Zendala Dare #115 + use tangles that start with (all or some) letters: THANKS

I wasn't too fond of this week's Zendala Challenge from Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.com, because I thought there were too many spaces and awkward ones at that…. But I try to do all of the Dares, and I was frankly quite surprised and pleased with my end result with this one. Goes to reinforce that you never know where Zentangle is going to take you! I initially wanted to use tangles for all the letters in the word "THANKS" (which was part of this week's dare), but I decided to stop without using an H or an N, and I'm happy that I left the open space! I'm not sure why it looks like the paper is blue - it's not - it's off-white water-colour paper; but I kind of like it blue!

Zendala Dare #113

My entry for last week's Zendala Dare from Erin at www.thebrightowl.blogspot.com is late because I've been down with bronchitis, and most of my artistic energy has been used getting ready for a couple of classes, and finishing a couple of the fantastic projects from our weekend in the state of N.Y. at Camerida. Without more chatter, here is my entry:

Zentangle Challenge #219 - Straight lines - tile #3

This is my third tile done for this week's Zentangle Challenge from Laura at www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com. In my first submission I used Hollibaugh as a string and filled in the bands with tangles; this time I've left the bands empty and filled in the spaces behind. I also used two tangles I've never attempted before - Zuan Shi and Juke. I'm having fun with this challenge!

Zentangle Challenge #157 - UMT - Charlie

This weeks Zentangle Challenge from Laura at iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com is to use the Tangle: Charlie. I like this tangle - I like the boldness. I decided to pair it with other bold tangles and came up with this. I haven't used Charlie much, but am going to use it again today in my Tangle a Day Calendar. It's a fun one!

Zentangle Challenge #155 - "A Little White Space"

This week's challenge from Laura at www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca is to do a tile or ZIA and leave white space. When I do a ZIA I often leave white… but when I do a tile, for some reason, I always want to fill it up. There are so many wonderful Tangles to work with - it seems to be getting more and more difficult for me to limit the number of tangles and I think my tiles are starting to feel too cluttered. This is a wonderful challenge that will help me refocus. This one is done in my journal so maybe about 6" x 10". Not what I intended, but that's the way it goes. If I have time over the next couple of days, I'll try doing a tile and see if I can leave a space alone! Great challenge, as always!

Zentangle Challenge #137 - Duotangle - Knights over Tipple

This was indeed an interesting challenge from Laura at www.iamthedivaczt.blogspot.ca! In some ways a simple challenge - to use the two tangles Knightsbridge and Tipple. Ha - nothing is ever "simple". I tried to add some "shine" to Knightsbridge and that was not at all successful so ended up smudging it over so I'm hoping someone else has done this so I can see how it's done! I don't often add aura's, but it seems the best way to fill the empty space here. The end result, as usual, looks very different from the string and ideas I started out with, and I'm not unhappy with this though I'm looking forward to seeing what others have done to add more interest.

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.)