Sandy Steen Bartholomew's Blog, page 39
April 8, 2012
Inspiration from Zenspiration
I finally had time to take a really good look at Joanne Fink's book, Zenspirations
- Letters & Patterning. This is a nice diversion from all the traditional Zentangle® books out there. Actually, it is NOT a Zentangle book, but rather a guide to drawing... "Frames, shapes, monograms, patterns & borders"... in Joanne's distinctive style. There are a lot of beautiful examples of her work, and a little bit of instruction. It doesn't really teach HOW to draw patterns, but gives lots of ideas on how to use such patterns.
I also watched a great video on YouTube of Joanne demonstrating how to draw her intriguing dangles and vertical patterning. This is the part of the book I was most interested in, and I admit, most disappointed with, when I discovered that there is only one page about it in the book. But watching her draw on the video made me want to grab my own pen and start "dangling"!
I love the way she found inspiration from Zentangle and incorporated it back into her own work, and style. I also love the idea of drawing down, or up, with tangles. I will admit, although it might shock some of you (!) that the hardest part of Zentangle - for me - is drawing in a non-representational manner. Horrors! I am an illustrator by nature and I crave a story. The story doesn't always come from people or creatures interacting in a scene. Sometimes, it can be letters or even a squiggly line.
Here's an example... the text from the cover of Totally Tangled:
Do you see how the two types of letters have personalities? Conflict? There's a bit of a story going on for those who notice that sort of thing. And by dangling something, it automatically creates action and interest.
Two years ago I did this mural for a local shop. It's dangly - I found it easier to just start from the top and work down. The mural we have been working on in my studio's stairwell started from the bottom and grew upwards.
So all this has been brewing in my head - growing and dangling tangles, stories, Joanne's dangle-style... AND the current preference for Zendalas... I found myself trying out the new Zentangle® Zendalas. Yes, tangling just for fun. What a concept. So I mixed it all together and got this (chaos?):
I used one of the blank tiles (most in the pack are pre-strung), started from the center-ish, added some lines and danglies - working around in a circle. Then, I added some Btl Joos and Mooka tangles. I added more straight lines behind the tangles and dangles and filled some of them with other tangles. I started shading with a pencil, but didn't like the way the paper was responding. I tried a gray Pitt marker, looked a little better... the paper is soft and very absorbative. I thought it still seemed a little flat, so I added some punches of red.
I like it. Although it is more an illustrated "Big Bang!" than a serene, contemplative, balanced Zendala. But I am more of the former than the latter anyway. In the CZT group on Facebook, there are so many seriously beautiful Zendalas appearing all of a sudden. Since I am feeling a little (w)itchy this week, I will go and post this one and see what people say. Hee hee. :-)
- Letters & Patterning. This is a nice diversion from all the traditional Zentangle® books out there. Actually, it is NOT a Zentangle book, but rather a guide to drawing... "Frames, shapes, monograms, patterns & borders"... in Joanne's distinctive style. There are a lot of beautiful examples of her work, and a little bit of instruction. It doesn't really teach HOW to draw patterns, but gives lots of ideas on how to use such patterns.
I also watched a great video on YouTube of Joanne demonstrating how to draw her intriguing dangles and vertical patterning. This is the part of the book I was most interested in, and I admit, most disappointed with, when I discovered that there is only one page about it in the book. But watching her draw on the video made me want to grab my own pen and start "dangling"!
I love the way she found inspiration from Zentangle and incorporated it back into her own work, and style. I also love the idea of drawing down, or up, with tangles. I will admit, although it might shock some of you (!) that the hardest part of Zentangle - for me - is drawing in a non-representational manner. Horrors! I am an illustrator by nature and I crave a story. The story doesn't always come from people or creatures interacting in a scene. Sometimes, it can be letters or even a squiggly line.
Here's an example... the text from the cover of Totally Tangled:
Do you see how the two types of letters have personalities? Conflict? There's a bit of a story going on for those who notice that sort of thing. And by dangling something, it automatically creates action and interest.
Two years ago I did this mural for a local shop. It's dangly - I found it easier to just start from the top and work down. The mural we have been working on in my studio's stairwell started from the bottom and grew upwards. So all this has been brewing in my head - growing and dangling tangles, stories, Joanne's dangle-style... AND the current preference for Zendalas... I found myself trying out the new Zentangle® Zendalas. Yes, tangling just for fun. What a concept. So I mixed it all together and got this (chaos?):
I used one of the blank tiles (most in the pack are pre-strung), started from the center-ish, added some lines and danglies - working around in a circle. Then, I added some Btl Joos and Mooka tangles. I added more straight lines behind the tangles and dangles and filled some of them with other tangles. I started shading with a pencil, but didn't like the way the paper was responding. I tried a gray Pitt marker, looked a little better... the paper is soft and very absorbative. I thought it still seemed a little flat, so I added some punches of red.I like it. Although it is more an illustrated "Big Bang!" than a serene, contemplative, balanced Zendala. But I am more of the former than the latter anyway. In the CZT group on Facebook, there are so many seriously beautiful Zendalas appearing all of a sudden. Since I am feeling a little (w)itchy this week, I will go and post this one and see what people say. Hee hee. :-)
April 6, 2012
Tangled Fashionista Review!
Run. Don't walk (actually just click this link...) over to Sandra Strait's blog Life Imitates Doodles!! She just posted a review of my new book, Tangled Fashionista. Yes, yes, that is exciting, and it is a very nice review, BUT her artwork...OH! Under the guise of "testing" the book's paper, she did pages with Copic markers, some with watercolor pencils, even a ballpoint pen... and every single "sample" is a masterpiece. Don't believe me? Go look RIGHT NOW, then come back and leave a comment here and tell me if I am wrong!
Oh, I am such a tease! Wanna see more? Oh, yeah, I know you do! Click me, baby...And here's her shortened link: http://bit.ly/I2AOyh put it in your Twitter and Facebook messages, OK?
Oh, I am such a tease! Wanna see more? Oh, yeah, I know you do! Click me, baby...And here's her shortened link: http://bit.ly/I2AOyh put it in your Twitter and Facebook messages, OK?
April 5, 2012
A whole TON more party pics!
My photographer friend, Laurie Strysko, gave me a disk of great photos from the Fairies and Fashion Book Party. If you are tired of looking at pictures, or just jealous because you didn't get to attend, skip this email!!
Oh - a quick ad - Fashionista books are available on Amazon (The Tangled Fashionista: 32 Pages to Tangle & Color (Design Originals)
), my Etsy store, and other booksellers. Also, I have a T-shirt on Zazzle with the Cover Girl. All shirts are 40% off at Zazzle through this Sunday (April 8) - be sure to enter the code: FINDSHIRT4ME when you checkout. And I would like to remind people... Tangled Fashionista IS a coloring book! It IS a coloring book. I have already written "How to Zentangle" books - this one is for fun.
And now back to our regularly scheduled program...I picked my favorites - these are so much better than my own photos - but there are quite a few... Enjoy!
Oooo - decisions! Yellow, cake? Chocolate...?
Hey! She stole my whole piece... and then went back for the crumbs!
Lilah's daddy had better watch his piece!
Leprechauns... Jillian, Geneva and Brianna
Karin looks like she's signing books too!
Actually, she's tangling a shield.
What Jodi did!
Hey Jen? What are YOU writing? Yowza! She's writing a whole book!
A signature for Susan...
...is worth one hug!
Comparing Tattoos
Karin embellishing the tangles.
Now... what are they planning?!
How did the cake get down here?!
March 21, 2012
Post-Party Pics
We had the BEST book party EVER this past Saturday! "Fairies and Fashion"...
I hadn't realized how badly I needed a party - and sometimes it is nice to be a celebrity for... about 3 hours. This party was to celebrate my new book (coloring book) "Tangled Fashionista" and Jen Carson's new fantasy novel, "Hapenny Magick". I did my usual, pre-party-panic... "What if no one comes? What if a TON of people come?" We had about 100 visitors over the 3 hours! (Thanks to everyone who came! I hope you had as much fun as we did!?)
Deb Moore of The Foothills restaurant constructed the most AMAZING castle cake. Not only was it gorgeous and awe-inspiring, but it was delicious too. Each section was a different kind of cake (vanilla below, chocolate and pound cake above). I sampled every section after the party was over - they were all good. I was a "little" hyper for the rest of the evening!
Anyone else feel REALLY nervous...?
Touch-ups and details
The details were amazing... do you see the tiny, sleeping flower-fairy baby next to the trunk?
Karin (left) was our greeter and chief tattoo-er. Sue, a local groupie... Bette and Jodi (right) are CZT groupies. Jodi is my "biggest fan".
Looks like there's a turret up my nose!
Oh, the photo opps!
(Click pic to see larger) - We started off with a fairly quick Zentangle demo. The kids sitting on the floor, and a handful of adults were willing to give it a try. All those serious looking folks in the back were too timid... or maybe they just came for the cake?
Jen read from her new book "Hapenny Magick"
Little fairies playing in the forest "Play-r Om"
Coloring pages from the coloring book
Making buttons and shields
"Why, yes, I bet I could deconstruct that pattern!" I wish I had made a photocopy. It was a great pattern. If you see this, please send me a copy. Please, please...
Jenna Greene played haunting fairy music. She'll be back for "Spring Into Warner" on May 19th! (Click the photo to visit her website)
Oh yes! And we also signed BOOKS! ;-D
Postscript... Postmortem.. alas, the castle hath toppled-eth. We tried to keep the front of the castle pristine for as long as possible. So cake was cut and served from the base, until we discovered that the castle part was CHOCOLATE! AHHH! So we cut and served the back of the castle. Near the end of the party I spied chunks of chocolate cake on the floor... and my eye moved up and up until... EEEK! The castle had fallen off!!! It was lying on top of the tiny fairy cakes. It was still delicious. In fact, it IS still delicious. We had some after dinner tonight as part of our Ostara celebration (yes, I know it is a day late!)
Postscript, Postscript - As for the books... you may remember that I wrote about Jen back in October of 2011 when she was doing a Kickstarter project to raise money for this book. If you want to know more about her and see all her links, take a look at that post. If you would like to buy her books, or mine, please consider buying them from one of our sites (Etsy is good!)... http://www.etsy.com/shop/jennifercarson for Jen's and www.bumblebat.com for mine. If you prefer to shop at your local bookstore, that is very cool! Or use Amazon... we don't mind as long as you read our books!! :-)
I hadn't realized how badly I needed a party - and sometimes it is nice to be a celebrity for... about 3 hours. This party was to celebrate my new book (coloring book) "Tangled Fashionista" and Jen Carson's new fantasy novel, "Hapenny Magick". I did my usual, pre-party-panic... "What if no one comes? What if a TON of people come?" We had about 100 visitors over the 3 hours! (Thanks to everyone who came! I hope you had as much fun as we did!?)
Deb Moore of The Foothills restaurant constructed the most AMAZING castle cake. Not only was it gorgeous and awe-inspiring, but it was delicious too. Each section was a different kind of cake (vanilla below, chocolate and pound cake above). I sampled every section after the party was over - they were all good. I was a "little" hyper for the rest of the evening!
Anyone else feel REALLY nervous...?
Touch-ups and details
The details were amazing... do you see the tiny, sleeping flower-fairy baby next to the trunk?
Karin (left) was our greeter and chief tattoo-er. Sue, a local groupie... Bette and Jodi (right) are CZT groupies. Jodi is my "biggest fan".
Looks like there's a turret up my nose!
Oh, the photo opps!
(Click pic to see larger) - We started off with a fairly quick Zentangle demo. The kids sitting on the floor, and a handful of adults were willing to give it a try. All those serious looking folks in the back were too timid... or maybe they just came for the cake?
Jen read from her new book "Hapenny Magick"
Little fairies playing in the forest "Play-r Om"
Coloring pages from the coloring book
Making buttons and shields
"Why, yes, I bet I could deconstruct that pattern!" I wish I had made a photocopy. It was a great pattern. If you see this, please send me a copy. Please, please...
Jenna Greene played haunting fairy music. She'll be back for "Spring Into Warner" on May 19th! (Click the photo to visit her website)
Oh yes! And we also signed BOOKS! ;-D
Postscript... Postmortem.. alas, the castle hath toppled-eth. We tried to keep the front of the castle pristine for as long as possible. So cake was cut and served from the base, until we discovered that the castle part was CHOCOLATE! AHHH! So we cut and served the back of the castle. Near the end of the party I spied chunks of chocolate cake on the floor... and my eye moved up and up until... EEEK! The castle had fallen off!!! It was lying on top of the tiny fairy cakes. It was still delicious. In fact, it IS still delicious. We had some after dinner tonight as part of our Ostara celebration (yes, I know it is a day late!)Postscript, Postscript - As for the books... you may remember that I wrote about Jen back in October of 2011 when she was doing a Kickstarter project to raise money for this book. If you want to know more about her and see all her links, take a look at that post. If you would like to buy her books, or mine, please consider buying them from one of our sites (Etsy is good!)... http://www.etsy.com/shop/jennifercarson for Jen's and www.bumblebat.com for mine. If you prefer to shop at your local bookstore, that is very cool! Or use Amazon... we don't mind as long as you read our books!! :-)
Cleaning Out
I was snitching photos from my mother's camera to show you the great book party this past weekend, and I found a few of her "pre-event" photos too. They are actually a little sad... a deserted store... but interesting too. Yes, it took us three months to clean out most of the store. And truthfully, it's nowhere near actually being clean. My kids, Alex and Lilah, helped me push all the remaining product and extra displays into the storage room and stamp room. Anything we couldn't move, we covered with pretty cloths. Lilah was in heaven! It was a huge, colorful, empty space to dance and twirl around.
Take a look at the pics in the next post to see how pretty it looked (cleaned up!)
The TOY section... gone.
Games, puzzles, Klutz... gone
Books... sorta gone. It's amazing what was still left even after we offered to GIVE stuff away!?
27 boxes donated to World Vision. Seriously. And this was the SECOND batch. The room felt HUGE when they were gone!I think I need to do a yard sale at the shop to get rid of the extra displays - big and small. Then... maybe some new paint... then a killer idea of what to DO in this space now! I have a few ideas, but I am open to hearing more. Put your opinion in the comments below - what would you like to see in this space?
BEFORE and AFTER (I kept the kids, but I'm storing them elsewhere)
Take a look at the pics in the next post to see how pretty it looked (cleaned up!)
The TOY section... gone.
Games, puzzles, Klutz... goneBooks... sorta gone. It's amazing what was still left even after we offered to GIVE stuff away!?27 boxes donated to World Vision. Seriously. And this was the SECOND batch. The room felt HUGE when they were gone!I think I need to do a yard sale at the shop to get rid of the extra displays - big and small. Then... maybe some new paint... then a killer idea of what to DO in this space now! I have a few ideas, but I am open to hearing more. Put your opinion in the comments below - what would you like to see in this space?
BEFORE and AFTER (I kept the kids, but I'm storing them elsewhere)
March 12, 2012
"Fairies and Fashion"
Don't forget! This Saturday, St. Patrick's Day, March 17th - from 1-4pm - is the Fairies and Fashion Book Party. It is going to be such a blast - books, music, projects, a castle cake and other cool yummies, books, and a Zentangle demo/workshop at 1pm. Yes, kids are VERY welcome!!
March 5, 2012
UNTangle Retreat Complete
When it ended, I binged on chocolate, then slept for 14 hours. Yes, the retreat was THAT good!
If you would like to see even more pictures, there are lots posted on Facebook.
I still can't get over how many people came up here for this retreat! Even with the snowstorm. What an amazing group of people - an interesting mix of skills and characters - and even a few men. Whoo-hoo! Linda Pearl did an impressive job getting it all pulled together and she is already planning another retreat for the last weekend in September (write that in your calendar!) UN-Tangle 2 will be a day longer and will have some business stuff added in. I'll tell you more about it when I can.
I am also really grateful to Jody Ehler for helping out as my assistant. Seriously. I could not have done this. Nuh-uh. No way. She was also really good at sticking my head back on my shoulders and did everything except remind me to eat my vegetables. (yuck, veggies). Although the food WAS really good!
So, we tangled and played and tried out stuff and triumphed and burned some things and messed up a few others... mostly triumphed I think. :-) On Sunday, when many in the group took turns showing off their creations, there were some amazing, heartfelt stories shared... And we also discovered a bunch of comedians hiding amongst these, mostly, normal seeming folks!
I am staying the rest of this week here at The Beachmere to work on a new project for Fox Chapel. (I think I am the only person here today! A tiny bit creepy, but also very calming.) I crave the quiet time to recharge and recuperate, but also miss everyone already!! I don't think I have talked that much, or laughed that hard!! in a VERY long time! I hope to cross paths - and play - with you all again soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to hang out with me - I hope you all had a wonderful time. :-)
Linda Pearl coordinated all the left-brain aspects of the weekend. I handled the right.
My paparazzi!?
Tracy and Merry introduce themselves and show off their creations.
Marcia tangling part of the window.
The windows viewed from below, in the pub.
Through the tangled window... to the beach. Can you believe we had this view from our workroom?! (Snow, sea and surfers. Seriously.)
My room with a view.
If you would like to see even more pictures, there are lots posted on Facebook.
I still can't get over how many people came up here for this retreat! Even with the snowstorm. What an amazing group of people - an interesting mix of skills and characters - and even a few men. Whoo-hoo! Linda Pearl did an impressive job getting it all pulled together and she is already planning another retreat for the last weekend in September (write that in your calendar!) UN-Tangle 2 will be a day longer and will have some business stuff added in. I'll tell you more about it when I can.
I am also really grateful to Jody Ehler for helping out as my assistant. Seriously. I could not have done this. Nuh-uh. No way. She was also really good at sticking my head back on my shoulders and did everything except remind me to eat my vegetables. (yuck, veggies). Although the food WAS really good!
So, we tangled and played and tried out stuff and triumphed and burned some things and messed up a few others... mostly triumphed I think. :-) On Sunday, when many in the group took turns showing off their creations, there were some amazing, heartfelt stories shared... And we also discovered a bunch of comedians hiding amongst these, mostly, normal seeming folks!
I am staying the rest of this week here at The Beachmere to work on a new project for Fox Chapel. (I think I am the only person here today! A tiny bit creepy, but also very calming.) I crave the quiet time to recharge and recuperate, but also miss everyone already!! I don't think I have talked that much, or laughed that hard!! in a VERY long time! I hope to cross paths - and play - with you all again soon! Thank you so much for taking the time to hang out with me - I hope you all had a wonderful time. :-)
Linda Pearl coordinated all the left-brain aspects of the weekend. I handled the right.
My paparazzi!?
Tracy and Merry introduce themselves and show off their creations.
Marcia tangling part of the window.
The windows viewed from below, in the pub.
Through the tangled window... to the beach. Can you believe we had this view from our workroom?! (Snow, sea and surfers. Seriously.)
My room with a view.
March 1, 2012
A Closer Look
If you watched the YouTube video of me demoing at CHA and kept wishing you could get a closer look at what I was actually doing...
I can't go back in time, or change the video, but I did scan the art that I was working on:
I hope that helps a bit!
This is Page 25 from the new Tangled Fashionista book.
I am going to Maine for my UN-Tangle Retreat - tomorrow!?- but when I get back next week, I will have these books available on my Bumblebat Etsy store. (I will have them available for CZTs too). I'll upload some more sample pics from the book. And, if you can wait to order it from me... (bribery follows)... you can get the books signed. Not enough? OK, my copies also come with a bookmark of 4 body stickers (removable tattoos). More?! OK, I have some "secret" extra pages you'll be able to download, print out, and color!
And, speaking of retreats, my workshop at The Midwest Art and Lettering Retreat has only a few spots left! I know it is not until August, but it's almost full! Wowza. I have heard that everyone who has signed up is a CZT (Certified Zentangle® Teacher) - so that takes the class to a new level. If you are a newbie, this isn't the class for you. But don't worry, Linda and I are working on some other ideas for retreats later this year. That is assuming this weekend goes well! ;-)
My daughter has an ear infection and this morning, she said "Hi mommy! My tummy feels funny...." then ran into the bathroom and starting puking. Ugh. And it snowed last night and I can't get my car out of the carport to go to The Belfry and fill orders and finish packing stuff. I still need to wash clothes, et al... and have I mentioned how excited and nervous I am!? Eeeek. But it's going to be fine. Fine. Just fine. I just feel really bad for my retreater from Arizona whose flight was canceled and she can't get another one in time. :-( We'll have to put together some goodies to send her from the weekend so she can do a mini-retreat at home.
Well... it IS really beautiful outside right now.
I can't go back in time, or change the video, but I did scan the art that I was working on:
I hope that helps a bit!
This is Page 25 from the new Tangled Fashionista book.
I am going to Maine for my UN-Tangle Retreat - tomorrow!?- but when I get back next week, I will have these books available on my Bumblebat Etsy store. (I will have them available for CZTs too). I'll upload some more sample pics from the book. And, if you can wait to order it from me... (bribery follows)... you can get the books signed. Not enough? OK, my copies also come with a bookmark of 4 body stickers (removable tattoos). More?! OK, I have some "secret" extra pages you'll be able to download, print out, and color!
And, speaking of retreats, my workshop at The Midwest Art and Lettering Retreat has only a few spots left! I know it is not until August, but it's almost full! Wowza. I have heard that everyone who has signed up is a CZT (Certified Zentangle® Teacher) - so that takes the class to a new level. If you are a newbie, this isn't the class for you. But don't worry, Linda and I are working on some other ideas for retreats later this year. That is assuming this weekend goes well! ;-)
My daughter has an ear infection and this morning, she said "Hi mommy! My tummy feels funny...." then ran into the bathroom and starting puking. Ugh. And it snowed last night and I can't get my car out of the carport to go to The Belfry and fill orders and finish packing stuff. I still need to wash clothes, et al... and have I mentioned how excited and nervous I am!? Eeeek. But it's going to be fine. Fine. Just fine. I just feel really bad for my retreater from Arizona whose flight was canceled and she can't get another one in time. :-( We'll have to put together some goodies to send her from the weekend so she can do a mini-retreat at home.
Well... it IS really beautiful outside right now.
February 23, 2012
Fairies and Fashion - Double Book Signing!
Save the date of St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17th, 2012 and be sure to come to the "Fairies and Fashion" book signing at Wingdoodle in Warner, NH.This amazing party is being held to celebrate the release of two fantastical books - Hapenny Magick by Jennifer Carson, and The Tangled Fashionista by... ME!If you would like more details, visit the events page on Facebook or take a look at the poster below...
I will have my other books as well as Zentangle® supplies available for sale. Jen will also have her first book, To Find a Wonder, and some of her patterns for her fantasy dolls (including characters from the new book!) There will be food, music, craft projects and a free Zentangle workshop. You gotta be there!
I will have my other books as well as Zentangle® supplies available for sale. Jen will also have her first book, To Find a Wonder, and some of her patterns for her fantasy dolls (including characters from the new book!) There will be food, music, craft projects and a free Zentangle workshop. You gotta be there!
CHA post - Update
I jumped the gun with last night's video. Suzanne posted it on her blog today along with some great pictures of me demoing and posing with other famous people. ;-D (Hee Hee)
If you had trouble with the video in the email, here is the actual link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZIA8Dx-qIY
And the blog link: http://blog.suzannemcneill.com/2012/02/23/zentangle-at-cha-with-sandy-.aspx
If you had trouble with the video in the email, here is the actual link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZIA8Dx-qIY
And the blog link: http://blog.suzannemcneill.com/2012/02/23/zentangle-at-cha-with-sandy-.aspx
