Artist in Wonderland

A Tangled Week - Part 1

2012-01-25T20:37:00.004-05:00

One of the most wonderful perks of being a Zentangle Trainer is the amazing community of creatives that I am part of. One of these communities is on Facebook - Friends of Zentangle. Feel free to check it out here.

Last week a friend of mine posted a question about how everyone stores all of their Zentangle art, Tangles and reference materials. Not a bazaar question by any means but it made me really think about the fact that I rarely keep my pieces. I usually give them away as gifts or keep them in my sketchbook on a shelf.

WHAT KIND of creative showing is that for myself? SERIOUSLY! So this week I am taking some time and spending some quality time with my pens. This is what I've come up with so far; it is not done yet but I am keeping it just for me. More updates later ;-). Have a great week everyone!!

A Creative Soul

2012-01-22T10:36:00.002-05:00

Here is my morning my reminder that I have a creative soul. I am built of beautiful material and I can achieve amazing things.

I hinted about the big changes in my life recently earlier this year... For 10 years I spent the majority of every day in a passive-aggressive, co-dependent, job. Which, given my personal history, IS NOT a healthy place to have been. The thing is, "they" are right, you stay for the people. And, I worked with some wonderful people that changed my life in beautiful ways. But there were others, as there always are, that simply sucked ... the life and soul right out of me.

Until this week I didn't fully understand what a toll this took on me. I am amazed at how many times a day I question my self: my ability, my personality, my opinions, my intelligence and my talent. This simply can not be allowed to continue. I don't know the exact day it started but I'm ending it. It's time to listen to my creative soul again.

Traditions Change

2012-01-21T18:03:00.004-05:00

Traditions were never important in my family growing up. So, when I had kids it became very important to me that they had traditions in their lives - something that they would want to continue with their children when the time came.

Every year I write them each a letter, a year in review as well as a way to give them their history when they are grown. We also create an ornament every year. It was always my plan that when they were old enough they would each receive a box of ornaments made by them and the story of their life.

This year they are 16 and 19 and I guess that is too old to make ornaments with Mom since no one wanted to make them this year. I was so disappointed but it was naive of me to think it would last forever. So, until I have grandchildren, this family tradition has changed. This is my Zentangle inspired snowflake. Little late but made with love and finished for the boxes before the end of January - phew.

Enjoy!

Christmas Presents

2011-12-23T22:34:00.005-05:00

There have been a lot of changes over here in my corner of the blogosphere! New hair color, new pant size and a new job! The last four months have been an absolute whirlwind! Hence the dead air since August. I put everything down to make a GIANT shift in my reality. One that was LONG overdue!

There comes a time in every one's life when change is necessary. It was my turn and as hard as it was - I did it! Successfully I may add. No more doubting my ability and no more misconceived notion that I am broken.

It is almost a New Year! To which I would like to happily put an end to! So let me say goodbye to this one with a simple wish to you ...
I wish you a very happy holiday and all the joy that is humanly possible!
See you back here soon!
Hugs, Toni

A Special Zentangle Choice

2011-08-17T20:34:00.003-04:00

It's no secret that I give away more of my little Zentangle masterpieces than I keep. It's also no secret that this has become more difficult lately - because of the great Tangles I've been harvesting or just because I love them all for how they make me feel? Who knows! Whatever the reason it's taken some special occasions for me to give these away lately.

I hope it's no secret that I am blessed with amazing people in my life! If this comes as a surprise I am not writing about them enough. Four of these people have birthdays this month. The first two will be getting one of these. What a choice to make - who will get which one??? I can't say who they are... they are usually reading and I don't want to spoil the surprise. So I'll just say this -

"A ton of love and happiness went into these and I hope that you feel it when you open the cards! Happy Birthday Beautiful Ladies, Love Me."

To everyone else, I hope you enjoy these too and that you are as inspired by wonderful people in your lives. Enjoy!

Zentangle Jewelry

2011-08-11T09:03:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone,

In my last post I linked over to the instructions on how to create the Zentangle pendants that are in the new Zentangle 5 book by Design Originals. The link isn't working well so I am going to put them here in the "Toni's Tangles" section of my blog. I'll have to dust off the cobwebs in there before guests can come in so give me a little bit of time.

Hope all is well in your worlds.

T:-)

Zentangle Jewelry

2011-08-08T13:22:00.004-04:00

It's been a pretty slow few weeks for me here in Wonderland. I have a cross stitch project in the works that simply does not want to get finished - heehee. Hence the absence of Zentangle art on my blog.
This is NOTHING like my friend Suzanne McNeill - I'm sure you all know her right? From Design Originals, she's an amazing quilter and artist. She's also a publishing dynamo - her new book, Zentangle 5, just came out. I swear she does two a year...
THIS ONE, however, is very exciting to me because I am in it!! WOOHOO!!! I met Sue last year at the Zentangle Retreat in Newport where I spent four blissful days alone with my pens and thoughts. During the class I displayed my pendants. Short version of the story, last year she was putting together a jewelry book, she wanted to include me, 12 months later it's in! Congratulations to Suzanne on another wonderful book! Thanks for including me. I encourage everyone to check out the book - it has some incredibly creative projects in it!!! Enjoy!

Imagining New Worlds

2011-07-22T14:29:00.003-04:00

This week's Diva Challenge was a lot of fun. I took a
tiny break from them for a couple of weeks - I had a bunch of presents to finish. I LOVE making the gifts I give, but do you ever find that it stresses you out? Kind of defeats the purpose of being fun. It is VERY rewarding though! This week we were asked to create a world a fairy would live in. I am an expert at imagining OTHER places to be so I jumped on it! If I was a fairy I think I'd like to hang out here. In the end this piece turned into a thank you card for a good friend of mine. Hope you all imagine yourselves in cool, dry beautiful places this week end. ENJOY

A Zentangle Trainer's Response to Boredom

2011-07-14T20:33:00.003-04:00

What do Zentangle Trainer's do during meetings? We listen, respond, take notes and Tangle. This continues to be topic for some debate to the few non - believers that I encounter occasionally. Until I coax them into trying it. They simply cannot believe that it helps concentration and retention. But I have yet to meet one that isn't converted after they try it. Hope you're as lucky! If you haven't had this experience yet...try it for yourself.

I'm bummed this was done on the back of an agenda in ball point pen. I can't bring myself to display it and I can't bring myself to toss it out either. However, I do have a brand new set of Micron pens - in all colors - that are calling for me to use some pages in my training sketch book. Have a great Friday everyone.

Zentangles on Vacation

2011-07-12T17:47:00.004-04:00

I had long ago given up on trying to get my kids to draw. Once they turned 13 it wasn't fun any more :-( . Seems that I got all the art genes. Guess how surprised I was when my 19 year old brought me this over vacation last week (with a huge smile I might ad). He was BORED so he decided to dig into my trainer's notebook and see what he could do. How beautiful is this? He's had a single class that I forced him to take so I could practice. It's a FULL SHEET of sketchbook paper!

So, what did I learn from this?

Leave my class materials spread out in my studio more often! I am not the only one that gets inspired by them. Hope you are inspired today too! Enjoy.

K is for Birthday Zentangles

2011-07-08T14:48:00.004-04:00

I've been on vacation this week and busying myself with day trips and Zentangles. I finally managed to finish these pieces that I have been working on for over a week ... birthday gifts. These were conveniently done using the Diva Challenge #29 - String Theory, Creative Genesis.
I'll be honest, I am not a fan of the string theory challenges. I don't typically use a string, I'm more of a free flow gal. SO, I confess, I cheated a little with this one. I forced the embroidery floss and needle I used to "create" my string into the "K" that is in the tile. However, I DID use actual string to create my "string". So I call it fair. Hope you are all having a great week with lots of sun and inspiration. Enjoy.

Tripoli Zentangles - I am the Diva #28

2011-07-01T16:47:00.006-04:00

June and July are great months. Mostly because it's warm and pretty and the kids get out of school, but also because I have a ton of birthdays to celebrate. This year I decided to Zentangle all of the birthday cards I needed. Thought this would be easy, as I am accustomed to giving away my little art works. However, I realized that giving these away has become more and more difficult. This means that I am becoming more and more attached to this art form. They are becoming like my paintings - impossible for me to give away.

I suppose that this is a good thing, it means I am winning my war on creative block and non-inspiration! YEAH ME!

This weeks Diva Challenge was to use the brand new Tangle - Tripoli. You can see it in these two examples most clearly. Happy Birthday Mom and welcome to the world Sophie! Happy Fourth of July everyone!!!

End of the Week Creativity - Two Zentangle Challenges in One

2011-06-24T11:23:00.004-04:00

I am officially caught up on the I Am the Diva challenges. I got a little behind in my creative ventures for a bit with redoing the house and the other plans that I have cooking right now. BUT with this little 3.5x3.5 tile I am officially caught up on my challenges and my Creative Every Day endeavor. Last weeks challenge was to use a spiral as your String and this week we were forced to only use two Tangles.

I thought I was really going to have a tough time with this weeks piece - neither Dex or Verdigogh are my FAVORITE Tangels to work with. Then, just like it's supposed to with Zentangle, once I committed to it and "put pen to paper" it happened, seemingly all on its own. But not really ... I am trying to be more careful about giving myself credit ... and I have to give myself some credit on this one. Despite my hesitation and yes "fear" of working with unfamiliar elements I succeeded. YEAH ME! Spoiler alert - I will be spending considerable time with this concept in the coming weeks. Can't wait to see what develops. ENJOY!

Zentangle Mobile HAS Begun

2011-06-22T17:54:00.004-04:00

Weeks ago I posted about creating my own little Zentangle Display using an old frame and some hooks I had laying around. You can see it in my studio in this picture. Shortly after that post, I got a great surprise from a very dear friend of mine ;-) - (you know who you are). The very same type of mobile that Rick and Maria have hanging over their table is now hanging over my desk. I LOVE IT!!!! And last night I finally hung it up and added my first Zentangle. Now I can't wait to add more, stick around and watch it grow!

So, this post serves two purposes...a giant THANK YOU to my
very dear friends AND to show off my newly finished work area! I finally have a spot that isn't my couch to work in! WOOHOO!
Hope you all have extra special friends that help make your creative spaces extra special too! ENJOY!

2011-06-17T08:47:00.002-04:00

Good morning friends! Before my day gets all crazy and I am not able to post this - again - I wanted to share my Diva challenge #25 from last week - YES LAST WEEK! Sigh - sometimes being a domestic Goddess is harder work than I bargain for and I run out of time and energy. I am catching up though..woohoo!!

So this is the mandala challenge and tonight I will be working on the spiral one. Could not be happier that it is almost summer - I have some fun stuff in the works I just need the time to get to them! ENJOY!

Zentangle at Northbridge High - OP GRAD

2011-06-04T20:35:00.006-04:00

Five months of painting and I only managed to get shots of two sections - sigh. I am so glad that I shared the panels as they were completed - go here and here if you missed them earlier.

This is the back of the room...cute little cafe area for everyone to sit at while they ate pizza, and the billion other items that were provided.

This is the front of the room - where everyone walked in. The gorgeous mural is wall paper, not painted by me...but I'm taking credit because I had to put the thing together on the panels - it was 16 pieces. It covers the soda machines.

Congratulations NHS 2011 Seniors! Welcome to the big time! NOW I can get back to some smaller projects! Lata gatas.

Painted Pokeleaf and Printemps

2011-05-24T21:09:00.002-04:00

I was going to wait and post these later this week, all assembled. But then I remembered that this is supposed to be a surprise for the seniors. I know at least one of them follows me here so this is all I can show. I'll post the whole room put together the night of June 3rd. This set of panels was inspired by more of my favorite Tangles ...

Printemps

Pokeleaf

I can't tell you how excited I am to put these all together! Lata Gatas!

Diva's Zentangle Challenge of the Week - Strings from Strangers

2011-05-20T14:46:00.008-04:00

This week the Diva challenged us to use a String made by someone else. My someone else turned out to be a complete stranger at Starbucks. I was just going to draw my String using my left hand, but was clearly struggling with that. Surprisingly, a very nice lady offered her help. Here is String. It's for a friend. Because I am incredibly proud of her and her birthday is coming up.

Here is what it looks like this morning. Not shaded yet ... but the clock is ticking the sun is finally out and I want to get this posted so I can finally enjoy a day without rain.. This was a fun one to do. I may have to solicit help more often. Have a great day lovelies.

Painted Zentangles

2011-05-17T17:26:00.009-04:00

In my little town, maybe yours too, we have a tradition of throwing a huge all night party for the graduating high school seniors. Every year the parents of the graduating class transform the Community Center into a completely different place. I can't spell our plan out here, it's TOP SECRET and who knows who's reading this.

The point is that this year my oldest graduates. SO ... this was my year to volunteer and contribute to the "show". I'm still in shock over this and it's only two weeks away. Here are some pictures of what I am doing. I'll post more as I finish up. Can you see Pokeroot? Msst? Fescue? Not great pics I know. Trust me they are there!
After my horrible failure at trying to paint Zentangles on my bedroom walls I was a little scared to try this. These panels are 9' high and some of them were 12' wide. However, I learned that using color at this size helped me a lot. Especially when you have as many colors as you can imagine at your disposal.

This is the only time I have done my Zentangles in full color and I have to say that I loved it. The size also helped me get around the standard of black and white too. I doubt it will replace what I usually do - I'm a traditionalist to the bone - but it has been fun playing around. What are some of the things you do when you are playing around? I'd love to know!

Hope everything is great in your neck of the woods!
Chow for now!

Zentangle Class ... A Healing Art

2011-05-16T17:14:00.007-04:00

The most relaxing and peaceful Zentangle Class was had last Thursday. Ten wonderful human beings assembled at Ancient Wisdom Healing Arts in Southboro MA for three hours of Zentangling, wine, cheese and amazing cookies and biscotti! Here are the images from this class. It was my second one coming off my long hiatus. It was so much fun I find that I can't wait for my next! This is a wonderful feeling to get back!

I want to take a moment to thank Margo for inviting me into the studio, sharing the evening with me and for setting a new standard by which all future classes will be judged. FOOD is now a must have! And yes, Margo, I did collect THE Chocolate Cookie recipe off of your Facebook page - YUM!!
THANK YOU!

Chow for now :-)

I Can Do That Myself!

2011-05-04T17:11:00.005-04:00

Are you like me? I won't buy anything that I can make myself (unless I simply HAVE TO HAVE IT). The frame shown here is one of those items. I made this myself. Save some money and create one for yourself too. Here's the story:

Let me start by saying that I am always on the lookout for creative ways to display my Zentangles. I hate letting them hide in a book and you can only hang so many little frames on your walls. Rick and Maria have an amazing mobile hanging over their dining room table that they created with some of their Zentangles and a wire structure that they purchased somewhere. I have coveted it for a long time but never pulled the trigger on purchasing one of the contraptions for myself.

Then, last night I found a similar piece that I fell in love with at Pier 1. This one was a frame with a wire grid that had clips on it. Perfect for displaying Zentangles! But, it was over $30.00 and I just couldn't spend that amount of money on an empty frame and some wire.

I immediately went home and asked my wonderful husband to cut a piece of paneling for me. I glued it into an empty frame that I had in my creativity hoard (we all have one of those right?). I twisted some hooks into the paneling, strung the clips onto spiral embellishments, and hung my Zentangles from the clips. EASY PEASY. Enjoy, and if this inspires you - share your pics on my Facebook page. Lata Gatas.

Creating Time

2011-04-29T10:12:00.003-04:00

"Say no to everything else. Put off what can be held at bay for the time being. And create time for what is necessary." Great advice from another blog I follow - Zen Habbits.

I have had a crazy week, doctor appointments, meetings, my 20 year high school reunion planning - wow! All week I have been trying to get to this week's Diva challenge...I even researched for this one - crying out loud! I just kept getting more and more irritated that I had no time. Finally, three days ago, I read the post mentioned above...and that was it. I stopped everything, picked up my pens and drew. I was up until 1am finishing but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do! I felt so much better getting this one out of my head and on paper.

I know it doesn't look like it but this was done on a standard white tile that I mounted on black paper. I extended the white MOOKA out onto the mat. I am not sure if this finishes my Mooka obsession, but there is no more room in the frame I am making so technically this is "it" - LOL. Anyhoo, I learned something this week that I already knew. You have to make time -especially for the important stuff. Time won't make itself available to you. SOOO, I am cutting this post short and getting ready to go out on the town with my incredibly handsome husband! DATE NIGHT - lata gatas!

A Horrible Failure and a Wonderful Success

2011-04-25T22:00:00.005-04:00

Last week I was on vacation... but you all know this. If you've been waiting for me to post the amazingly Zentangled walls of my freshly painted bedroom, I owe an explanation. Turns out that was a much more difficult project than anticipated. After trying and repainting three times, I gave up. Not to worry though, in order to have success you have to have failures right? I am going to stay creative and think of my horrible failure like this - I now know three ways NOT to Zentangle a wall...ahhahah.

I had some wonderful successes last week too.

Last Wednesday I taught an amazing class, (I don't mean that I was amazing, I mean that the students were). They were so great that I want to share these two Zentangles they did right after their first class. Aren't they AMAZING!? SO MUCH TALENT! So, to Kerry and her family I say, Thank You again for sharing your home and talent with me. You were a ton of fun and truly inspiring.

Now, I have to get back to researching William Morris. I want this week's Diva challenge to ROCK and I want it to complete my Mooka series of Zentangles. Lata Gatas.

Easter EGGZ

2011-04-22T09:32:00.005-04:00

This week's Diva Challenge (#18) was fun. Of course my scanner broke the day I finished it so I only have pictures instead of a very sharp scan ... hope you can see all the detail. Just like the challenge, I was also inspired by Easter and Mooka - I am sure this will surprise you given my last couple of posts.

In contrast to the last challenge, this little project took me hours. Hope you like it! Happy Easter if that's your persuasion. NOW... I am off to finish painting my bedroom and start my Zentangle embellishment of the freshly painted bedroom walls. Forgive the silence over the next couple of days - THIS project is taking FOREVER, ugh!

Lata Gatas!

Vacation Creativity!

2011-04-18T21:57:00.004-04:00

I'm playing a little trick on my mind this week. I have a ton of "work" around the house to get done - seasons changing, paint peeling, spring cleaning desperately needed! I decided to look at all of this "work" I have in front of me as various creative challenges. Here's how it's going so far.

All seasonal decorations have been swapped out - that was fun! The house looks all springy now. I'd call that creative. Yard pick up has started and we all know that there is not much fun about that. Except ... I have made the boys do this, I'd say that is a very creative way to approach this particular chore.

The biggest job in process this week is redecorating my downstairs. Seven years ago I thought it would be SO funky and fun to have a purple bedroom. It took two days for my husband to talk me out of purple wall to wall carpet. In December I threw my back out and spent three weeks in bed, in a bright purple room. Needless to say, that is when I decided it was time to repaint! I started the trim today. But, I'm worried that maybe I went a little too far in the other direction. So, my creative solution is this - I think I am going to Zentangle my freshly painted walls. I have that itch. Stay tuned to see how this one unfolds.

The ART of Limits

2011-04-12T13:24:00.005-04:00

Last night I took up the Diva and rocked through Zentangle challenge #17 - create a Zentangle in 15 minutes. Easier said than done, but I work better under pressure. There is something to be said about boundaries - like time limits. It's all about making a decision, implementing that decision and moving on - no going back. This - I LOVE!

I don't have many opportunities to work like this in my professional life. I crave it and take advantage of the ability to work like this in my personal (and artistic) life as often as I can. I know it sounds off but in my experience I have found that it forces you to be your most creative. Todd Henry over at Accidental Creative recently posted about just this subject. He put it perfectly, "with effective boundaries in place – even self-imposed ones – we can engage more fully and freely in the work because we’ve limited the number of variables we have to negotiate. (That’s what establishing practices in your life and creating is all about!)." How ironic that I get the chance to practice this so soon after reading his post.

Here is what my "15 Minutes of Fame" produced.

I used Mooka again since I didn't get to post my Zentangles for challenge #16. I didn't realize it but it appears that I am working on a set - this one will go perfectly with the other two. I see a large framed piece in my future. More for my "studio" (a.k.a. bedroom) walls.

Chow for now pals!

Creative Cravings

2011-04-11T20:36:00.020-04:00

This weekend I learned two things:

1) The weekly Zentangle challenge over at I am the Diva ends on Saturdays, so I didn't get to post my awesome MOOKA Zentangles - super sad!

2) I am terrified to continue working on my illuminated "H" - click here to see what I am talking about. Who knew I was so attached to it? Every time I sat to work on it I thought - "What if the pen leaks? What if I mess up (as if that would matter in a Zentangle)? What if the pattern doesn't blend well with what is already there...what if what if what if - sigh. SO, I turned on my computer and started playing around. After all, I do have an invitation to create...my son is graduating from high school in two months - OMG!

Quick side trip to illustrate my stream of consciousness - I drink A LOT of coffee... A LOT. At work we drink coffee all day, and not crappy coffee either. It's safe to say I'm addicted. As I was playing around in InDesign, I began craving some of that GREAT coffee! Here is where the stream of consciousness comes in; It occurred to me that we needed a better way than post it notes to label all of the kinds of coffee we have to use. Then I thought, they shouldn't be just labels either. What if I used one of my Zentangles... LONG STORY SHORT - here is what manifested!!

Are they most fabulous thing I have ever created? NO! Am I beside myself with pride that I created them - nah. Did it keep my creative juices accessible to continue to use? YES! Every little bit helps right? I am off to do this week's Zentangle challenge - and post it this time. More tomorrow, lata gatas.

Breakthrough...

2011-04-06T20:13:00.004-04:00

Gotta make this one quick tonight pals - American Idol is on and I have to concentrate on sending my love to my gal Lauren - but I needed to share these. Rick and Maria over at Zentangle posted a new tangle that I got lost in last night! Take a look: OH MY MOOKA ... Love this tangle! I spent two hours playing with it last night. It was the most time in three months that I have spent drawing! (Insert sigh of relief here). These haven't been shaded yet so I'm off to do that now. MAYBE I'll even break out the pens again... "Lata Gatas" (said in my worst Boston accent possible) ...heehee.

Weekend Creativity

2011-04-03T18:26:00.009-04:00

By the end of the week I am ready to STOP! Lately this has come to mean stop everything except what HAD to get done - cleaning, cooking, homework, sleeping, etc. It's been months since I have been consistently inspired and until recently, I admit it, I have been perfectly fine with that - sadly! I am embarrassed to say it, but if there wasn't a chore to do I could be found sitting in front of the TV or in bed. Which means I have been holed up in my basement where the den and bedroom are - comfortable but dark and chilly.

If you've been reading along the past couple of weeks you know that all of this goes along with the funk that I am working my way out of - and have managed some success in this week! I've been sticking to my five minute creative exercises and that's been helping! I've completed two long over due stitching projects and started reading a new book...but none of this smacks of creativity to me. I mean what's the big deal about picking up a stupid pencil and drawing something?! This is where I would typically begin the self deprecating internal rant! BUT not this weekend. I tried something new this week end - not revolutionary by typical standards but revolutionary for me.

First, I stopped the internal argument that I have with myself and accepted that the little progress I was making was good work. It took some convincing, but I was able to cut myself a break. This helped, at least I didn't feel bad about my progress. Then I literally changed location - I got out of my chair and went upstairs. All of my men were home and the sun was shining...it was easily 15 degrees warmer upstairs and so bright! I instantly felt better. Lastly, I went with the flow, I didn't force anything. I sat down in the sunniest spot in the house and read - for hours. In between reading I made breakfast, which lead to quiche for the week, which led to stuffed eggplant for dinner, which lead to research on how to use the head of red cabbage I bought with no idea how to use. In between each chapter I had the urge to try something new. And since I wasn't beating on myself for "not creating" it was pretty easy to see that I actually was "creating". Fancy that - I WON! I literally squealed with happy!

So, here it is 9pm on Sunday and I am finishing up my blog to do what??? Draw...I am dying to get downstairs and work on my Illuminated Letter from the Zentangle Master Class that I started last August. The kids are sick of seeing me in their space for the day and the dishes are done so I think it's safe to get comfy in my chair now. Especially since I will have pen and board in hand - wish me luck!

My Five Minutes

2011-03-30T12:31:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite bloggers, Ken Robert at Mildly Creative , had a post the other day about giving yourself five minutes to get back on track creatively. For me the whole post can be summed up with this line - " the longer you wait, the heavier things get. Inertia sets in. Fear grows larger and takes to plopping its fat ass atop your art supplies." You can read the whole post here.

This statement really stuck with me and got me to thinking about my own predicament and how to get over / under / around / through my current creative static. Ken's solution - give yourself five minutes of creativity a day (whatever your version of that may be). Sounded pretty easy and that's about all I had anyway - so I did it.

The image above is my result. The sign is a gift I got as an office warming gift from my then 12 year old son (he's 15 now). I started Zentangling it over a year ago while on a conference call one day. I haven't touched it since then. For some reason - maybe it's the sun - today seemed like a good day to get my ass in gear.

Strangely enough, that tiny five minute block really helped me! I feel that little tingle in my hands to stay busy building - always a good sign!! It's progress at least.

The Nature of the Problem

2011-03-27T14:17:00.004-04:00

"Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgement difficult." Hippocrates

Not sure why I am compelled to share this here but I feel the need to document this path I find myself on. I have come to another creative cross road that I thought "time off" would fix. It has not ... yet. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's daylight savings time, or maybe it's just plain lack of inspiration but I am officially drained. The act of creating has become tedious. This is hard to accept because it is so unexpected! I thought I prepared for everything. Last year proved to be a hard year...successful but hard. Starting a business, keeping a career, family and "me time" did not always play well together. I learned a lot though-about creativity, time management, desire and me. I learned that creating "on demand" and for everyone but me is destructive - for me. In the whirlwind of being creative "as a job" it lost its fun and allure. Which brings me to what I have been doing lately, reading, cooking, eating, journaling, sewing, spending time with the family, working and trying to re-ignite my passion for all things art.

As I mentioned, I think I am at the cross road. I am NOT burned out so that's a positive sign and I am building on that. In the meantime, I have been reading a lot. I am just starting a new book that I have had for a long time - Art & Fear by Bayles and Orland. In the first three pages of this book I feel like something is clearing up and I wanted to share this piece with from the book with you -

"Making art now means working in the face of uncertainty; it means living with doubt and contradiction, doing something no one much cares whether you do, and for which there may be neither audience nor reward. Making the work you want to make means setting aside these doubts so that you may see clearly what you have done, and thereby see where to go next. Making the work you want to make means finding nourishment within the work itself. "

I am concentrating on this - finding joy in the making of art again. I am finding "nourishment within the work itself". I am creating for no other reason than the pleasure of making something. And I am going to writing about it to keep myself accountable, vigilant and on track. Thanks for coming along!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-13T12:07:00.008-05:00

THIS piece is what has been taking up all of my spare time this past week AND what I have been dying to share with you. I have A MOUND of other stuff I can't wait to show you, but I'll start with this little post:

Happy Holidays friends!! Please know this comes with the best of wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and new year filled with joy ~ from my house to yours.

Enjoy

Meeting Zentangles

2010-12-03T12:38:00.004-05:00

I have decided that from now on I will gauge the level of frustration a meeting is causing me by the size of the Zentangle that I produce. This morning's meeting had a particularly difficult beginning, I'm going to keep positive about it though because this is what my notebook looks like now - SWEET!

I say it in every class I teach, doing a Zentangle calms you and keeps you focused! I offer you this example and my story as proof! Check out today's Zentangle blog for another great example!!

Hope you are all having a fantastic, frustration free day! ENJOY!

When we last saw Toni...

2010-11-24T21:20:00.004-05:00

... she was off to a great Halloween party with an amazing group of creative souls! But then she disappeared.

I went off to Cirque du Noir that night excited to meet new people. But, while I was there I had an epiphany - when was the last time I saw the people I already know and love? It had been way too long! Since I started this blog and my Zentangle business, I have been going NON STOP! I almost did exactly what I was trying not to do - burn out! SO... for the the last month I have concentrated on slowing down and catching up - with the really important things in my life! I put the computer aside (for the most part) and concentrated on my family and friends.

This past Saturday I had a date to have breakfast with my friend Dawn. I got to Rebecca's and as usual she was already there - with BOTH of her kids! What a great surprise... they are three of my favorite people and it was such a treat to get to spend time with all of them! A few months ago her daughter Emily took a Zentangle class with me in Grafton at A Time for Memories. She did great and really seemed to like it!!

I always imagine people that take my classes stick with it and go on to make more and more art, but honestly I don't know. Well, there she sat at the breakfast table with paper, pen and a folder full of drawings to show me - AWESOME! It was so gratifying to see that she had stuck with it. So much so that I have decided that I will also stick with it. You're all stuck with me ... or am I stuck with you? Heehee, happy for the company either way! I promised Emily Rose that I would show everyone her Zentangles. All of the images in this post are hers. I'm so proud of her! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

The Arts and Social Capital

2010-10-22T11:18:00.002-04:00

“The arts can nurture social capital by strengthening friendships, helping communities to understand and celebrate their heritage, and providing a safe way to discuss and solve difficult social problems.”From – Bettertogether: The Arts and Social Capital

I read this today in one of the blogs I follow - Speak Art Loud. Today's was a great post and very poignant given the attempts I am making to connect in the world. Social capital is an interesting term to me... the notion that someone can be "rich" in their social world is fascinating. I hadn't considered exactly in such a way until today. As I think about this notion and write, it occurs to me that there are several ways you can build your social capital. Connecting digitally is wonderful and I have a much richer life for, it but it can not replace physically meeting people! Therefore, like the PechaKucha presentation that I did last month I am reaching out again this month to physically connect with new and interesting people. On Sunday I will be joining a wonderfully eclectic group of creatives at Citizen in Worcester MA for the third year of Cirque du Noir. Check out the web site or read all about it here. I highly recommend coming by if you are in the area, it will be worth it! Today's image is a piece I've been working on for a donation to their auction. Hope you like it - I loved making it!

Enjoy!

GOTCHA!

2010-10-19T17:10:00.009-04:00

NOTHING gets your creative mojo pumping again like a great class! Last night was no exception. You know I've been looking for my attitude lately - last night I taught three great ladies at a fantastic new space in Whitinsville. This was my first class at Bela Luce Art Cafe and it was amazing!! The studio was airy and welcoming and the atmosphere was perfect - sound of the waterfall in the background, ambient violin (via CD of course) playing in the foreground and an eclectic creative mix surrounding us! Just the ticket for a bogged down artistic soul.

Like magic, when I woke up this morning I began "seeing" again! You know what I mean - really noticing things around me. Patterns, and smells and sounds that I had been missing for a little while. I know that I've mentioned that I work for an art education publisher, but I don't think I have described what that means. I am the marketing manager for Davis Publications - we create art textbooks and resources for schools grades K-12. A long away around getting to what I wanted to share with you.

Today, as I was looking through items to post on the Davis Facebook page I found this in one of our elementary textbooks - notice the patterns? I've looked at this page for a week and a half and just noticed them today...sigh. Lost my way for a little bit I'm afraid. Doing better now though. Hope you are all doing great too. Enjoy!

Looking for my mojo!

2010-10-17T20:25:00.006-04:00

Maybe it's work, or the house renovations, could it be my bad diet lately or maybe it's just life - whatever it is, I have misplaced my mojo pals! Got any ideas about where it could be hiding or how I can get it back? Need some help on this one.

The good news is that, despite feeling incredibly numb the last couple of weeks, I have been doing a whole lot of drawing in hopes of snapping out of it... Check out the album on the fan page for the little pieces that I've been doing.

As for any big pieces I've been working on, they are all donations - lots of pieces for charity. Here is a spoiler, it isn't done yet but I hope it will give you a little inspiration - maybe you could share some with me. Back to the search friends - enjoy.

What Inspires Us?

2010-09-28T12:01:00.006-04:00

Lately, since I finished my PechaKucha presentation , I've been thinking a lot about what inspires me, mostly because I didn't get to actually talk about the inspiration slide in my presentation. Twenty seconds per slide moves so fast! I had to catch up. BUT, what better place to talk about it than here - right?

What I was going to say in my presentation was the following:

"The best part of Zentangle is that it inspires people who don't believe that they have artistic ability to be artistic. This is an amazing sight to see. It's like they wake up. It happens at every beginner class, usually during the second tile that we do. As artists we know what inspiration feels like and how to channel it. Imagine not knowing what it is or what to do with it the first time you feel artistically inspired! This is what Zentangle has provided many (if not all) of my students. It really is a privilege to witness and I thank them for letting me share in the experience."

Since I have been thinking about this so much the last couple of days "things" about inspiration and that are inspiring keep popping up all around me. I love when this happens, you have to watch for it so you don't miss it. For example, my sister in law emailed me this amazing picture of my nephews and I thought - OMG THEY ARE SO CUTE! THEN, I thought I really am inspired by how happy and carefree they are. They have fun just sitting around in football jerseys. I had to create something and was finally able to start a fantastic project. I can't talk about it though because it's a baby gift for my friend who reads my blog - SORRY EM...no hints!

Then today my new FastCompany Magazine came in the mail and it's the Master's of Design issue!! AWESOME, totally inspiring! Canon, as in the copiers and cameras, is currently running a campaign where they gave several of the top designers in the country a camera and asked them to document what inspires them. Check out the online version of the article here.

This image immediately caught my eye for two reasons - 1) I love Pistachios and 2) these shells have Zentangles all over them! COOL!! The article is worth the five minutes it'll take to ready. Check it out when you get a sec.

I just wanted to say to anyone that was at the presentation Sunday and remind all of my students that inspiration is everywhere!! Above all the input I receive all day, the things that will always inspire me most are ones that I see every day - nature, fabrics, my vast shoe collection and ABOVE ALL ELSE my amazing family (who I would be utterly lost without)! SO, as I would have challenged the attendees of the recent Worcester PechaKucha and as I challenge my students in every class, I challenge you to find inspiration and partake in it every single day. Then use that feeling to CREATE!

Enjoy

PLAY!

2010-09-21T13:33:00.003-04:00

There is the blog/newsletter that I follow and every so often they have an article that really calls to me. This link goes to one of those articles. I've been following its advice, in one form or another, for a very long time. I've even planned and hosted whole Retreats around the idea. Even so, it is still hard for me at times to remember this very important lesson - "To spark and activate our creative side, we must be willing to summon a childlike self with a fearless and unrestricted attitude that allows us to take risks, have fun, be in the moment, and exercise our imaginative spirit."

A very long quote which basically states that we have to give ourselves permission to play and be a little wacky. Sometimes I am really good at that, like when we had our family pictures taken this year and the boys wanted to take the one you see here. LOVE IT! Sometimes I am not so good at it, like in meetings at work - sigh. So, let this post will act as my reminder and permission to myself to play more often and a suggestion to you that you give it a try too. ENJOY!

Finished with a BANG!!

2010-09-17T14:55:00.003-04:00

I got these shoes three months ago - on super sale at Burlington Coat Factory in case you were curious. They are easily the highest heels I have and ONE of the most awsome pairs I own. I took this picture right after I got them but haven't found a way to fit it into anything Zentangle related. UNTIL NOW!! This is the final slide of my PechaKucha presentation. What better way to end a presentation about anything being possible one step/stroke at a time than with the image of learning how to walk in six inch stilettos?

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2010-09-16T23:40:00.004-04:00

You all know that I am preparing to make my 6+ minute Pecha Kucha presentation about Zentangle soon. I was sorting through ideas about how Zentangle and Doodling are NOT the same while organizing a MASS MOUND of paperwork this afternoon. Out of nowhere came this brilliant, if I do say so myself, idea. Create a Wordle of THE Zentangle Blog! Of course I'll show a picture of how they are different but this seemed like pretty powerful illustration too. Notice that the word "doodle" does not appear once.

Inspiring Others

2010-09-12T19:48:00.008-04:00

Today was a good day! You have no idea how nice it is to say that...I have spent a lot of my life not having good days - for a variety of reasons, despite how blessed I am. But, since I've been teaching Zentangle and taking the time I want to be creative and mindful of myself, I am happy to say I am on a pretty solid stretch of good! Yes, the creative and quiet time with myself has helped but I think that meeting new and interesting people on a very regular basis has been as instrumental in my life's paradigm shift.

This is a picture from today's kids class at Ink Paper Scissors. Eleven 10 year old girls have been initiated into the Zentangle ranks. They were so joyful and just plain happy! It was such a refreshing reminder to keep me on my track! SO to thank them, for their joyful energy and for their impeccable behavior, I promised to dedicate this blog to them.

Then, during the class I noticed a gorgeous piece of art on the wall! The picture at the top is it. Last month during an intermediate Zentangle class at the store I mentioned how interesting it would be to do a giant Zentangle on this very cool scrapbook paper that Patty had in her racks. It is a 10x10 square made up of 1" squares. Liz Connoly from Ink Paper Scissors took the challenge and created the most interesting Zentangle by putting a Tangle in each box. I have been dying to do this and I was SO excited to see that someone had been inspired by my suggestion...what a great boost!

ENJOY!

Procrastination!!

2010-09-08T21:27:00.006-04:00

I may have mentioned this before, but since it is the MOST annoying thing about myself that I would LOVE to change, I'll say it again - I'm a horrible procrastinator. I only bring this up now because I am supposed to be working on my PechaKucha Presentation that is due Saturday. Just can't get into it! sigh. Then it hit me! I never shared the finished pendants for my students' daughters with you all. PERFECT distraction! AAANNDD, I do have to keep up with the blog after all - ahha. Seriously though, here they are. It would have been easier to fill the letters with patterns but I didn't want to copy the style of Sandy Bartholomew's letters, as beautiful as they are; so I kept mine airy and light. Can you see the letters? I hope she likes them! I've posted the directions on how to do these pendants on the fan page if you want to try it for yourself - check it out here. ENJOY!

Mini Mehandi Piggy

2010-09-03T21:12:00.003-04:00

We've got a situation brewing at my house this weekend. Boy #1's girlfriend is leaving for college on Sunday and he's not going to see her for quite a while. We are all sad about this! And just feeling crummy about it over all. SO, despite the fact that I meant to create pendants last night for my student's daughter(s), I found myself putting together a little farewell (for now) gift for her. Plus, Zentangling always makes me feel better so that's an added bonus.

A long while ago I posted pictures on the Facebook page of some big piggy banks that I Zentangled to replace ones my kids and husband broke to empty out.
Well, his girlfriend loved them, so I made one for her.

She's a funky, adorable little thing so I got her a funky, adorable little pig and Zentangled it. Hope she likes. If you like it and want to try it out for yourself, you can get these little pigs at Michael's, AC Moore , Jo-Ann Fabrics or try my FAVORITE spot for cool stuff - Oriental
Trading.

Once you've picked your pig, or whatever animal/shape you choose, simply use a Graphic Micron or Sharpie Permanent marker and Tangle away. Since this is meant to sit on a shelf and look pretty I don't bother treating the piece after it is Tangled; but if you are going to Tangle something that is going to be handled a lot, I would shellac the piece once it is done. Have some fun, and as one of my CZT pals says, "Zentangle something, you'll feel better!" Enjoy.

Zentangle for Shelly

2010-09-02T17:42:00.004-04:00

I wanted to share with you all the partner to yesterday's post about Zentagles of healing. This is the one I did for Shelly. I hope that she is staying strong and feeling the love that was infused into this tile and the many others I heard she received.

Tonight I'll be working on a couple of pendants that one of my students asked me to make. What better way to test my theory of energy flow effecting my Zentangle outcome? Keep an eye out tomorrow to see what was created from thinking about how much this woman and her friend love their daughters. Have a great night everyone.

Strength, Courage and Healing

2010-09-01T10:48:00.003-04:00

Being a Zentangle Trainer is much more than spreading the word of Zentangle to the public; it is a commitment to creativity, personal growth and a tight knit community of people just like you. As a trainer I am part of an exclusive club of creatives that have incredibly diverse talents!

I have found that there is a tremendous amount of strength in this "club". Strength in many forms: creative, courage, support, brainstorming the list goes on and on. However, one of the most surprising ideas of strength in this group that I've witnessed is the support that is shown for each other in times of need. Recently, there have been requests made for artistic donations to friends or other Trainers in need of a piece of the power we share. When these requests come through the group, I for one am incredibly compelled to respond. The image above is for MaryAnne. It is filled with positive energy, courage and prayers of healing. I feel like it has a completely different feel to it than my other work. I think I am going to consciously infuse these feelings into all of my future work! I am excited to see how that works. Stay tuned!

And MaryAnne, if you are reading this, the blanket I wrapped you in is covered with Zentangle patterns in warm colors of sunrise! Sending you strength and courage!

STEP ONE - PechaKucha Bio

2010-08-22T22:28:00.008-04:00

Earlier today I talked about a very cool project I am starting. I am presenting at the Worcester PechaKucha next month. Lots to be done, see the earlier post. STEP ONE is done, here is what I came up for my bio. Now to get on with the PowerPoint

Zentangle - The Fine Art of “doodling”

“Well, I guess you would call me... genus, humanus...” Alice a.k.a. Toni Henneman Artist in Wonderland. I’m a great talker, I LOVE to talk… just not about myself. SO, here are just the facts:

The Relevant Stuff –
My name is Toni Henneman. I am a Certified Zentangle Teacher trained by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, founders of the Zentangle art form. And I have been teaching it for almost a year.

The Technical Stuff –
I am the Marketing Manager for Davis Publications. I passionately believe that everyone is an artist and that creativity is everyone’s birthright.

The Fun Stuff –
I have a wonderful husband and two amazing teenage boys. I am a watercolor artist with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. I’m a perfectionist, purple is my favorite color, I collect shoes, dishes and patterns.

The Presentation Stuff -
In terms of Zentangle, “Doodle” is a four letter word. Defined as, "the act of drawing something aimlessly or absent mindedly" doodling could not be further from Zentangle. If you look at any completed Zentangle you will see nothing but "deliberate strokes" purposefully executed to create a beautiful end product. It also happens to be the perfect door for people that do not believe they have any artistic ability. As an artist and strong supporter of art education, I believe it is my responsibility to open that door to as many people as will listen and want to experience the benefits of creating. Educated, trained and working in the field, I am lucky enough to understand the benefits of having art in my life. Zentangle allows everyone - especially those untrained - to understand the benefits of having art in their lives as well. I'm just sharing the wealth!

Zentangle PechaKucha Style

2010-08-22T12:22:00.005-04:00

I am finally going to present at the Worcester PechaKucha night. September 26th 7:20 - 11:20. Of course this one is at the Hanover Theater! Go big or go home right? I am a little queasy at the thought of a hundred or more people listening to me talk about Zentangle...even if it is for only 6 minutes.

Oh, you're probably wondering what PechaKucha is. Check it out here. Basically I have to break down Zentangle theory or process, or one of the many wonderful attributes of Zentangle, and present it using 20 PowerPoint Slides that I can talk about for 20 seconds each. In theory this sounds WAY TOO EASY! However, the more I think about it the harder it becomes and the bigger the lump in my throat gets!

How in the world am I going to do this?
By practicing what I preach of course and taking a page out of my Zentangle notebook...

One Step at a Time! That's how.

Step one: Write a short, intelligent and witty biographical paragraph for their blog. Check back later for the progress on this, I'll post it here for comments later. Wish me luck friends.

Practice Makes Perfect

2010-08-06T23:01:00.004-04:00

Day 3 of Zentangle Master Class Maria taught us a new method, well it was new for me. I had never done calligraphy of any kind, so you can imagine how exicited I was to find out that Maria Thomas was going to teach us how to use a calligraphy pen to do Zentangles. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!! I loved it. I do wish that I had gotten better results though. I actually said, out loud, that I wanted immediate gratification - what am I 12? Why would this technique be any different than when I started Zentangle? Nothing comes without work. So here's today's lesson from Zentangle and "practicing what I preach", PRACTICE, the more you do it the better you get! Hope so, because right now my technique is a hot mess!! I wonder how much practice I am going to need to make the piece on the right look like the piece on the left. Sure is going to be fun finding out.

Zentangle Master Class Day 2

2010-08-04T20:54:00.005-04:00

Today was a tough day - wonderful, creative and so much fun, but tough! We worked on even larger format paper today - the gorgeous paper that wraps the outside of the Zentangle Boxes. The start of mine is pictured here.

I worked on this ALL DAY! ALL DAY and never really fell in love with it. This happens to me periodically when I am overwhelmed or trying too hard. Not sure which was the case today; either way I was not loving what I was doing. I think I hit the wall. The process was as wonderful as ever, but the product just wasn't coming out of me the way it usually does.

I got so discouraged with it I literally gave up on it.

However, being in class with Rick and Maria, you don't just stop working!!! First of all Maria makes sure that you stick with it and second of all you don't want to disappoint them. SO, I kept working it, and working it and working it - added more patterns, added shading and high lights, still nothing.

By chance Maria walked by and held it up to show it to me from a distance. It was upside down. And there it was... the feeling I had been searching for all day - accomplishment and love. AT THAT MOMENT I remember the FIRST thing I tell people that take my class - turn your tile, often, look at your work from a different angle. Sigh, simple rule to follow, apparently though it is hard to remember. So, in the end, what was today's lesson???

Well, take your pick -
1. Don't give up!
2. Work through the difficult spells!!
3. Practice what you preach!!!!!

All good advice. Now to follow it.
;-)

Zentangle Master Class - 2010

2010-08-03T23:18:00.004-04:00

Hey everyone! I am in Newport, alone, with nothing to do but concentrate on creating! I don't know if I have mentioned it here but I've been talking about it a lot on Facebook. This week I've joined some of my fellow CZT's (certified Zentangle Trainers) in Newport, RI for an intensive week of Master Tangling. Curious? I hope so...there are amazing things happening in this group. Check out the Facebook Page, I created a new album with lots of pics. The image posted here is the first project we are working on, Illuminated letters. I was positive I wouldn't be able to do this but lookee there - ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE ONE STROKE AT A TIME! I am so in love with this project! It's not done yet but will be soon, I'll be posting more as the days go by. You can also check out the Zentangle Blog for updates from the couple themselves; Rick and Maria will be posting daily updates as well. That's me in yellow in the front row.

Now, it's nearly midnight and I have an early morning but I wanted to share something Maria showed us this morning. This is a video from the GEL Conference that she and Rick presented at recently. This particular presentation is very inspiringespecially the part about the HMMM moments. This speaker is talking about music specifically but his words translate beautifully to Zentangle and creativity in general. You'll love it! ENJOY!

Let Your Freak Flag Fly!!

2010-07-31T17:35:00.004-04:00

I have always had control issues. Few know this because I "control them". I'm pretty sure "control freak" sums it up. BUT I am realizing something. I am becoming a walking contradiciton! I swear like a sailor - usually when no one is listening. I rarely finish a project before starting a new one, I am a slob in my head, I've stopped matching my underwear to my outfits, and Tequila on the rocks with one lime wedge is my FAVORITE drink. Are these the traits of a control freak? I'm beginning to wonder if I could wake up one day and forget that I have this issue. I have no idea if this is actually possible, but I think maybe that's what is happening.

Here's why:

Take a closer look at that picture up above. Forgive the fact that it was taken WHILE I was driving - more on that in a sec. What I am taking a picture of is the guy driving that huge truck pulling a trailer of horses and motorcycles. He is a BIG guy, all tatted up, with a MONSTER beard smoking a HUGE cigar! Maybe you can see a little bit of that in the pic. What you cannot see very well is this - that foot on the dashboard. It has BRIGHT pink toenails. I swear they are painted with "You're a Pisa Work" by OPI. It's one of my personal faves! Whatever color it is, it's on the toes of a large MAN. Talk about a contradiction!

Random incident or divine intervention? I started thinking about that a 1/2 mile up the road. It was so bizarre that I actually slowed down so that he could catch up to me. I had to get a picture! It didn't occur to me that this was a bad idea until after the pics were taken. NOTHING happened, except that I was jarred out of my head! Had I JUST DONE THAT? And worst of all, did he see me? How could the "control freak" in me allow this to happen?? Long story short - he did see me. He laughed his ass off at me as he passed with a wave and yelled out the window - "LET YOUR FREAK FLAG FLY!"

SO here I am left to wonder, which one? Control or Free Spirit? If I take my own Zentangle advice, I'll LET GO; or as my friend Laura says "letigo". I'll embrace the fact that I am also a "Pisa Work" and get on with finding out exactly what that means! SO I guess I have new "f" word(s) - freak flag! Here's to letting it fly - ENJOY!

Stick with IT!

2010-07-23T13:03:00.008-04:00

I've been sitting on this post for a bit debating if I could stand sharing my embarrassment with you all or not. I think you'll all relate so here goes...

I am famous for trying new stuff...must be the marketer in me. How could this be bad? Well, the down side of it is that I try too much and give up too soon!! Often, If I don't get something right away I put it aside with "I am NOT going to be good at that." I suppose it's a plus that I know this about myself because I can work on it.

For example, I'm not the cook in my house - it's the hubby's passion and hobby and I am happy to let him have it. He is a little heavy handed with bread and cream though so two weeks ago I decided it was time to get back on track with my low carb lifestyle! Rather than bother the hubbs, I decided to take care of it myself. I was in desperate need of muffins but I had no soy flour. Three stores and an hour of looking later I still couldn't find any and decided coconut flour would do. It's low carb, how different could it be? Well, as it turns out, coconut flour is very different. My muffin batter was more like bread dough. The end product? Dry balls of baked dough that resembled rock snowmen I made in Kindergarten. SO DENSE and dry that they float!

YES, as embarrassed as I am to admit it, that's a muffin floating in the lake up there in the picture. How it got there is another whole post. Clearly, baking is not something I am going to be good at.

OR is it? If I take my own advice from my Zentangle lessons, then I know I shouldn't give up. I should relax, breathe and just keep working. When I least expect it everything will fall into place and my final product will be wonderful and exactly what I want.

I taught a wonderful class last night, that is to say THEY were wonderful. Fearless and eager to keep working on the patterns. I haven't had a class quite like they were. No one was anxious about doing it wrong or disappointed with how the Zentangles looked. To them and to everyone else that has taken a Zentangle class or has tried something new - stick with it! It'll just keep getting better!

SO I have re-learned a lesson. Don't give up! Stick with it and don't get discouraged. Guess I am going to have to try to make those muffins again after all. Wish me luck!

Pictures from a GREAT Zentangle Class

2010-07-22T21:59:00.008-04:00

What a wonderful Thursday. Just when I needed it most, I got a fresh infusion creative juice. A rockin' class will do it every time! This post is for my latest batch of Tanglers!@ First, I have to say hello to all of them. Hello to my new friends that may be stopping by my blog! I am so glad that you came! Be sure to check out the Tangles Tab above for some of my own Tangles. I will be adding more shortly! So stop by often. Also, remember to take a look at the Zentangle web page and blog.

Second, I wanted to share with everyone the wonderful Zentangles that were created in class tonight. Everyone did such a fantastic job, these are just beautiful. I am very excited about the next class and I hope to see them all there!

Third, you're all invited to visit me at my Facebook Fan page. There are more images, patterns and inspiration there so stop by, and as always... ENJOY!

When the going gets tough...the tough keep creating!

2010-07-11T11:08:00.012-04:00

Create create create. Even during times when you have a billion "other" things going on...take time to create. Good advice, hard to follow. Business maintenance, as I have fondly termed inventory creation, seems so much more like fabrication than creation. Necessary yes, but I've really had to fight the desire to take a break. But fight I have done! And yes, I have taken a little break ... but I did it!

I finished my latest round of pendants take a look -

The minute I posted them on my Fan page I had requests for information on how to make them. It's so easy and there is really no secret to it so here you go. I'm sharing it with you here. They are also posted on Facebook along with more examples.

As always, I would love to see what you come up with!! ENJOY!

Vacation Work!

2010-07-05T12:47:00.010-04:00

Vacation complete today :-( BUT I did manage to get a ton done!! My front garden is looking great - wish the lily's would bloom though. Because it was SO hot this week I was able to spend much of my days off working in my "studio" - a.k.a. living room. This piece is destined to become 10 new pendants! It's not shaded yet, I'll post what the pendants look like once they are assembled.
While I was on vacation I also worked on my blog - you can now find my growing class schedule on the second page here. Click on "class schedule" at the top of this page. Check back often, there are more classes coming! You may also access all of MY patterns here as well on the third page here. Click on "patterns" at the top of this page... again, check back often for new patterns.

Last, I promised you patterns ... This one came from my friend Vicki's shop The Stitcher's Academy. It is a pattern that is stitched into one of the beautiful quilts she has hanging on her shop walls.

Which is why I call it QLT. ENJOY!!

VACATION Patterns!!

2010-07-01T09:10:00.007-04:00

I feel badly that I don't have any deep meaningful creative wisdom to accompany my new pattern this week but it's vacation for me. Vacation is easily the best week - or WEEKS, if you are lucky - of any year. I have another next month to go to the Zentangle master class but that's a little mini "work" related vacation. I LOVE vacation because everything is so much clearer during vacation.

For example, this is one of my favorite dresses! I love the pattern. It only occurred to me yesterday that this pattern would make a cool Tangle. I'm blaming "busy life syndrome", which is cured by vacation - THANKFULLY!

Here is my Dress inspired pattern. ENJOY!

Pattern Hunting Results for the week!

2010-06-25T22:10:00.003-04:00

How many patterns did you notice this week? Did you see any that you thought may make good tangles? Don't worry if you didn't translate them, did you notice them?

Here is one that I noticed. It was hard to miss actually! It's the pattern on my new bag ... so I see it every day. I've spent all week thinking about how to create a pattern that can be repetitive and soothing to do. So far, no luck.

So, I'm turning it out to my pals in the blogosphere - what do you guys think? How would you translate this?? Post a link if you want to share. I would love to know your ideas! In the meantime - wishing you a fantastic Friday night and an even better weekend.
Enjoy.

Patterns Patterns Patterns

2010-06-19T19:22:00.006-04:00

I say it in every class I teach ...you start to Zentangle, get hooked and then begin noticing patterns. Inevitably you will be dissecting patterns and rebuilding them into your own line art before you know it. I see patterns EVERYWHERE EVERYDAY, honestly it gets overwhelming. You don't realize it but just because it's a pattern doesn't necessarily mean it will translate into a usable pattern easily. Instead of trying to sketch every pattern that tickles my eyes I started taking photos of them! It has worked perfectly....

This weekend I finally managed to start converting my hundreds of photos into line art. I'm not going to share them all with you today... BUT I PROMISE to share them all with you!! Today, I am sharing this one, inspired by the curtain in the Stitcher's Academy. If you look at the picture at the beginning of this post you'll see that Vicki has some unbelievably beautiful fabric throughout her studio. What a great place for inspiration.

I decided to use my new pattern, DOT in my fun new paper doll project. Click on the girl to see the collection SO FAR.

Here is the pattern all alone:

Keep your eyes open! I guarantee that you will be surprised how many patterns are around you! Enjoy!

In Defense of "Doodling"?

2010-06-11T13:29:00.002-04:00

Recently I have found myself in defense of my passion for Zentangle. "IF you are an artist WHY are you spending your time doodling?" I know, I honestly have a hard time believing it. So, I am going to take some time here to comment in public.

First, there's no IF - I'm an artist by definition, education and training.

Second, doodling is defined as, "the act of drawing something aimlessly or absent mindedly." Those of you that have taken any Zentangle class - not just mine - understand that the process of creating a Zentangle could not be further from "drawing something aimlessly". Look at any completed Zentangle and you will see nothing but "deliberate strokes" purposefully executed to create a beautiful end product. More often than I show here, I use Zentangle as an embellishment to my other passion, watercolor painting. It is also happens to be the perfect door for people that do not believe they have any artistic ability. As an artist and an advocate and strong supporter of art education, I believe it is my responsibility to open that door to as many people as will listen and have a desire to experience the benefits of creating.

If you have experienced Zentangle you understand that it DOES in fact have something in common with that four letter word "doodling". Both are beneficial because of the process. Here is a very cool article I found in defense of doodling. No question the process has positive effects.

However, there is one BIG difference between the two - the end product. End product not just meaning the beautiful art that Zentangle creates- unlike doodling- but also the feeling of accomplishment and success doing a Zentangle produces - unlike doodling. This is illustrated best in the adult classes that I teach. I have learned that adults are firmly set in their thoughts about whether they are or are not an artist. Many of my students start off skeptical of what they are going to accomplish in a Zentangle class, believing there is no way they will produce a beautiful piece of art. By the end of the class ALL of these students are THRILLED at what they manage to create. They are relaxed, focused and eager to continue and learn more.

Often times my students immediately register for the next class and all of those that attend bring back amazing work created on their own. Not Bic pen in a notebook, or pencil in the margins of a meeting agenda but framed compositions, journals, greeting cards or needlepoint and quilted items. Items that they are proud to show and happy to have gone through the process of creating.

Therefore, to answer the question on some people's minds - why do I spend my time Zentangling? Because it is relaxing, fun, and beautiful. Educated, trained and working in the field, I am lucky enough to understand these as benefits of having art in my life. Zentangle allows everyone - especially those untrained - to understand the benefits of having art in their lives as well. I'm just sharing the wealth! Enjoy.

Hard Work and Hidden Treasures

2010-06-04T13:09:00.013-04:00

Here it is, Saturday night and I am just getting back to the post I started on Thursday afternoon which I eluded to in Tuesday's post and is all about what I did LAST SATURDAY afternoon. How's about THAT timeline...heehee. Here's a reminder, Tuesday I talked about how hard I worked in my gardens last weekend and what I noticed.

Take a look:

After
Before

I know, doesn't look like much. That's because I am only showing you my window boxes and the wagon. That's where I planted the subject of this post. It is going to look wonderful once the flowers start to grow. Anyway, here is what I noticed:

Do you notice it? YUP, my new flowers match my new favorite Tangle from Totally Tangled, Flora...below is a closeup of which Tangle that is.

It's the big flowers - LOVE IT!

Which came first the Tangle or the Flower? Well, for me it was the Tangle. I've been using it in everything lately. It honestly could be why I spotted the blooms at my local plant stand in the first place. So, there you have it, there's always hidden treasures to be found! Go find some- it's all in the detail.

And we're back!

2010-06-01T17:59:00.009-04:00

UGH! Three day weekends need to last longer! Memorial Day was an action packed weekend for me! In addition to the million hours of planting and yard work I accomplished - more on that later, you won't believe what I noticed...sorry can't spoil it - I also managed to get the following done for the students of my last class at the Scrapbook Cupboard:

Here it is ladies - the finished product of Hollibaugh as a String used in a finished Zentangle AND the instructions.

Instructions

In addition, here is your bonus for the day!! Sandy Steen Bartholomew over at Beez in the Belfry gave me permission to post one of her Tangles from her new book Totally Tangled. I showed this one in class but it was a little confusing, hope that this helps.

I am so sorry it took so long! Enjoy it and please post your pictures on the Fan Page or send me a link at tandehenneman@charter.net so I can see how great you are all doing with this! Hope to see you all very soon!

2010-05-25T14:09:00.013-04:00

THIS is my favorite time of this season - Fall is actually my favorite season - but this time in Spring is wonderful too. When I left my house this morning all I could smell were the grape vines blooming in the back yard. No, they don't actually get flowers on them, but this is when the leaves start unfolding from the vines and that awesome smell of green grapes starts! LOVE IT!! With the "blooming" and maturing of our grape vines this year, my back yard is becoming a new space for me, I'm not much on the great outdoors but my back yard is finally becoming a space that represents the best version of the outdoors for me. Maturing gardens, new grass, close to coffee and a bathroom, comfortable chairs and a radio!

This got me to thinking on my way into work today... how many spaces do I have? Where are the spaces I am most creative? And does each space reflect me so that I can be the best in it? Space is a big thing with me in my life and my art. But I realized this morning I really don't have many spaces in my life. It just isn't good for me to be spread too thin. My art on the other hand is all about spaces! The more the better - especially small fractions of big spaces. I love to work on subjects that people don't pay close attention to. But they would be surprised if they did. Because I make it a point to root where I decide to be - notice the reference to my gardens :-) - I realized how important it is that my spaces reflect me. And I think that they do:

I want to be cozy, comfortable and feel good and safe! Like my home space:

I need order and neatness to be productive! Like in my work space:

I want to fill the people in my life with inspiration and energy, especially when I teach. Like the great spot where I'll be doing my classes:

Stitcher's Academy

So there you have it. Me, as seen through the lens of the spaces I inhabit. Hope you find comfort, joy, inspiration and energy in your spaces too!

Back to Basics!

2010-05-24T14:40:00.010-04:00

Good afternoon everyone! I can't tell you how refreshed I feel. How can that be you ask? Isn't it Monday? YES IT IS and the answer to the first question is simple - I unplugged this weekend. I spent Saturday and Sunday actually creating art instead of talking about it. Don't get be wrong, I LOVE talking about creating art. And as part of my promise to myself this year, I create art EVERY DAY. I taught three classes this weekend and found myself telling everyone how important it was to dial down and check out. SO I followed my own advice!

Why? Because if I am being honest then I have to admit that lately, sometimes I hurry up my creating so that I can talk about it - here, at my classes, on Facebook. That defeats the purpose of creating all together wouldn't you agree? SO, this weekend I decided to take my time and remember how good it feels to create for the sake of creating! I started two new projects that I am incredibly excited about (stay tuned for updates on what that is all about). I got back to the basics - my sketchbook, paintbrush, a 4x4 tile, a black micron pen, and patterns. Here are just two of what I was able to accomplish during my time off the grid.

*framed because they turned into gifts!

Plus here's a bonus. A new Tangle that I found on a new friend's blog - check it out No Matter Where I Go I Always Meet Myself There. LOVE THE NAME and the Blog is great too!!

Tangle: Struzzle - very cool Jo!

Stars, Tangles and Cows?

2010-05-14T09:56:00.013-04:00

It seems every time I stop for half a second this week I realize that I need to slow down and simplify. I know that I've said this before but apparently this concept just isn't sticking. I can't believe how easily I get swept up into my busy, full and complicated life. So, while drinking my coffee this morning I took some time to read one of my favorite blogs. It turned out to be the beautifully written, not so subtle reminder that I needed to slow down. It's was a call to pay closer attention to what's around me; in order to do this I need to simplify. See the vicious circle? I really need to try harder so as not to miss so much. It's a short post, I encourage you to take a second and read it: Dirty Footprints

Oddly enough, when I sat down to finish this post tonight I read another of my favorite blogs:
Mildly Creative . This post is all about keeping it simple. So I say okay ... O.K. I GET IT universe. I hear ya Connie, I hear you Ken!

Therefore, in the spirit of slowing it down, keeping it simple and paying attention (and as proof of what I am talking about) here are just a few of the things that I see every day and have missed completely in my hustle and bustle.

I've had this CD in my truck for two months and listen to it at least three times a week. Click on the image to get a closer look, it is COVERED with Zentangles. Even from this size I can tell you right off the bat that I see "Inspiral" and "Printemps". Never realized it.

I look at textbooks FILLED with fine art all day - Monday through Friday. It's what I do for a living, it's part of my passion and it's part of who I am. It is so interesting for me to look at art and appreciate it for what it is, what it means, how old it is or how it

makes me feel.

It's amazing to me that I look at pictures every day and notice little of the actual composition - in spite of my training and education. This picture is an example of what I mean. I've been looking at this picture for days, and what did I see today? The Tangle "Amaze".

So, here's what it all boils down to - I have bet my kids since they were little boys that they see a cow everyday. Despite how many times I have won this bet they fight me tooth and nail about it. I haven't thought of this game in a while - sadly. THEN, I went out at lunch today to buy new shoes. These are the shoes I got. Guess what I didn't notice - until dinner tonight as I was thinking through how to wrap this up? They're cows. So, like the stars in Connie's post and the cows on my feet, what are you missing in the hustle and bustle of your day? What do you see every day and miss? Maybe you could use some simplicity too! ENJOY!

Simplify?

2010-05-13T08:54:00.007-04:00

When I started this little blog o' mine I did it with the intent of keeping it simple. I think maybe I need to look a little deeper into myself because I am not sure that I am quite capable of simplicity. Well, maybe I am capable but I certainly need to work on it some more - ahhaha. Funny thing is simplicity is really a misconception - it isn't easy. We are just (or at least me) built to make thing complicated I think.

I started out this week with the intention of redesigning the header for my blog - JUST a new header, how hard could that be? Here it is, Thursday, and I am finally done with that! I thought I was a pretty decisive person but I guess that is only in matters of work, because when it comes to my stuff I can't make a decision to save my soul. TOO many options.

For those of you reading this from my Facebook page, I invite you to come over to the blog and take a look at the new look. I think I finally managed to SIMPLIFY it. Therefore, in the interest of simplicity I am keeping this short today.

I found this awesome Tangle that I want to share with you. I can't take credit for it though, it is by Jo Nessham. They were posted by a cyber friend of mine, Molossus.

Check out her blog Life Imitates Doodles . And check out the other Tangles while you are there, there are some very creative people linked in.

That's it for now friends. Time to go home and be Mom! ENJOY!

To Cut or Not to Cut - THAT is the Question!

2010-05-11T16:08:00.015-04:00

Okay, so last night I worked some more on my huge Zentangle - though if you saw Rick and Maria's post yesterday morning on THE Zentangle Blog, my piece really isn't so huge after all. Can you believe someone did a 3 FOOT by 6 FOOT Zentangle?? WOW. Makes 11x17 seem like one of the 3.5x3.5 tiles - my new goal is to get to one that big by the end of the year!!!

AAANNNYYYWWWAAAYY, as I was saying, I was working on mine last night and made some unbelievable progress! Continuing to be inspired by my new Book Totally Tangled by Sandy Bartholomew AND the Duck Tape prom dress that Vicki over at the Stitcher's Academy is working on with the Designer I added some Zendala's - that's what a round Zentangle is called, see the image above. I made so much great progress on it that now I don't know whether to leave it whole or cut it up and use it for pendants and magnets like I was going to do originally.... DILEMMA!!! I hate those.

What do you think? CUT or DON'T CUT?

Either way I wanted to share it with you all ....

It'll be done this weekend. I am going to work on it while I am at the Open Studio day at the Sprinkler Factory. Come by and see me if you are in the area, Ill be at the Stitcher's Academy.

Until then, as always, ENJOY!

Progress and Inspiration

2010-05-10T08:37:00.007-04:00

Good afternoon everyone! I have made some great progress on my 11x17 Zentangle. If you follow me on Facebook you know what I am talking about. Take a look, here is the proof of life - ALMOST DONE. I can't even tell you how long this thing is taking, I've been at it for two weeks, sure I had other projects working along the way, but I am still so surprised that this one has turned out to take SO MUCH longer than I thought it would! I have to be honest, this little project of mine had stalled for more than a few days. I just couldn't get into it. How then have I gotten to this point in the process you ask? Finally over the creative hump so to say?

I also have to give credit where it is due!!! My creative juice was pretty dry until my new books from Sandy at Beez Ink came in. This book, Totally Tangled, is AWSOME! It was just what I needed to plow through this piece. So much great information/inspiration and so playfully displayed! I can't wait to get back to work on the last bits I have to do...there are a bunch of new Tangles I am dying to try.

Who knows, maybe it would have been more fun and easier to accomplish if I didn't know that I was just going to chop it up into pieces once it was done? Hind sight is 20/20 after all. Either way, check out Sandy's new book and get yourself even more addicted to this great process. 'Til next time, ENJOY!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T18:44:00.009-04:00

Next to Christmas and birthdays, Mother's Day is my favorite day of the year - and not just because I am a mother! I believe it is as much a day of appreciating your family as it is appreciating Mom. As a mother, I use this day to remind my family how important they are to me. I take the down time I get and reflect on what an important role I play in their lives. Am I being the best Mom that I can? Are they doing as well as I hoped they would growing up? Then, we spend the day together - eating, laughing, and just enjoying each other.

During my business trip to Baltimore a few weeks ago I was talking with one of the Rock Star Art Teachers that I know, hi Tricia, and she asked about the picture that I use as my Facebook Profile picture. I shared with her the story of that picture and she inspired me to tell all of you!

In my family, it is important that we all know how much we appreciate each other. We honestly enjoy each other, as family and as friends! We are our favorite people. I carry them with me everywhere, not only in my heart but on my back. I designed a tattoo for each of them and with the help of my incredibly talented tattoo artist - Pete Fortune - tattooed each one of them on my back to be with me all the time. That's them in the picture above. If you look closely you'll see their names in the wings of the butterflies and the Dragonfly. I have another tattoo on my leg for my brother, but that story is for another day.

The picture on my Facebook profile? That's me! My husband had a 1940's pinup designed of me by his very talented tattoo artist, Tim Harris. He also has us included in a banner tattooed on his arm that tells his life story in I Ching symbols. So, there you have it, that's how committed we are to each other...enough to be etched in flesh.

In honor of my commitment to be creative every day and my family I give you this weeks Tangle, put together by my most precious creation on the planet, my son Cameron. He has sat through hours of Zentangling and sketching and been my sounding board for his entire life...poor kid.

Here is the Tangle he created:

Bamo

and here is how to draw this tangle

ENJOY! Happy Mother's Day and have a great week!

E-U a brand nEU Tangle

2010-04-29T20:33:00.010-04:00

I’ve been doing home parties lately and I love them!!! They are a little more casual than doing lessons in a classroom style setting. People kick back and seem to relax faster, which is a great thing when you are doing Zentangles.

My first party was actually at my house which I think was a little too casual - it was the longest party I had ever been to, never mind teach.

Seems it was a good class because my good friend Rob Marin went home and immediately created the Zentangle that you see here. In this Zentangle he even included a Tangle he created on his own.

I knew he was talented, but this is exceptional! What a beautiful pattern - except he thought it looked a lot like a certain kind of gross bug - hence the name EU, a.k.a. EEEWW. I think it looks like a carnation. Either way it makes a GREAT pattern - so much so that I am including it here with his permission. However, caution, where most patterns look harder than they really are, this little pattern is deceptively easy. Take it easy and draw your lines deliberately. AND...if you want a home party of your own, give me a call!

ENJOY

2010-04-26T19:54:00.020-04:00

Well, I have been promising and promising these great new Tangles that I found at the National Art Educators conference, and I am here today to deliver...

This conference that I attend / work every year has so much inspiration! Especially on the exhibition floor where I spend the week. This year there were a couple of jewelry displays that had some pretty amazing items. This is what inspired the Tangles I am posting tonight. I have a couple more but I am going to save those for later this week - "House" is on and I need to spend some quality time on the love-seat with my wonderful husband, I knew you'd understand.

I'd love to see how you use these. Feel free to post your images to the Artist in Wonderla nd Fan Page or email them to me and I'll post them for you! ENJOY!

AGESTRA - a.k.a. Agate Strands

AMBER LEAF

Bonus - Glad to be Back

2010-04-25T15:29:00.013-04:00

No need to bore you with all of the details to why I haven't visited my own blog lately - it has been such a wonderfully busy month. Months of preparation have finally paid off and a successful 2010 NAEA (National Art Education Association) conference has come and gone. I've been talking about it a lot on Facebook but I wanted to share it here as well.

Over 4,000 Art Educators descended onto Baltimore, MD for a well deserved week of inspiration, education and validation! For my coworkers and I it was a week of wining (or is it whining?), dining, and networking. The national conference is much like a wedding - months of preparation and it's over before you blink your eyes.

So, there is the super short version of why I mysteriously disappeared. I'm back now, and I have some wonderful stuff to share with you!

However, because I used VERY HARD tangles in my Advanced Class on Friday, the first thing I promised to share here upon my return was the breakdown of those tangles. SO ... BONUS for you, below you will find the five tangles I promised my class - ENJOY! Happy Tangling!

Finished Zentangle

Tangle Breakdowns:
Click on the images to see the originals

Thank you Rick and Maria!

2010-03-30T20:32:00.003-04:00

I made the Zentangle Newsletter!! I cannot believe it, what a GREAT surprise. My "Hearts for the Arts" heart was posted today! SO.... I dedicate this post to Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas for introducing me to the wonderful art form - Zentangle.

On Saturday I made the decision to send positivity out into the Universe to see what would happen. I chose the seagull picture that my husband took last summer to symbolize this - isn't it beautiful?

At the time, I made this proclamation tongue in cheek. But later I thought - "What the heck, it's positivity, it can't hurt." And yesterday there I was floating on cloud 9 - if you follow my Facebook page you already know this. If you do not here is the Reader's Digest version:

My husband lost his job in February. This past Friday he got a new one...yes, that is right - one month out of work. What an achievement!!
Yesterday my youngest son was accepted into the high school he applied to! HUGE achievement....VERY PROUD
Tonight my older son invited his girlfriend over for dinner - which is huge in its own right - he NEVER does that

Last night I said that I couldn't be happier about all the wonderful things that were happening to me! I dared to say the "realistic" cord in me that I am so well known for softened - maybe even more than a little. For the first time in a very long time I felt optimistic. Then today, I opened my email to find I am in the Zentangle Newsletter - THANK YOU RICK and MARIA.

I concede, there REALLY is something to be said about not only having a positive attitude, but ALSO sending it out there into the universe! Try it out, I dare you.

The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.

2010-03-29T19:35:00.004-04:00

Missed the Hearts for the Arts auction! I was so sad, but it was for a good reason. I taught eight new wonderful ladies how to Zentangle. I hadn't had a beginner class in a quite a while, it was a lot of fun...just what I needed to get geared up for my two upcoming ADVANCED classes at The Scrapbook Cupboard. Then on Saturday with a small change of plans, I ended up hosting a tiny class at my house with two great friends and my oldest son (that's his Zentangle over there).

This was the longest class I have ever had - but it was SO MUCH FUN.

It's amazing to me how the world works, or at least my world. I think I said 10 times during those classes not to worry about making mistakes! Look at mistakes as little gifts, because in Zentangle there is no such thing as a mistake, it's simply a road to a something you didn't know you meant to do.

Then, just now, I sat down to catch up on reading my blogs and what do i find???? THIS from Rick and Maria. Check it out, you're are going to love it, a post about using mistakes... go figure.
Of course it takes courage to think of mistakes as gifts. But I say we all need to know just how courageous we can be and there's no safer way to find out than to take a chance while Zentangling.

GO FOR IT!

I am a Heartist!

2010-03-23T10:03:00.006-04:00

My donation for the Hearts for the Arts fundraiser is complete, delivered and waiting to move to its new home. I've been talking about this project for over a month, and working on it for that long too. I am pleased to proclaim it is done!!! I've shared the pictures on my Facebook page but if you haven't gone over there I wanted to share them here too.

I loved this project!! I got to use all my favorite Tangles, found a new favorite and got to share some Tangles from friends of mine. "Punch" by Sandy Bartholomew and "Shrock" by Diane LaChance, both fellow CZTs. If you are a Tangler yourself, use these two. They are so much fun.

I won't lie, I am a little intimidated by the competition - not that it is a competition. It isn't at all, but honestly, as an artist I find that I do a lot of silent competing...trying to be as good as my peers. It was tough dropping this off. The other hearts were amazing! I hope that the Arts Departments for Worcester Public Schools gets a bundle of cash from them!

You can see all of the Hearts on the Worcester Public Schools website. Check them out - SO MUCH TALENT!

OH WHAT A NIGHT...

2010-03-13T11:09:00.007-05:00

I have two kids but I have to tell you...I do not remember 5th grade being so rambunctious! Last night was my first "big group" class with little kids. I can't believe how much energy they had at 7:00 at night! WOW!

It was SO MUCH FUN!!! But ... what a challenge!

I have to give even more credit to all of the art teachers I know - which is many in my business. They have amazing capacity for patience and creativity. I was very very glad to have had the aid of the lesson plan on Zentangle.com - click here if you are interested in what that is.

The kids really responded to it - even the boys, though they wouldn't admit it. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they wanted to do the more challenging Tangles.

This is the design that I did - but it was "Way to easy" for them:

So in the second class I did this one:

And the ladies loved it!
SO my first jaunt into the realm of kids - SUCCESS!

A LITTLE bit of digging A LOT of treasure

2010-03-11T09:21:00.007-05:00

Today I thought I would mix things up a bit and share with you OTHER places to check out for Zentangle information and inspiration.

Last night, after dinner, I decided it was time to trade the pen and paint brushes for another form of creativity - research. RESEARCH you ask? YES! It was fun research read on ....

I plopped down in my favorite spot of my favorite room and settled in for some quality time with my laptop and Snuggie (and American Idol, I admit it).

Instead of Googling my name, I Googled Zentangle. I know you won't believe this but I had NEVER done this. I never had to. I live three minutes from the creators - Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. All of my instruction has come from them and I've got a pretty great idea book and inspiration network. I knew that there was a lot of video about it on YouTube but imagine how surprised I was to find 119,000 pages and 10,600 images that refer to Zentangle.

I spent a long time reading, watching and admiring what others are doing out there. Some of my favorites are Blogs (a few that I have been following are listed here in the margin) but I found a lot of new stuff last night that are new favorites.

I did the digging - hope you enjoy the treasure:

1. Zentangle Flickr photostream

2. Beez in the Belfry

7. Zendala
8. Squidoo

I know that there are so many more but it's overwhelming and impossible to keep track of - you'll see what I mean when you get into it!!!

Look whose blogging now and other new "stuff"

2010-03-08T22:15:00.005-05:00

So, I finally caught up with all my emails tonight, AND look what I found - Rick and Maria from Zentangle are blogging now - excellent! I highly encourage you all to check it out here - Zentangle Blog - and find out about all the inside bits! There is fantastic "stuff" posted there already in its first two weeks. I guarantee you'll love it!!!

As for me?? I have had quite the busy two weeks myself experimenting with different materials to Zentangle on. I've actually been practicing - I am currently in the process of embellishing a wooden heart for a fundraiser that the Worcester Public Schools is holding - Hearts for the Arts. This event will raise money to support the Arts and Other Educational Programs in the Worcester Public Schools. I have to tell you though, I'm a little intimidated by this giant piece of wood. They said embellish a heart and I thought "a little wood heart, how cute". NOT SO! This heart is huge! I've practiced on every spare piece of wood I could find - wood eggs (for Easter), wooden napkin rings (also to be used for Easter), scraps of wood blocks from construction of my new bathroom and these:

A small wood box and a frame. Pretty sure I am ready to try the real thing now. I'll keep you updated on my progress. I'm pretty excited about it now - those Micron pens will work on anything!

I don't want you to think that I haven't been on the pattern hunt - I have. Here are a few that I've been playing around with ... they aren't done yet but this will give you an idea of where I am going.

The bubble one came from a long day of doing dishes - you guessed it, I'm the dishwasher in my house. That was a long day of cooking and cleaning - phew. The black plant-like one is part of the lace on my bedroom curtains and the funny looking one on the bottom left is part of a larger design I am working on for my "Heart for the arts".

I am always surprised at how easy it is to find patterns. It's a game for me, like those
I SPY picture books that you do with the kids. I have had a ton of luck in the typical places - home, yard, architecture, books, textiles. What about you? Got any great ideas that I haven't tried? I would love to know where your favorite place to hunt for patterns is.
Hope you are all doing great out there! Happy hunting.

Weekly thoughts from the Rookie!

2010-02-20T11:30:00.002-05:00

Hey all! Last night was my second amazing beginner class at the Scrapbook Cupboard in Bridgewater. Another 12 ladies survived their first intensive Zentangle boot-camp and they did wonderfully! I wanted to start this post out by saying hi to all of them and letting them know how great they did. I am so excited that I'll be seeing you again in March!

Now onto my thoughts for the week...

Lot's of "AAAHH HA" moments this week. This is one of two posts I have planned about those moments but it was too important include with the other. SO, BONUS! I finally manage to get TWO posts out in one week!

I need to remind myself that I am still a ROOKIE!!! Which brings me to my point.

During my very important 2010 Davis Marketing planning meeting we were discussing the creation of a new blog for our editor of SchoolArts Magazine. A lengthy discussion began about the look, the timing, the content and how important it would be for the blog's "editorial" schedule to fit into Nancy's already packed schedule - teacher, editor, advocate and now blogger! Would she have time to respond to comments that came into her blog? Of course the answer was yes!

But I nearly choked on my Dirty Chai Latte - for those of you that are not Starbucks Junkies, HERE is an amusing description of what this is, aside from AWSOME that is. Are you wondering why I have such a visceral reaction to Nancy's time management challenge? WELL because I have not responded to one comment on my Blog. DO I EVEN HAVE ANY?

Needless to say I am embarrassed, horrified at first, but there is that "rookie" status again. After the meeting finally ended I RAN to my office to find that I did indeed have some comments that I did not respond to :-(.

Please accept my apologies, I am very vigilant now AND schooled on proper blogging etiquette. Have a great Saturday!

"Inspired By" vs. "Borrowed From"

2010-02-20T10:59:00.016-05:00

Happy Sunday!

This is my second favorite day of the week, especially after a vacation day on Friday. I feel so well rested and connected to myself. This is when I do my best work. You know how you get when you run run run? You start to feel like you are in a thousand places. That's when I feel like the creativity is just sucked out of me. Well not today, or most any Sunday really. Sundays are all about me, my husband and my creativity.

I wanted to post this much earlier in the week since I was inspired to write about it on TUESDAY. It's an amusing story - it happened at exactly the same time that I realized I hadn't ever checked my blog for reader comments - I covered that yesterday. Why is that amusing? Have you ever been horror stuck and thoroughly inspired at exactly the same time? It's funny in an "UH OH! what do I do first?" kind of way.

Anyway, here's "the rest of the story".

Tuesday morning I was sitting in a planning meeting and "doodling" away on my agenda as we discussed marketing plans for 2010 - going to be a very creative year at Davis by the way! Suddenly, I realize that I have created this incredibly cool little pattern. I have no idea where it came from! I certainly wasn't thinking about checkers or chess and no one was wearing a checker board pattern. Yet here it was - seemingly from my subconscious. I was pretty impressed that I made up such a cool design.

Fast forward an hour, I was making my way back to my office when I noticed a print that we have hanging in the office by Patricia Renick ("renowned sculptor, impassioned advocate for women in the arts, and gifted teacher"). I must walk by this print 100 times a day, but this day I had patterns on my mind. That's when I realized where my cool little design came from. Of course it was cool - it was the entire right corner of this particular print. Sigh, what a let down. I realized that I am not the pattern genius I thought I was. I cannot use this pattern, it's directly from the Renik print; that would be like not using quotes when you use an author's words. There is no such thing as borrowing when you are dealing with copyrighted material OR artworks. Back to the chalkboard - or Hand Book sketchbook in my case - to create something new.

Fast forward five hours, I was home and in my corner of the living room - a.k.a. my studio - trying to hammer out this new pattern. But the checkerboard was lodged in my head. There was just something there that I couldn't leave alone, how could I use this print that had inspired me so? This is not a problem I often have to deal with in my own art, I am a painter. I paint what I see, there's no copyright on flowers.

I stuck with it, I couldn't bring myself to let it go. I was determined not to let my inspiration be wasted. I played with this pattern for two days and finally feel like I have created something truly "inspired by" as opposed to "borrowed from" the print that hangs in the hall at work. I'm pretty sure I still like it, it definitely feels a lot more original than what I started with that's for sure and that alone makes this whole exercise worth while for me!

You know, I can't say that I truly believe that there are NO original ideas left. I can attest to the fact that it takes work to be creative and original and sometimes it's hard. I believe that sometimes people don't stick with the creative process long enough to make an idea their own. This is when there's trouble because a lot of people get themselves into hot water for using ideas that are not their own or for borrowing someone's concept too closely. Personally, I want to believe that all ideas have some originality, even those inspired by others, sometimes they just aren't fully realized.

This is the important part! We never know what will inspire us or when it will happen so we have to keep our eyes open all the time. Creativity is hard, we have to use everything we can to keep it fresh and flowing. However, we have an obligation to be careful not to borrow anything and to take as much time as we need to to make any idea fully ours.

We'll never know how much better it could become if we don't just stick with it.

Don't be fooled!

2010-02-13T16:20:00.012-05:00

Oh my gosh, it's Valentine's Day! Can't believe it didn't occur to me to do a lovey dovey post today - sigh. Still going to enjoy it though - Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

This was a marathon week for Mrs. Henneman (no one ever calls me that so I have to throw it out there every now and again to believe it is actually true). In my 9-5 life it was training and planning week for our new Canadian sales team and that meant LOTS of meetings!! Which always means more coffee than I should be drinking and too much talk talk talk.

Now, I understand the necessity of meetings and the importance of them too - BUT does that mean I have to like them? I don't think so. I always feel like the work load is physically growing while I am sitting in the conference room TALKING about what needs to get done. This in turn builds tension and then I chance getting overwhelmed - NOT GOOD! But I am certain I have figured out the solution to this problem - at least MY solution.

Zentangles. They keep me on task and the creative juices flowing! People not "in the know" would call this doodling. Rick and Maria, the founders of Zentangle, would be horrified to hear this beautiful art form described as such, but not everyone can be "in the know".

I've mentioned before that I am lucky enough to work in a very creative environment and that means that there is A LOT of open communication and "out of the box" ways of doing just about everything. Except meetings - but to be fair, how much fun can a meeting really be? How creative and "out of the box" can a meeting get? They serve a purpose and that's that. Funny thing is I forget that not everyone feels this way. Some people enjoy meetings and not everyone works for a company as creatively and open as I do. Sad but true.Well, this week there were three solid days of meeting and I am thrilled to say that they were productive and -for me- very creative.

It is not an unfamiliar site to see "doodling" during our meetings. It's actually encouraged due to the nature of our work - marketing art education. However, this may have been a little much for our new sales team-mates to take in. I lost count of how many comments were made about creative types, short attention spans, playing, and doodling. I understand that not everyone works this way or understands the benefits of the creative process while exchanging information. It's all good, there was no harm intended and sales doesn't attract the most creative people to begin with. It makes sense that they wouldn't understand our process. But, there is plenty of proof about the benefits of art and how it impacts comprehension and understanding.

"Doodling" is no different, it helps you concentrate and focus, it helps keep the creativity fresh and right at the top of the brain - which is very helpful when you are dealing with art (and marketing). Just because it looks like we aren't in the conversation or keeping up - we "creative types" are with ya. We get it! We're always paying attention and usually a step or two ahead. Don't be fooled!

Checking My Attitude!

2010-02-07T21:51:00.009-05:00

I am beginning my 30 day journey to building a better blog! Okay, i'll be honest, I started it over two weeks ago but the earth opened up again and I have been wrestling with life, and a bad attitude. Haven't I figured out how to get over a bad attitude already??? I feel like I've been in a Kamora for a week now, ( personal note: I'm a huge fan of the UFC). What does any of this have to do with my blog? Well, one of the first rules of building a better blog is to only write when you feel passionately about something.

For the last couple of weeks my wonderful life has been plagued with some hiccups. Not knowing how to keep those hiccups, which I felt very passionately about, out of my writing, I took last week off. But here I am now, writing about it anyway - weeeelllll, not quite. What I am really writing about now is the great lady I met at the craft show I worked at on Saturday. But the way there is going to be a little windy - stick with me.

Here we go ...

My husband had a very important job at a very big printing company. Yes, you read that right, "had". We'd been very lucky during this economic crisis. We've been sheltered working for LONG established family companies. I admit it, I got a little relaxed. Then, right after the new year he had to let go of 20 workers. I was told, "Don't worry this will free up the cash that they need to keep the business solvent." Then, two weeks later another 40 people were asked to leave. This eliminated his entire department. With no operations to manage his job was soon eliminated too; but not before the stereotypical exploitation of skill and mind games were played.

Insert creativity here because, as hokey as it sounds, that is what helped me keep my cool over the last couple weeks. Thankfully, I had to prepare for the CMRD Craft Show. I didn't have a whole lot of time to obsess about the hubs loosing his job. I made 50 fabulous Zentangle pendants, a million cards, and twenty matted prints. Busy, busy, busy - no time for worrying or crying. Then, Saturday ... my first craft show. My table looked beautiful, my products looked beautiful and I was so proud of all that I'd accomplished - BUT no one was interested. This was the longest five hours of my life! I couldn't decide whether to cry or scream - really I couldn't do either because of the hundred or so people that were there. So, I sat, and drew and drew and drew. I talked to as many people as wandered by my table and when 1:00 finally rolled around I let myself start packing up. I thought maybe I could salvage the day if I could get home by two and at least finish the laundry.

Enter, one lovely lady - she'd actually been there a while and walked by a couple of times. She stopped and asked, "Is this THE Zentangle?" "Is this kit for sale?" Then she said, "I have no talent. I could never do this." I was shocked, I was beaten and ready to throw in the towel. Now I had to put all of that aside and talk with this wonderful girl. I certainly had the time and she had the enthusiasm. She purchased a kit so, right there, I cleared the table and gave her a quick 10 minute lesson. She was so excited about her first Zentangle that it was infectious. I was suddenly feeling worlds better. Best of all, her Zentangle came out GREAT!!! My day was instantly turned around and my attitude was back in check - success! I couldn't wait to get home and write about it!

So, in hopes that that lovely gal will look at my business card and visit my blog, I'd like to say Thank You! For saving my day, being my public student and helping me see that changing your attitude is all about how you look at a situation.

Never too Busy for a Little Creativity.

2010-01-23T22:04:00.005-05:00

Introducing my Tangle for the week, inspired by my "Whirlwind" life!

I don't know about you but I had one heck of a week. In addition to conducting my first "real" Zentangle Class I completed a huge annual project at work, got all of my marketing promo off to the printers and got a pretty good chunk done on the next HUGE ANNUAL PROJECT for work! However, believe it or not, THAT is not what I am most pleased with this week. What is? I managed to keep my cool composure all week and my New Year resolution. Sigh... YES, I admit it, I DID make a New Year's resolution.

My resolution was actually more of a promise to myself that I would do something creative every day. I am proud to state, LOUDLY for all to hear, that I have managed to be creative every day - and not just at work. For those of you that don't know it, I am lucky to have a job that I get be creative every day. But you all know that there is a difference between creativity at work and the need to create art. My resolution was the "feed my need to create art" variety of creativity.

How on earth did I manage to do all that I did at work, keep my kids and husband on track, prepare for teaching a class and be creative? I asked myself that same question this morning and you know what I realized???

I didn't do a single dish or a stitch of laundry all week! I also missed every "favorite show" that I have. You know what else I realized? I didn't care - still don't for the record. Sure, I had to get up a little earlier this morning to do all of the dishes and it's 10:30pm right now and I am just starting to fold laundry but I got an enormous amount of drawing done, quite a bit of painting done and put 14 talented and energetic woman through an intensive Zentangle beginner bootcamp! It was a great week.

So, what is my life lesson from this week? Sacrifice.

Sacrifice may be necessary to get everything that you want to get done done. However, it doesn't have to be this big dramatic event! We all have things that can be sacrificed to feed our souls - apparently mine is dishes and laundry. Not a bad trade I think.

Inspired - Getting Over 2009

2010-01-17T22:37:00.007-05:00

Let me start this off with a little bit of a personal story - very little, promise! Since my sons were just about babies I have written a New Year letter to them; it's been a way to recap the year and let them know how much they accomplished over the year. This year my letters are running a little late - ok, very late. I just haven't been inspired to write about 2009, it was a tough year. I was just not a content person last year. Something constantly eating at me, an itch that I could not scratch! Please don't let me be mistaken, I am very lucky and 2009 was no less of a blessing for me than any other year. But, I dealt with a lot of baggage this year and watched a lot of people that I love go through some tough times.

Stick with me here - this isn't about THAT! This is about how over the past three weeks I have been inspired by the people that I know and love and how, because of that, I am leaving last year behind. Hopefully, once I get this down I can get those letters done for my wonderful boys.

My best friend is an amazing woman. I have spent the last twenty years trying to convince her of that. She's the definition of gorgeous, but she's SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT!!! She's a loving wife, an unbelievable mother and the best friend anyone could ask for. In addition to all of that, she is the most talented stylist I have ever been to! But, believe it or not, she isn't fulfilled. She's has contemplated and fretted for the longest time about what the next phase of her life is going to look like. Her daughter is growing up and she has time to concentrate on herself. "Now what?" is all she can think. Well, this year - 2010 - she decided to take the reins and go back to school! What an amazing decision to have made. I am so proud of her and can't wait to see what happens next! HOW INSPIRING IS THAT??

With that I am one step closer to getting over 2009!

I work with a wonderful woman. She has the most exquisite voice, it simply makes your heart hurt. I actually work with a lot of very talented people but this lady is exceptional! She has the kindest most beautiful soul I have ever known. I've watched her work so hard for the last I don't know how many months. Full time work, full time Mom and now she is just about to launch her newest CD. It is amazing - check her out with that link! It'll be obvious HOW INSPIRING THAT IS.

There's another step closer to getting over 2009!

When I started this blog, I created a Facebook profile and page - shameless plug inserted here, check me out with that link. As you can imagine there were about a hundred people from my past that immediately popped up. People that I hadn't seen or heard about in over twenty years. Who knew your past could be so scary? What if no one remembered me, or worse - cared that Iwas there. OUCH! I can't even tell how long I spent sitting in the background, not getting involved, just poking around. Then it happened, someone noticed I was there. How could I say no to this woman that I remembered as such a sweet girl - from way back when I was "such a sweet girl". So I accepted the friend request and, upon accepting that ONE request, I immediately got another TWENTY. That is amazing to me. I can't believe the things that you don't realize you are doing throughout your life; like making friends with people that will remember when you learned how to tie your shoes and the time you cut a whole in your Grandmother's antique tablecloth to make it a ghost costume.

Over the last several weeks I have reconnected with a whole bunch of people. People that have turned into amazing adults with amazing families and stories of thier own. HOW INSPIRING IS THAT?

Was that the last step? I think maybe!!

Despite how rough 2009 was, I am surrounded by inspiration every day! Yes, I have to watch for it and open myself up to it. I have to remind myself to practice what I preach and keep paying attention to the positive but it is time to move on!! Somehow it seems much easier all of the sudden.

What am I going to do with all this new positivity and inspiration? Share it - see above for my new Tangle!! I am going to pace myself of course, burnout is a bitch of a let down. And I simply cannot have that to get over in 2010.

Simplify

2010-01-10T01:49:00.008-05:00

So, I worked on the layout of this blog, again. Hope you like it! I'm trying to make it a little lighter on the eyes. I've also spent a ton of time agonizing over how I am going to teach these first three Zentangle classes coming up. Want to know what I realized? I really have to chill out. Can you see where I am going with this?

Despite my previous post about slowing down, this week I found that the amount of stuff I am doing now has my heart racing - tremendously. Work, kids, home and now a business? Life has me RUNNING, and I am no runner. I have been driving myself crazy over how to make these classes of mine interesting to all levels of ability. Spent hours on the internet researching how others teach pattern drawing or meditative doodling or just plain old regular drawing.

As an aside let me tell you something, my home is filled with signs of all kinds - wood, metal, antiques, crafty - all reminders directing my family to "Live, Laugh, Love", "Be Thankful", "Listen to the Queen!", and "Simplify".

"Simplify"?

How did I forget that one? Of all of these reminders, that one has to be repeated the most through out my home. Because, it's the most important, right? I have been struggling all week to put together wonderfully intricate designs for my classes and I forgot something SO IMPORTANT. All of my students are beginners, they have NEVER done a Zentangle before. Sure some of them are fantatstic artists and some have NEVER drawn before, but NONE of them have done this before.

Light dawned on marble head and today, suddenly, I have four complete designs done and ready to teach. How you ask? Well, I reviewed my own beginning designs. Yup, no more than four Tangles a piece. Talk about putting the cart before the horse. I will say that I was inspired by a pretty cool little video I've attached here. I'm even adding one of these designs to my own list of found patterns (a.k.a Tanlges, see the pic above) - going to call it K.I.S.S. Feel free to use it in your own doodles and if YOU want to learn how to Zentangle shoot me an email.

Now let me get ready for this week with one thing in mind and in my face - Keep It Simple Stupid. You guys keep it simple too. T:-)

Building a better year!

2010-01-04T21:23:00.004-05:00

Today's entry is going to be short. I promised myself, and it's 9:30pm so by my clock it is late! I think I mentioned this a work in progress right? Well, today I added a few of my favorite blogs to this page. These people inspire me daily and I hope you'll check them out.

I think adding my favorite blogs will build a better blog. But what will build a better year? I've read a lot of blogs lately and a better 2010 seems to be a running theme. Don't get me wrong, 2009 was good. BUT, GOOD IS BEIGE. This year I want PURPLE!! This year I want GREAT.

I'm thinking of taking a leap. I have secured four Zentangle classes in three weeks; which is pretty good! BUT I'm looking for GREAT! It's time to take my adventure to the street. On January 24th, right at the Worcester Art Museum, I think I will partake in the city's third Pecha-Kucha Night. Even writing it makes my stomach gurgle...what if there are a lot of people there? STOP! NEVER MIND THAT! "Better" doesn't come cheap and there are only 12 months in a year - better to start sooner rather than later. Hope to see you there!

Slow Down, Remember When

2010-01-02T17:09:00.009-05:00

Day two of 2010 - What a year so far!! Check list looks good:

Christmas un-decorating – DONE
Kid’s homework – DONE
After Christmas returns and gift card purchasing – DONE
House and laundry – clean
Driveway - shoveled
Bathroom - 90% done and looking fabulous, thank you to my fantastic hubby!!
AAAANDDD I have secured two more Zentangle® classes – www.zentangle .com

While all of this is going on, I am also populating my Facebook Page , gathering my Twitter followers from my Davis Publications account and asking them to follow me as @artsnwonderland too (that’s my name on Twitter if you are a Tweeter). Seems like a lot to have accomplished in two days I know. So, last night, while everyone was playing video games (and then after everyone went to bed) I spent some time looking through all my art files and catching up with an old friend I thought I’d lost. The drawing pictured here is an OLDIE but a goodie… from HIGH SCHOOL no less! Couldn’t believe I had a digital file it; another thank you to my fantastic hubby! How cool is it that a #2 pencil drawing lasted so long? Pretty cool I think! Hope what I am doing now lasts just as long. Check out the gallery – I added some new stuff.

Wondering what my point is in telling you this? Did I mention anywhere this is where all the extra stuff in my head goes? Hold on, I’m getting there.

My little picture was a reminder of where I’ve come from and where I’m going! While I have lots and lots going on right now I realized that it’s a perfect time to remember how important it is to slow down and breathe. It’s important to slow down and remember when every day was a crisis and there was never going to be an end to the anxiety (a.k.a. high school). It’s important to slow down, even the most hectic of days is going to end, and to remember when you feel like you are moving a million miles a minute that there is an old friend out there (or someone right next to you) that knows exactly what you’re feeling.

SO, I’m slowing down now. I’ve done enough to get ready for this new teaching adventure of mine. And I am remembering when it starts to get crazy that I have to slow down. Talk to you lata. T ;-)

Curiouser and Curiouser

2009-12-31T16:29:00.005-05:00

Happy New year! I should be taking down the Christmas decorations and preparing for tonight, but I have some loose ends that I want to finish up first - like my first REAL blog post! I've been working for days putting together all of the items I am going to use in this new adventure I'm beginning.

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, you don't even know me yet. I'm your average every day lady. I have a wonderful husband and two fantastic kids who I love more than anything and I am the marketing manager for a publications company in MA. Seems like that was about it until recently. I decided it was time to re-invent myself and made a promise to myself to bring the creativity I use in my work into my life! I see it all around me all day. It's time to live it every day too.

After years of drawing them, this Fall I became a certified Zentangle teacher. But I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. What is Zentangle? Oh! Check it out Hmmm ... I hope that code looks better when this posts (if it doesn't the address is www.zentangle.com).
After the training, I held a few tiny "classes" of my own with my friends and their kids and something strange happened. I wanted to paint again - all the time. I finished three huge stitching projects I had started two years ago and I remembered how much I enjoyed being an artist. That "wonder" full feeling caught on fast and a decision was made - I'm teaching this!

I'm not exactly sure what it is about Zentangle that is making it so exciting. Maybe it's the class that's getting me SO EXCITED. Is it because this will be my first adult class or maybe it's because I am filled with creative energy again! Does it matter? It has been an amazing week and I have created some great new items. This picture is just one! Hope you find some creative energy of your own this year.

"Let the wild rumpus start"

2009-12-29T11:55:00.002-05:00

Because I cannot stand to let this page stand empty while I finish messing with it I submit this -my first post. I wanted a place to show my work and write about it so let's see how this goes.