Zentangle Challenge #86 - Break Free

The Zentangle Challenge (iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca) this week is one I looked at with excitement (it's a real challenge for me to go outside of lines) and dread (stepping outside my comfort zone - big time!). In this challenge we are to use our strings as a "guideline" and extend our design beyond; in other words to "break free" of the constraints of some lines. Hummmm.... I found a pattern I had set aside for the right inspiration (boxes, a circle, and a ruler shape), and decided that should really make me push my comfort zone! I started with a newish tangle "Tra-la-la" (which I have fallen in love with), and then Featherfall (which looks wonderful on everyone else's but I need more practice), then Rouche (another new to me tangle). Anyone out there have a tutorial on perspective? Those boxes were tricky - again something that looks great when I see them on others sites. Anyway, it's done, and was fun/scary to do. I'm looking forward to paying more attention to "break free" designs when I look at others' designs. Thanks Laura for making me push my boundries by coming up with these great challenges; and thanks everyone for sharing your own designs and to everyone who takes the time to look and comment. The Zentangle community is truly encouraging and supportive!

This weeks Diva challenge is "Mardi Gras". Interesting, because just last week I was mentioning to my husband that someday I would love to visit New Orleans. I couldn't get inspired with this challenge though - I felt that I had to actually draw something that looked like something (a mask, a face, ???). I don't generally like to look at other submissions before I do my challenge, but I did this week peek at a few which were all spectacular and made it even harder for me to start. But I am determined to do each challenge - it is after all a "challenge". I'm not pleased with this one, especially after seeing so many other fabulous Mardi Gras zentangles! If I have time this weekend, I might try again - and try to do something with just pattern - no objects. I think I would be happier with that. In the future, I'm not going to look at anyone else's before I do my own. What is so neat about these challenges, and Zentangle in general, is that everyone has their own style, their own personality put into each piece. Even though we are all following a common theme, each zentangle is so completely different! It's awesome. (There is a lot of purple and green in "featherfall", and the whole mask, but unfortunately it didn't scan too well.)