Sandy Steen Bartholomew's Blog, page 29
July 22, 2013
I Still Believe!
Sometimes the anger and hatred that comes up on the internet in response to Zentangle® discussions just takes my breath away! I have to mentally back away and try to find some distance. It can feel very personal to those of us who are passionate about Zentangle and even more so to those of us who are connected by name. I think what makes me feel most... resentful... is that I have to feel like I must defend it at all. Seems like people could just make a choice - do they care or not. Not? Fine, move on.
A few days ago I saw a great article on Michael Hyatt's blog written by Jon Acuff, called 3 People You Need to Ignore Online. Jon talks about the Spectator, the Hater, and the Complainer.
I had heard the saying "Haters Gonna Hate" but I didn't really understand what that... meant. I had learned, the hard way, of course, not to respond to mean reviews on Amazon. And I am learning that there is a difference between someone asking a question because they actually want an answer, and someone asking a question because they just want to be mean!
In the blog post, Jon Acuff says:
"Haters only get loud when you do things that matter.
People who don’t stand up never get rocks thrown at them.
The average and ordinary don’t get bothered by haters."
The second two points make me want to be ordinary! But the first point - that makes me realize that - hey, maybe I'm actually doing something that matters - if I'm pissing someone off! ;-)
I've written about it before, but I am still trying to find the balance between when to speak up and when to keep my views to myself. There are so many things that I would love to write about here on this blog that I feel need to be said aloud, but I am still really afraid of the backlash. A few years ago, I wrote about my thoughts and experiences concerning suicide. I received a bunch of very grateful private emails that assured me I had done the right thing. But I also lost a really good friend who misinterpreted my intent. Instead of an explanation of my thoughts and decisions, a baring of my soul, he saw it as a criticism of his own situation! But if I could back in time and do it again, I would still write the post because it made a positive difference to someone. And if another person is already angry about their own life, and doesn't want what I am offering - my posting - or not posting - won't affect them.
I guess it's just the law of the universe or something...
(Also in the blog post) Jon Acuff describes his theory of the “Critic’s Math,” which is
“1 insult + 1,000 compliments = 1 insult.”
Why do we do this?!
Last week, I had a series of incredibly disturbing emails (from one person) who I realized too late, I should never have responded too... I felt like I was bleeding from my eyeballs.
And, last week, I had TONS of fabulous emails and gorgeous tangle entries for my contest. At one point, I saw one email message that called me, basically, a demon, and the one right below it, said I was an angel! I know what you are thinking - I shouldn't spend so much time on my email! ;-) At this point I created a filter to just delete the other person's messages for the future. If only life were so simple.
So, back to Zentangle. I see messages all the time now - on Facebook, blogs, Yahoo - where I think "Should I say something?" or "Should I defend this person?" Will it make any difference? Sometimes people actually enjoy arguing! Weird.
Just today someone posted a comment on a blog post I wrote almost FOUR years ago (!?). When I went to the post to reply, I actually re-read it and realized - I still feel this way. It seemed timely. This is what I believe:
Just make art. (Whatever you call it).
Share it. Feel good.
Make more art.
Repeat.
I'm going to reprint it here. The only thing that needs editing is the fact that, today, when I googled "Zentangle" there were 316,000 entries and a whole mess of books recommended for sale. :-) (I'm grateful that I am still on the first page of results!)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
If you do a Google search for "Zentangle", 137,000 hits appear. At this moment. Try it again in an hour and there will probably be more. Some of the sites that show up are images with real Zentangles, some have zentangle-ish images, and some are blogs where artists and crafters show their zentangle-ish art but swear they thought of it long before the evil Zentangle-people coined the term and started scamming people into buying a kit to learn how to doodle. It is very hard to resist commenting on these blogs, but I don't think my opinion would make a difference to these people and there is just no point in arguing with them, so I keep my mouth shut. But I can write my opinion here, since this is MY blog gosh-darn-it!!
The most important point is that Zentangle was not designed to be a new art form, but rather a method of using art that is basic and comfortable and familiar to all of us as a way of meditation. A way that anyone, even non-artists, can enter "the zone." To relax, and yet, focus, at the same time. A TRUE Zentangle has steps that set up a ritual, just like other forms of meditation. You can't just enter that state of calm by closing your eyes and saying look at me, I'm meditating." You light a candle, put on quiet music, sit cross-legged, hum, whatever. So too with Zentangle. The creators do not claim to have invented the equipment, the patterns or the concept of meditation by drawing. What they did create were the steps, how to go about this particular process. Its like yoga. It's been around for ages and in so many different forms. Does it matter where the poses originated, or who your teacher studied with? All that ultimately matters is how the poses and the practice make you feel. And how do you learn yoga? From a book? A teacher? A kit you bought at Borders? Make it up on your own?
As you cruise the internet looking for Zentangle art and ideas, you start to see the difference between "doodles", Zentangle-ish art and Zentangle art by people who have had some training. Doodles are easily recognized as what they are because they are random and done in a thought-less way. Usually done while doing or thinking about something else. Unrelated. Talking on the telephone or daydreaming in a class or meeting. Zentangles are unplanned, but deliberate. The patterns are built "one stroke at a time" and they build on each other. The tangler doesn't "tune out", but rather "tunes IN". You become incredibly focused on what is evolving beneath your pen. You forget your worries for the moment. It is also very easy to see the difference between Zentangle art and Zentangle-like art. One dead giveaway is the dark lines outlining the "strings". Strings are guidelines that fade into the design when used properly. The characteristics that make a piece look like Zentangle: black and white, dense patterns within shapes, some shading - are what make some artists shake their heads and say "that's nothing new." But, again, these characteristics are not what make a real Zentangle, they are just the "look" - the end result. Zentangle is not a technique like watercolor or oil painting. It's more like... sand mandalas. It is horrifying for us to watch the monks (or anyone!) destroy those elaborate, gorgeous, detailed mandalas that they have slaved over for days - laying out each grain of sand, section by section. But, for the monks, it is all about the process, not the finished piece.
That said, Zentangles do make beautiful art, but I find that they lose their meditative calming powers when I actually am forced to care how the final piece will look. So I think of these artsy pieces more as illustrations with Zentangle-like qualities. Although, quite often when I create (not including free-lance jobs, ugh) I feel a great joy, sense of contentment and ... peace. I don't know where the image is going and I don't care. I am loving the colors flowing together, the happy accidents, the image that emerges from the paint. Life is good. THIS is what the Zentangle-originators are trying to pass on to you, to me, to anyone who cares to know that amazing feeling. What you do with these skills is up to you.
Resenting Zentangle, or its creators, is like resenting an inkjet printer, or Epson. These are tools to help make your creativity a reality. Use them and be happy!
A few days ago I saw a great article on Michael Hyatt's blog written by Jon Acuff, called 3 People You Need to Ignore Online. Jon talks about the Spectator, the Hater, and the Complainer.
I had heard the saying "Haters Gonna Hate" but I didn't really understand what that... meant. I had learned, the hard way, of course, not to respond to mean reviews on Amazon. And I am learning that there is a difference between someone asking a question because they actually want an answer, and someone asking a question because they just want to be mean!
In the blog post, Jon Acuff says:
"Haters only get loud when you do things that matter.
People who don’t stand up never get rocks thrown at them.
The average and ordinary don’t get bothered by haters."
The second two points make me want to be ordinary! But the first point - that makes me realize that - hey, maybe I'm actually doing something that matters - if I'm pissing someone off! ;-)
I've written about it before, but I am still trying to find the balance between when to speak up and when to keep my views to myself. There are so many things that I would love to write about here on this blog that I feel need to be said aloud, but I am still really afraid of the backlash. A few years ago, I wrote about my thoughts and experiences concerning suicide. I received a bunch of very grateful private emails that assured me I had done the right thing. But I also lost a really good friend who misinterpreted my intent. Instead of an explanation of my thoughts and decisions, a baring of my soul, he saw it as a criticism of his own situation! But if I could back in time and do it again, I would still write the post because it made a positive difference to someone. And if another person is already angry about their own life, and doesn't want what I am offering - my posting - or not posting - won't affect them.
I guess it's just the law of the universe or something...
(Also in the blog post) Jon Acuff describes his theory of the “Critic’s Math,” which is
“1 insult + 1,000 compliments = 1 insult.”
Why do we do this?!
Last week, I had a series of incredibly disturbing emails (from one person) who I realized too late, I should never have responded too... I felt like I was bleeding from my eyeballs.
And, last week, I had TONS of fabulous emails and gorgeous tangle entries for my contest. At one point, I saw one email message that called me, basically, a demon, and the one right below it, said I was an angel! I know what you are thinking - I shouldn't spend so much time on my email! ;-) At this point I created a filter to just delete the other person's messages for the future. If only life were so simple.
So, back to Zentangle. I see messages all the time now - on Facebook, blogs, Yahoo - where I think "Should I say something?" or "Should I defend this person?" Will it make any difference? Sometimes people actually enjoy arguing! Weird.
Just today someone posted a comment on a blog post I wrote almost FOUR years ago (!?). When I went to the post to reply, I actually re-read it and realized - I still feel this way. It seemed timely. This is what I believe:
Just make art. (Whatever you call it).
Share it. Feel good.
Make more art.
Repeat.
I'm going to reprint it here. The only thing that needs editing is the fact that, today, when I googled "Zentangle" there were 316,000 entries and a whole mess of books recommended for sale. :-) (I'm grateful that I am still on the first page of results!)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
If you do a Google search for "Zentangle", 137,000 hits appear. At this moment. Try it again in an hour and there will probably be more. Some of the sites that show up are images with real Zentangles, some have zentangle-ish images, and some are blogs where artists and crafters show their zentangle-ish art but swear they thought of it long before the evil Zentangle-people coined the term and started scamming people into buying a kit to learn how to doodle. It is very hard to resist commenting on these blogs, but I don't think my opinion would make a difference to these people and there is just no point in arguing with them, so I keep my mouth shut. But I can write my opinion here, since this is MY blog gosh-darn-it!!
The most important point is that Zentangle was not designed to be a new art form, but rather a method of using art that is basic and comfortable and familiar to all of us as a way of meditation. A way that anyone, even non-artists, can enter "the zone." To relax, and yet, focus, at the same time. A TRUE Zentangle has steps that set up a ritual, just like other forms of meditation. You can't just enter that state of calm by closing your eyes and saying look at me, I'm meditating." You light a candle, put on quiet music, sit cross-legged, hum, whatever. So too with Zentangle. The creators do not claim to have invented the equipment, the patterns or the concept of meditation by drawing. What they did create were the steps, how to go about this particular process. Its like yoga. It's been around for ages and in so many different forms. Does it matter where the poses originated, or who your teacher studied with? All that ultimately matters is how the poses and the practice make you feel. And how do you learn yoga? From a book? A teacher? A kit you bought at Borders? Make it up on your own?
As you cruise the internet looking for Zentangle art and ideas, you start to see the difference between "doodles", Zentangle-ish art and Zentangle art by people who have had some training. Doodles are easily recognized as what they are because they are random and done in a thought-less way. Usually done while doing or thinking about something else. Unrelated. Talking on the telephone or daydreaming in a class or meeting. Zentangles are unplanned, but deliberate. The patterns are built "one stroke at a time" and they build on each other. The tangler doesn't "tune out", but rather "tunes IN". You become incredibly focused on what is evolving beneath your pen. You forget your worries for the moment. It is also very easy to see the difference between Zentangle art and Zentangle-like art. One dead giveaway is the dark lines outlining the "strings". Strings are guidelines that fade into the design when used properly. The characteristics that make a piece look like Zentangle: black and white, dense patterns within shapes, some shading - are what make some artists shake their heads and say "that's nothing new." But, again, these characteristics are not what make a real Zentangle, they are just the "look" - the end result. Zentangle is not a technique like watercolor or oil painting. It's more like... sand mandalas. It is horrifying for us to watch the monks (or anyone!) destroy those elaborate, gorgeous, detailed mandalas that they have slaved over for days - laying out each grain of sand, section by section. But, for the monks, it is all about the process, not the finished piece.
That said, Zentangles do make beautiful art, but I find that they lose their meditative calming powers when I actually am forced to care how the final piece will look. So I think of these artsy pieces more as illustrations with Zentangle-like qualities. Although, quite often when I create (not including free-lance jobs, ugh) I feel a great joy, sense of contentment and ... peace. I don't know where the image is going and I don't care. I am loving the colors flowing together, the happy accidents, the image that emerges from the paint. Life is good. THIS is what the Zentangle-originators are trying to pass on to you, to me, to anyone who cares to know that amazing feeling. What you do with these skills is up to you.
Resenting Zentangle, or its creators, is like resenting an inkjet printer, or Epson. These are tools to help make your creativity a reality. Use them and be happy!
July 19, 2013
Tangle Card Challenge #2 - Annee
And on to Round 2...
Up next is one of my most favoritest tangles - Annee.
Annee was inspired by fancy, carved wood trim in a Newport (RI) mansion. The name came from the fact that I was starving while I drew it and it reminded me of a pretzel from the famous shopping mall destination of a similar name. One trick that I have learned - after drawing a gazillion of these - (and outside on a mural too) - is to draw the first steps... the circles and the curves on the left side... then FLIP your drawing 180 degrees and just repeat the curves down the side again. It is very easy.
You can create a piece that uses Annee the way I have designed it, or create your own tangleation, or variation. Post your art on the Beez Ink Studio Facebook Page.
The winner will be chosen next Thursday, July 25th, sometime after lunch. ;-)
And anyone can enter - any age or skill level. And please tell your friends.
Let's see what you've got!
To see all the contest details, read this post.
Entries from Round 1 can be seen here.
Annee is from the Yoga for Your Brain card pack. The Tangle card packs can be pre-ordered
And also be sure to take a look at the contest starting up on the Zentangle for Kidz blog too.
July 18, 2013
Results of Tangle Contest #1 - Y.A.F.
There were so many incredible entries! I'll post them all here so you can see what incredible work everyone did. You can see more details and some explanations of the pieces on the Beez Ink Studio Facebook page. Now before you go scrolling through to see if you won, I just have to say that this was a LOT harder than I had thought it would be. I tried making up criteria, just picking my favorite (yeh - that didn't work - I liked something about each one...), stepping back and seeing which one looked best as a thumbnail, every variation possible. In the end, I got Alex to help me (he's a CZT now - whoo-hoo!) and we narrowed it down to two criteria... which one used the most YAFs and which one had a charming reward for looking carefully. :-) Ok, now you can look.
Arnoldo Romero
Becki Miller
Brandi Cooper Heidi King
Brooke Gustavel
Cathy Raboin Staeven
Debra Robinson Michael
Dennie York
Debra Castaldi
Eduardo Martinez
Emily Classon
Faith Kaminsky Cohen
Ginny Stiles
Graham Carroll
Janneke de Lange
Jay Worling (1)
Jay Worling (2)
Jean Chaney
Lena Ulses
Lila Popcheff
Lois Stokes
Lynne Norikane Newberry
Lynne Norikane Newberry (shrink plastic charm)
Mary Leavelle
Maya Hardcastle
Rita Nikolajeva
Traci Frogley
And the winner for THIS round is.... drum rollllllll.....
Diane YaciukDiane Yaciuk!!!!
YEAH!!
(Diane, be sure to email me where you want your brand-spankin' new Tangle Cards to be sent!)
Tomorrow I will post the next Tangle Card. I hope everyone will do another piece and pass the word around too. Diane, you are welcome to enter again - you just can't win twice. ;-)
Oh last note - I know this was in the entry rules, but I wanted to say again that I am hoping to use many of these entries in a book I am working on and entry in the contest means you give me permission. However, I will still need your written permission and any contact info you might want included. This means that if you DO NOT want to be included, that's fine too. I can't force fame and fortune on you. Well... fame, anyway. ;-)
Just let me know.
Nice work everyone!!
Arnoldo Romero
Becki Miller
Brandi Cooper Heidi King
Brooke Gustavel
Cathy Raboin Staeven
Debra Robinson Michael
Dennie York
Debra Castaldi
Eduardo Martinez
Emily Classon
Faith Kaminsky Cohen
Ginny Stiles
Graham Carroll
Janneke de Lange
Jay Worling (1)
Jay Worling (2)
Jean Chaney
Lena Ulses
Lila Popcheff
Lois Stokes
Lynne Norikane Newberry
Lynne Norikane Newberry (shrink plastic charm)
Mary Leavelle
Maya Hardcastle
Rita Nikolajeva
Traci FrogleyAnd the winner for THIS round is.... drum rollllllll.....
Diane YaciukDiane Yaciuk!!!!YEAH!!
(Diane, be sure to email me where you want your brand-spankin' new Tangle Cards to be sent!)
Tomorrow I will post the next Tangle Card. I hope everyone will do another piece and pass the word around too. Diane, you are welcome to enter again - you just can't win twice. ;-)
Oh last note - I know this was in the entry rules, but I wanted to say again that I am hoping to use many of these entries in a book I am working on and entry in the contest means you give me permission. However, I will still need your written permission and any contact info you might want included. This means that if you DO NOT want to be included, that's fine too. I can't force fame and fortune on you. Well... fame, anyway. ;-)
Just let me know.
Nice work everyone!!
Zentangle® on the News!
Cindy Fahs, the resident CZT at Fox Chapel Publishing (my publisher) was featured on the Pennsylvania TV news station, WGAL. She has been teaching her fellow employees as well as members of the community. It's a really nice video (and it's a thrill to see my books in the background!)
Take a look here: WGAL Zentangle Story
July 14, 2013
Time to Runaway Again! Come with me?
I got a message from the Universe that I needed to go to camp this summer. I've had the camp on my calendar for months, but JUST signed up yesterday.
I'm going to Art {retreat} Camp on Mayhew Island (New Hampshire):
Why?
Here's a picture I snitched from their website:
If that's not enough incentive, here's a list of the teachers:
Rachel Blumberg, Mati McDonough, Lisa Solomon, Mimi Kirchner, Jess Greene, Monica Pasqual, Rebecca Emberley and director Susan Schwake
AND I will finally get to learn some embroidery AND encaustics!!! These are on my bucket list along with mosaics and cement casting. Seriously. The camp is only a small group of people. It's on an island. Someone else will make food for me. And ALL the materials are supplied. Oooooo....
So I have blocked off the time in my calendar, switched kid days with my ex, and paid for my spot... all I'm missing is an art friend to join me! (I've always hated going to camp on my own) If you decide this sounds like the best camp for big people - ever - then go sign up! There are just a few spots left. Oh! And when you sign up - tell Susan I sent you and you will get a free massage at the retreat! (No, not by me). :-)
I'm going to Art {retreat} Camp on Mayhew Island (New Hampshire):
Why?
Here's a picture I snitched from their website:
If that's not enough incentive, here's a list of the teachers:
Rachel Blumberg, Mati McDonough, Lisa Solomon, Mimi Kirchner, Jess Greene, Monica Pasqual, Rebecca Emberley and director Susan Schwake
AND I will finally get to learn some embroidery AND encaustics!!! These are on my bucket list along with mosaics and cement casting. Seriously. The camp is only a small group of people. It's on an island. Someone else will make food for me. And ALL the materials are supplied. Oooooo....
So I have blocked off the time in my calendar, switched kid days with my ex, and paid for my spot... all I'm missing is an art friend to join me! (I've always hated going to camp on my own) If you decide this sounds like the best camp for big people - ever - then go sign up! There are just a few spots left. Oh! And when you sign up - tell Susan I sent you and you will get a free massage at the retreat! (No, not by me). :-)
July 12, 2013
Tangle Card Challenge #1 - Y.A.F.
Ready to play?To see all the contest details, read this post.
Our first contestant is the tangle Y.A.F. "Y.A.F." stands for "Yet Another Flower" because there are SO many flower-based tangles in Zentangle® world. True?
This one was inspired by henna designs from India and is actually really fun to draw. You can create a piece that uses YAF the way I have designed it, or create your own tangleation, or variation. Post your art on the Beez Ink Studio Facebook Page.
The winner will be chosen next week and announced here next Friday, July 19th.
And anyone can enter - any age or skill level.
Let's see what you've got!
[YAF is from the Yoga for Your Brain card pack. The Tangle card packs can be pre-ordered .]
July 10, 2013
Ooo-yah! A Contest!
Did you read the previous post? The one about the NEW Tangle cards? Did you read all the way to the end? Great! So you want to get your hands on a pack of these cards...
The cards will be in shops in September, but the publisher, Fox Chapel/Design Originals, had some advance copies made to show at Book Expo in NYC. They very kindly sent me a set so I wouldn't gnaw off my own hand in anticipation.
Filled with gratitude... and greed... I did the only reasonable thing - I asked for another set. (Actually, I think I begged.) And as every 5-year-old knows - begging gets results. :-) They sent me THREE sets! THREE! That's 9 packs of cards! Mine mine mine... ooh, right - the OTHER 5-year-old lesson: "Thou must share."
(I'm kidding - I always intended to share them.)
Let's have a CONTEST!
It's been a while since the Lilah Bean contest - so I'm making this up as I go...
• Each Friday, until I run out of packs, I will post one
of the tangle cards here on the blog.
• You, if you choose to accept your mission, can either
- use the tangle to create a Zentangle, a dangle,
a doodle, or other inspired art (it's all good)
or
- create a Tangleation using my tangle as
inspiration.
I cannot pronounce that word, but a tangleation is
a new variation or crossbreed based on an existing
tangle. This must include the steps to draw the new
tangle.
• Any entries should be posted on my
Beez Ink Studio Facebook page.
(https://www.facebook.com/BeezInk)
• People can vote by clicking "Like" under each entry.
But I get the final say as to the winner because...
it's my contest. The winner will be announced the
following Friday when I post the next Tangle Card.
• I will send one pack of Tangle cards to the winner.
• Legally stuff: No purchase necessary. No monetary
value to the prize (unless you resell it on ebay!)
Your artwork remains your property, however, by
entering the contest you give me the right to use
your art (or tangle) on my blog and in a future book-
with your credits attached, of course.
• If you win a pack of Tangle Cards, you are expected
to gloat, ahem, speak nicely - about them all over the
internet and to all your friends. Actually, I can't make
you do that, but I'd appreciate it if you at least told
your mom.
Did I forget anything? Add it to the comments below, OK?
The publisher said these cards are worth their weight in gold... In case you doubt that I actually HAVE these tangle bullions in my possession, here is some photographic proof:
See? Stacks and stacks and...
HEY! Hold it RIGHT THERE, ladies?
Where do you think you are going with those cards?
Ah, I SEE... well, the Lilah Beans DO have a point. They want to take one of the Kidz! packs over to the Zentangle for Kidz! site and have their OWN contest. OK. That's fine. We'll have to wait to see what they come up with... But that still leaves US with 8 packs to play with.
Tune in this Friday to see the first of the Tangle Card Challenges.
The cards will be in shops in September, but the publisher, Fox Chapel/Design Originals, had some advance copies made to show at Book Expo in NYC. They very kindly sent me a set so I wouldn't gnaw off my own hand in anticipation.
Filled with gratitude... and greed... I did the only reasonable thing - I asked for another set. (Actually, I think I begged.) And as every 5-year-old knows - begging gets results. :-) They sent me THREE sets! THREE! That's 9 packs of cards! Mine mine mine... ooh, right - the OTHER 5-year-old lesson: "Thou must share."
(I'm kidding - I always intended to share them.)
Let's have a CONTEST!
It's been a while since the Lilah Bean contest - so I'm making this up as I go...
• Each Friday, until I run out of packs, I will post one
of the tangle cards here on the blog.
• You, if you choose to accept your mission, can either
- use the tangle to create a Zentangle, a dangle,
a doodle, or other inspired art (it's all good)
or
- create a Tangleation using my tangle as
inspiration.
I cannot pronounce that word, but a tangleation is
a new variation or crossbreed based on an existing
tangle. This must include the steps to draw the new
tangle.
• Any entries should be posted on my
Beez Ink Studio Facebook page.
(https://www.facebook.com/BeezInk)
• People can vote by clicking "Like" under each entry.
But I get the final say as to the winner because...
it's my contest. The winner will be announced the
following Friday when I post the next Tangle Card.
• I will send one pack of Tangle cards to the winner.
• Legally stuff: No purchase necessary. No monetary
value to the prize (unless you resell it on ebay!)
Your artwork remains your property, however, by
entering the contest you give me the right to use
your art (or tangle) on my blog and in a future book-
with your credits attached, of course.
• If you win a pack of Tangle Cards, you are expected
to gloat, ahem, speak nicely - about them all over the
internet and to all your friends. Actually, I can't make
you do that, but I'd appreciate it if you at least told
your mom.
Did I forget anything? Add it to the comments below, OK?
The publisher said these cards are worth their weight in gold... In case you doubt that I actually HAVE these tangle bullions in my possession, here is some photographic proof:
See? Stacks and stacks and...
HEY! Hold it RIGHT THERE, ladies?
Where do you think you are going with those cards?
.JPG)
Ah, I SEE... well, the Lilah Beans DO have a point. They want to take one of the Kidz! packs over to the Zentangle for Kidz! site and have their OWN contest. OK. That's fine. We'll have to wait to see what they come up with... But that still leaves US with 8 packs to play with.
Tune in this Friday to see the first of the Tangle Card Challenges.
Toot-Toot! The Tangle Cards are Coming! The Tangle Cards are Coming!
Let's travel back in time... to April 17, 2009...
(I had been certified as a Zentangle Teacher, just one month earlier! Wow- time flies!) In April of 2009, I posted my first "Tangle of the Week":
Notice the lovely Tangle Trading Card shown? You all know that I am just a tad OCD, (just a tad)... So I had designed these cards as a way for me to catalog and organize all the 100 existing Zentangle® patterns, plus the ones that I was creating on my own. I still sell the small packs on my Etsy store and you can get bulk packs (100 cards) in my Zazzle store. It's funny that I still use this Tangle of the Week card as my sample card in the shop. :-)
Fast forward to last summer, 2012, and my publisher has asked me to create card decks with the tangle steps drawn in. I spent the entire summer drawing... 120 tangle cards, plus instruction cards, PLUS three tangle puzzles!
Here is one of the pages from my sketchbook showing the art for the fronts and backs of three tangle cards - Puff-O, Punkin, and Revel.
And this page is the art for one of the puzzles in the card packs:
I designed one card pack for each of the books - companion cards. There is a Totally Tangled pack, a Yoga for Your Brain pack and a Zentangle for Kidz! pack. Also a smaller bag of DIY, blank cards so you can record your own tangles.
A year later - the Tangle Cards are coming! The Tangle cards are coming!!
The cards will be available in September!!! September 2013!
It's like being pregnant for over a year but then finally meeting your children and discovering they are everything you ever dreamed of. Can you tell I am really proud? ;-D I've never been great at tooting my own horn, but I find it pretty easy to toot these cards. Fox Chapel (my publisher) sent me some packs and I couldn't stop fondling them. Here are the really cool features:
The card decks come in sturdy, color-coded boxes. The edges of the cards match the box, so it is easy to sort and clean up - if you feel inclined to keep them together. Each card is numbered as well. (See? OCD dream come true, right?) There are little boxes in the corner where you can put codes like "ZT" for original Zentangle tangles or "JP" for Japanese inspired, and an index card to record your categories.
Each pack has 40 cards with a tangle on each. There are 10 cards with info, instructions, ideas and an index. The backs of 9 of those cards have a piece of a puzzle. There is a different puzzle (and different info cards, too) in each pack.
Here is one of the professional shots from the publisher:
Perhaps you are thinking, "How hard could a 9 piece puzzle be?" Well, here is a little video of a few certified Zentangle teachers trying to assemble one in my studio:
You're up for the challenge? You are wondering how you can get your hands on these?
They are expected to hit stores (with a thunk) in early September and are available on Amazon for pre-order (Yoga for Your Brain Tangle Cards
, and Totally Tangled Tangle Cards
). I also have them for pre-order on my own webstore (http://bumblebat.wazala.com).
If you have no intention of buying the cards but want to get some more "free" tangles, then go to Amazon because they have a peek-inside feature. If you are totally addicted to Zentangle and think that being able to pull out certain tangle cards to work on and sorting patterns makes you smile - then I made these cards for YOU - and you should buy them directly from ME. I wholeheartedly believe in bribery. And collectibles. So these packs (directly from me) will each have a special little prize in each box. Only from me. Mine. Just mine! ;-D
NEED to get your hands on a pack sooner? Read the next blog post!
(I had been certified as a Zentangle Teacher, just one month earlier! Wow- time flies!) In April of 2009, I posted my first "Tangle of the Week":
Notice the lovely Tangle Trading Card shown? You all know that I am just a tad OCD, (just a tad)... So I had designed these cards as a way for me to catalog and organize all the 100 existing Zentangle® patterns, plus the ones that I was creating on my own. I still sell the small packs on my Etsy store and you can get bulk packs (100 cards) in my Zazzle store. It's funny that I still use this Tangle of the Week card as my sample card in the shop. :-)
Fast forward to last summer, 2012, and my publisher has asked me to create card decks with the tangle steps drawn in. I spent the entire summer drawing... 120 tangle cards, plus instruction cards, PLUS three tangle puzzles!
Here is one of the pages from my sketchbook showing the art for the fronts and backs of three tangle cards - Puff-O, Punkin, and Revel.
And this page is the art for one of the puzzles in the card packs:
I designed one card pack for each of the books - companion cards. There is a Totally Tangled pack, a Yoga for Your Brain pack and a Zentangle for Kidz! pack. Also a smaller bag of DIY, blank cards so you can record your own tangles.
A year later - the Tangle Cards are coming! The Tangle cards are coming!!
The cards will be available in September!!! September 2013!
It's like being pregnant for over a year but then finally meeting your children and discovering they are everything you ever dreamed of. Can you tell I am really proud? ;-D I've never been great at tooting my own horn, but I find it pretty easy to toot these cards. Fox Chapel (my publisher) sent me some packs and I couldn't stop fondling them. Here are the really cool features:
The card decks come in sturdy, color-coded boxes. The edges of the cards match the box, so it is easy to sort and clean up - if you feel inclined to keep them together. Each card is numbered as well. (See? OCD dream come true, right?) There are little boxes in the corner where you can put codes like "ZT" for original Zentangle tangles or "JP" for Japanese inspired, and an index card to record your categories.
Each pack has 40 cards with a tangle on each. There are 10 cards with info, instructions, ideas and an index. The backs of 9 of those cards have a piece of a puzzle. There is a different puzzle (and different info cards, too) in each pack.
Here is one of the professional shots from the publisher:
Perhaps you are thinking, "How hard could a 9 piece puzzle be?" Well, here is a little video of a few certified Zentangle teachers trying to assemble one in my studio:
You're up for the challenge? You are wondering how you can get your hands on these?
They are expected to hit stores (with a thunk) in early September and are available on Amazon for pre-order (Yoga for Your Brain Tangle Cards
, and Totally Tangled Tangle Cards). I also have them for pre-order on my own webstore (http://bumblebat.wazala.com).If you have no intention of buying the cards but want to get some more "free" tangles, then go to Amazon because they have a peek-inside feature. If you are totally addicted to Zentangle and think that being able to pull out certain tangle cards to work on and sorting patterns makes you smile - then I made these cards for YOU - and you should buy them directly from ME. I wholeheartedly believe in bribery. And collectibles. So these packs (directly from me) will each have a special little prize in each box. Only from me. Mine. Just mine! ;-D
NEED to get your hands on a pack sooner? Read the next blog post!
June 25, 2013
CZT 11!
It's been a bit of a whirlwind getting to this point! Trying to get my homework for the Lilla Rogers class done, the same day that I had Open Studio at The BeeHive, my sister and her whole family arrived, somewhat unexpected, to stay at my house, and doing laundry and packing... have I ever told you that I am NOT a multi-tasker?
Anyway...Alex and I somehow managed to do everything we needed to do and were only one hour late in leaving the house to head down to Providence, RI for the 11th Zentangle Teacher Certification Seminar. I decided to get Alex certified while I still had some influence over his summer activities and I think my hunch may have been a good one. Despite having a really bad head cold, he has been tangling up a storm and I am really excited to see what he does with this.
We are staying at The Biltmore Hotel which is covered with tangles and rumored to be haunted. Cool. The room left us speechless. There was a giant chair in the living room and huge, poofy, royal looking beds. Alex had been expecting to sleep on the fold out sofa, so he was beyond thrilled to get a bed that is "as wide as I am tall". Seriously, Alex is tall!
I always feel really strange when I am in Providence since it doesn't look much as it did when I went to school here. There was no river, and the downtown area was so dangerous, it was off limits. Now there are little art boutiques, restaurants, hotels, a beautiful park and skateboard park, and then there are the gondolas and river walks and a ginormous mall with an iMax theater built over the river. Oh yes, there's a river. We used to joke that Providence was the world's widest bridge. All this construction was being done while I was in school. We had a space of about three feet outside the Illustration building at RISD between us and the four lane highway. Now, there is an enormous brick... I don't even know the word?.... giant patio-thingy that goes for miles, and overlooks the canal and bridges. Jealous, me? Why would you say that? ;-) It's really pretty.
It was also 92 degrees and muggy... so Alex and I did a lot of walking the first day, then fled to the air-conditioned room.
It was actually a giant, pink, Super Moon.
So, here are some highlights of the seminar, so far...
A mosaic in the Providence Hotel hallway of tangled bar coasters!
A close-up of the mosaic... I was excited to see someone had used my "Pingline" penguin tangle! Cool!
Part of one of Maria's display pieces with a funny limerick.
Me and Amy Broady in the tangled photo booth.
She'll kill me for showing you this photo, but I think it is SO funny! But, no, it's not beer, it's actually TEA! I love this photo because it shows Amy's cheerful, glowing disposition. So you see why I asked her to take on the Zentangle for Kidz website?
I think we really are this blurry in real life too... Me, Bette Abdu, Amy Broady, Katy AbbottToday, Tuesday, we CZTs who were not technically IN seminar, but were lurking around because we had family members in training - gathered together in the lobby to gossip and laugh and pretend to shoot a video about my new Tangle Cards. I think I have learned more out in the lobby than inside the seminar (LOL) - there are so many fascinating people here. And from all over the world!! I was so excited to meet ladies from Ecaudor, Latvia/Belgium, Sweden, South Africa and Alabama... and there are actually quite a few men here too. One is named "Dude". Yes. Dude. And my son and Caroline Broady are the youngest CZTs yet. Alex is 15 and Caroline is 14. Woo-hoo! A record! They will both be amazing CZTs. I was so proud of Alex - despite being groggy from cold medicine - he has been doing his best to be friendly and open-minded and he's been talking with people. I knew this was all worth it when, at dinner last night, he was asked what he might do with Zentangle, and he replied - "I think I'd like to teach it to my school. The entire school." And then went on to wonder how he could get enough supplies to give to all the students. Caroline is also pondering how to create a club at her school. Very cool kids!
The newest batch of CZTs! The group is so big they had to shoot the photo from the second floor.I hope this post doesn't sound like an ad for CZT training - it's actually quite difficult to get in (there's always a waiting list). But I think going to seminar, even if only to visit for a few hours, helps me reconnect to why I feel so passionate about what I do, and reminds me that there are an awful lot of people out there (like you all!) who are really wonderful, interesting folks. Without that reminder, I'd just crawl back into my batcave and draw on the walls. ;-D
Anyway...Alex and I somehow managed to do everything we needed to do and were only one hour late in leaving the house to head down to Providence, RI for the 11th Zentangle Teacher Certification Seminar. I decided to get Alex certified while I still had some influence over his summer activities and I think my hunch may have been a good one. Despite having a really bad head cold, he has been tangling up a storm and I am really excited to see what he does with this.
We are staying at The Biltmore Hotel which is covered with tangles and rumored to be haunted. Cool. The room left us speechless. There was a giant chair in the living room and huge, poofy, royal looking beds. Alex had been expecting to sleep on the fold out sofa, so he was beyond thrilled to get a bed that is "as wide as I am tall". Seriously, Alex is tall!
I always feel really strange when I am in Providence since it doesn't look much as it did when I went to school here. There was no river, and the downtown area was so dangerous, it was off limits. Now there are little art boutiques, restaurants, hotels, a beautiful park and skateboard park, and then there are the gondolas and river walks and a ginormous mall with an iMax theater built over the river. Oh yes, there's a river. We used to joke that Providence was the world's widest bridge. All this construction was being done while I was in school. We had a space of about three feet outside the Illustration building at RISD between us and the four lane highway. Now, there is an enormous brick... I don't even know the word?.... giant patio-thingy that goes for miles, and overlooks the canal and bridges. Jealous, me? Why would you say that? ;-) It's really pretty.
It was also 92 degrees and muggy... so Alex and I did a lot of walking the first day, then fled to the air-conditioned room.
It was actually a giant, pink, Super Moon.
So, here are some highlights of the seminar, so far...
A mosaic in the Providence Hotel hallway of tangled bar coasters!A close-up of the mosaic... I was excited to see someone had used my "Pingline" penguin tangle! Cool!Part of one of Maria's display pieces with a funny limerick.Me and Amy Broady in the tangled photo booth.She'll kill me for showing you this photo, but I think it is SO funny! But, no, it's not beer, it's actually TEA! I love this photo because it shows Amy's cheerful, glowing disposition. So you see why I asked her to take on the Zentangle for Kidz website?I think we really are this blurry in real life too... Me, Bette Abdu, Amy Broady, Katy AbbottToday, Tuesday, we CZTs who were not technically IN seminar, but were lurking around because we had family members in training - gathered together in the lobby to gossip and laugh and pretend to shoot a video about my new Tangle Cards. I think I have learned more out in the lobby than inside the seminar (LOL) - there are so many fascinating people here. And from all over the world!! I was so excited to meet ladies from Ecaudor, Latvia/Belgium, Sweden, South Africa and Alabama... and there are actually quite a few men here too. One is named "Dude". Yes. Dude. And my son and Caroline Broady are the youngest CZTs yet. Alex is 15 and Caroline is 14. Woo-hoo! A record! They will both be amazing CZTs. I was so proud of Alex - despite being groggy from cold medicine - he has been doing his best to be friendly and open-minded and he's been talking with people. I knew this was all worth it when, at dinner last night, he was asked what he might do with Zentangle, and he replied - "I think I'd like to teach it to my school. The entire school." And then went on to wonder how he could get enough supplies to give to all the students. Caroline is also pondering how to create a club at her school. Very cool kids!
The newest batch of CZTs! The group is so big they had to shoot the photo from the second floor.I hope this post doesn't sound like an ad for CZT training - it's actually quite difficult to get in (there's always a waiting list). But I think going to seminar, even if only to visit for a few hours, helps me reconnect to why I feel so passionate about what I do, and reminds me that there are an awful lot of people out there (like you all!) who are really wonderful, interesting folks. Without that reminder, I'd just crawl back into my batcave and draw on the walls. ;-D
Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search
I've been working really hard the past few weeks on one of my online courses. The Make Art That Sells Class is incredible! And a lot of hard work. I have been stretching my brain and trying to absorb the info and keep up with the work and give 100% to completing each week's challenges. Perhaps I will post some of my work when I come up for air, in two weeks (when Part A ends for the summer). For now, I wanted to let you know about the talent search that the teacher, Lilla Rogers, is conducting in case you would like to join in.
Although the prize is something I have dreamed of for ages (see below)... the competition is insanely fierce. However, I am trying to think of it as just a really cool challenge or assignment. Sometimes, if you want something too badly, you doom yourself to failure before you even start. So... do this for FUN not as if your career depended on it. :-)
Lilla Rogers Studio has launched a Global Talent Search to find the next hot new artist!
We have secured some incredible prizes for the winner including:
- TWO YEARS’ INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION BY LILLA ROGERS STUDIO, including a host of licensing deals and international promotion of you and your work. This includes:
- A SCRAPBOOKING LICENSE PRIMA MARKETING INC. The winner will work directly with Prima’s own Creative Director and in-house Design Team through the development process, giving them the hands on experience to learn about this industry from the inside out.
- A HOME DECOR OR GIFT PRODUCT LINE WITH MIDWEST-CBK. Midwest-CBK’s Vice-President of Design & Creative will personally work with the winner to create a strong product line of either gift or home decor, depending on what is the most natural fit. There’s the potential of developing wall art, lighting, textiles, ceramics, gifts, specialty products… all offered with the voice of this artist to help them build an identity and strong brand footprint in the marketplace.
- A LICENSE FOR A JOURNAL COVER WITH GORGEOUS STATIONERY CHAIN PAPERCHASE.
- A LICENSE FOR A DECORATIVE GARDEN PRODUCT WITH STUDIO M, the new artful home and garden division of Magnet Works, Ltd. The Director of Product Development will personally work with the winner throughout the development process to give them a better understanding of how a product line is conceptualized, developed, and marketed in the Specialty Gift Industry.
- A FEATURE IN WHERE WOMEN CREATE BUSINESS, the gorgeous business magazine from Stampington
In all cases licensing deals will be negotiated by Lilla Rogers Studio on behalf of the winner.
Registration for the Global Talent Search closes on Wednesday at 9am PST / 12 noon EST / 5pm GMT.The information pages are here: http://www.lillarogers.com/global-talent-search.
