to the post office!

Continuing with the black tile theme, here is a Bijou sized monotangle of Enyshou. I posted it on the mosaic app previously. It's hard to keep track with what I've posted where. I need to figure out what gets posted where and why. Any suggestions? I'm thinking its a little redundant to post at both. Enyshou is a great little tangle that can really vary it's look. More on that next week.

Next is a Bijou and ATC of an Isochor-ish flower where I used a die cut for the string. It was really fun to play with the hilites in white. Can you see the variation in the one flower?

Be sure to check out Annette's blog at CreA(R)Tives. I participated in her 2nd mosaic project and am hoping to see my tile with all the others on her April 5th post.
Have a wonderful week!

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