Waltz. 1.. 2.. 3… 1.. 2.. 3… And a twirl around here and there. When I look at this tile, that ballroom dance, learned so long ago comes to mind. I like the counterpoint of the graceful Mooka dancing around the edges of the triangular, jeweled Tripoli. I loved creating this tile. It’s simple design allowed me to practice precise, balanced line placement. I find that very Zen.

It’s hot. I mean really, really hot. Yesterday on the way home, it was 118˚. On Monday, it was 119˚! The official temperature (in the shade at the airport!) was a few degrees cooler. But I don’t live in the shade at the airport. I try to stay home, but once in a while, I just have to go out. Those higher temperatures were reported by my car’s thermometer.

All dressed up. This little bijou is a remake of one I did at the CZT seminar. I decided to dress it up a bit by mounting it on a tan tile and adding a few frames. Huggins has become one of my favorite, meditative tangles! Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle Bijou tile using a black and brown, Pigma Micron pens and white, Sakura Gelly Roll. Shading done with graphite pencil and Copic markers.

Tangleation. Sometimes you just need a small change to create an interesting difference. A Tangleation is a noticeable variation of an existing pattern. Here, the original tangle was Bales. In this version, it appears as if one rice shape is piercing the other where they cross. Sometimes you just need to tangle a small thing and then move on with your day. This is a Bijou tile, and there is just one tangle on it.

No mistakes. That’s right… There are no mistakes in Zentangle. Unexpected things DO happen, but they aren’t mistakes. They are opportunities to explore another direction. You don’t give up. You don’t throw away the work you’ve already done. Following a different fork in the road can take you to new vistas and allows you to discover new techniques. Some of the best tiles I’ve made come from unexpected twists and turns during the process.

This is another tile that I, unfortunately, left at Seminar. But I have to say that I actually like this version better! I normally put finished tiles in my scrapbook on a black background. But here, I decided to change it up a bit because I made the edge of the 3Z black. With it on a taupe background, I think it stands out better. Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle 3Z tile using a black, sepia and brown, Pigma Micron pens and white Sakura Gelly Roll pen.

Monday, July 16, 2018 I taught the first and second Introduction to Zentangle classes at Good Gifts Healing Art Studio. We had eight eager students in the first session. You can see their tiles above, before we did any shading on them. The second session was smaller and more personalized, with two wonderful, attentive students. Below, I’ve added my tile to the mosaic to make it more impactful.

I accidentally left 3 tiles behind at the CZT Seminar. While I’m sad about that… I decided to recreate them! This one is done on a Zendala tile, but it’s not perfectly symmetrical. Working in the round isn’t something that I do very often. But I was very surprised at how relaxing this was. I think not having to make everything match from side to side takes the stress out of this type of design.

River of berries. Adding a bit of graphite, using a simple pencil and a tortillon, transforms tangles on a tile into a small piece of art and fills it with life. Don’t fear the pencil! Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil. Tangles: Fife Flukes Poke Root

This beautiful Spundala was created by CZT Amanda Higbee! I am blown away that she used Pea-nuckle in the round. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen anyone do that before! It certainly never occurred to me to try it! Zentangle drawn on Strathmore Vellum Bristol using a purple and pink, Sakura Pigma Micron pens. Shading done with watercolor pencils. Tangles: Crescent Moon Emingle Keeko Pea-Nuckle

Difference. These two little Bijou tiles both have the same tangle, Munchin. The first tile, in the upper left, was done by scattering dots on the tile and then drawing the tangle in the traditional way. I added shading at the convergence of the lines for each small triangle. For the second tile, I started in the center of the tile with one triangle. Then, I added each new triangle, growing off of the existing ones.

Tiny bubbles (tiny bubbles) In the wine (in the wine) Make me happy (make me happy) Make me feel fine (make me feel fine) - Leon Pober Sorry, I just couldn’t resist! Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle Tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil. Highlights created with white colored pencil and white acrylic paint pen. Tangles: Tipple

We have learned to appreciate and focus on each thing, one stroke at a time. I love this frame made from an Apprentice tile. I also really love the bijouism that was added to it by our guides! You can get your own collection of 24 bijouisms by following the link. The little tin actually contains two of each… one for you to keep and one to give away!

What are these creatures we found hiding under the leaves? Each one is different, bearing fragmented patterns creating their own interpretation? It is our third day along this path. We’ve grown bolder, looking here and there and finding new things or changing the old. Zentangle drawn on an Official Zentangle tile using a black, Micron pen. Shading done with graphite pencil. Tangles: Articulated Molygon

Remembrance. As we walk on this path, I am reminded to spend time with others I’m walking here with. The time will go so fast and we will, literally, be scattered to all the corners of the earth. But we will remember each other, and this special time here. This beautiful, rosemary stem is drawn using the tangle Verdigogh. Rosemary is for rememberance. I wanted to add something to it, but I couldn’t decide what.