Drawing Class with Frank Zampardi

Watching images emerge out of the paper....

Contour drawing

Every drawing class I have ever taken has been a joy.  and it reminds me that I should be drawing every day.  This was Frank Zampardi's drawing class held at the Center for the Arts in Leesburg, FL. yesterday from 9-4.   Frank teaches up in The Villages at the College for Learning.  

Frank is an excellent teacher and the workshop came with a notebook FULL of excellent hand outs.  We worked mostly in graphite and a little charcoal (charcoal is NOT my favorite). 

Something Possessed Me!!! Uh oh.

I do NOT know what possessed me this afternoon.  After a bit of "studio cleaning" I was moving things around and this painting got set up in the corner where I could look at it from a bit more distance.

This little rounded spot just seemed to say "something should be in this special spot".  But what?
For some odd reason crows have a habit of showing up in many artist's work.  I am not sure why.

But I thought of having a "black" colored bird in this spot might be effective and would immediate make this painting have a right side up, of course.  Big step.  Oh well, I am into risk taking.   

So after I sketched him in I decided to start with a light wash of Antwerp Blue watercolor.  Well, of course, with the yellow behind him...duh..now he's a yellow green.  It will be easy to make him black at some point.  But I decided to stop for awhile and see what my blog readers think.  

Should he be a black black bird?  Or should he be more subtle and the viewer just happen to be surprised by the bird who sort of blends into the back ground?  No rush.  Time to think.    

ZIA Splat (Zentangle® Inspired Art)

Auraknot, Hypnotic, Featherfall, Hollibaugh, Paradox, Dyon, BTL Joos, Flutter Pie, Knightsbridge, Footlites, Gingham, Coaster, Black Pearl, Earth Rising, Striping, Tipple, Cincfleur

This is several days puttering. Done on top of a watercolor (Arches 140# cold press) where I was experimenting with blowing through a straw.  This is actually upside down from how I worked on it, but I like this view better.  I had tried to kind of work the two spots in the "splat" where white showed through by making them sort of "see through" in the illusion.

I almost called this "Fantasy Continent" as it almost looked like a strange land form map.  I just laid a mat on tops so it's not tight down or anything...just to have a look-see at the composition and what might need to happen next if anything. 

We are having wonderful autumn days in FL now which means temps in low 80s and cool nights in the 60s.  Perfect.  

An Ensemble

Ensemble of 4 Zentangle® Tiles 

The 4 Tiles shown separately

Well I have been totally busy for a few days so to make up for my lack of daily art...I decided to make 4 Zentangle tiles and show how an "ensemble" looks. This is the first one I've ever tried and, of course, it takes a lot longer to do 4 than one!!!

In this example I taped them down and drew the string on all 4 of them connecting from tile to tile.  I did continue tangle patterns from one to another where it seemed to work.  I do not think you have to do that.  I think you could draw the strings and then give out the tiles and people could so whatever and then put them together again.  

I tried some new tangles this time.  I'll star the new ones.  Ribbon, Footlights, Earth Rising*, Coaster*, Eylet/Crescent Moon Re-mix*, Scraper, Fishnet, Paradox, BTL Joos, Spaghetti & Meatballs*.  

The re-mix one is courtesy of Sandy Hunter's blog. A remix is when two tangles are reworked into a totally new tangle.

Making Art Every Day in November: jewelry

Adding Zentangles to Jewelry

I found this at a garage sale for 50 cents.  It just seemed to say..."got a tangle to spare?"

Garage sales are a terrific place to look for surfaces to tangle.  I did one little piece of jewelry last summer, if you remember...a tiny little doll pin named Zoe Zentangle.  (I know...I get a little weird sometimes.)  I wear a lot of red (and black) so this seemed like a fun idea.  I used patterns like Earth Rising, Paizel, and IX on this. Just an extra fine Sharpie.  

Creating Art Each Day...the Challenge

My first white on black Zentangles

Today really was a challenge to get something created.  Just a busy day.  I did order some white jelly roll pens (Classic .4mm) and thought I'd just do a few little simple trials on the back of my black notebook since I did not have any black paper handy.  (Very hard to photo as it is a shiny surface.) 

The right one turned out (completely by accident) to be a cat, don't you think? I mean I totally did not see it until I took the photo. And it was actually created vertically.  Funny how these work out sometimes.   

Create Art Every Day in November Challenge!

A small box about 4" x 4"

This project was sort of fun!

The box was one that I got flat and then could fold up later.  I needed something for people to put some donations into and so I cut a hole in one side for that as well.  The "string" for this one was based on one that Margaret Bremner had on her blog a few days ago.  Looped strings made all at one time in one stroke.  Also I am participating in the November Art Every Day Challenge.  See here. There are a LOT of artists participating and I was 203.  I don't know if I'll get to posting each day in November...but I might group my work and post once a week.  We'll see.  

Have you Found Robert Genn?

"The ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups. All those on the left side of the studio, he said, would be graded solely on the quantity of the work they produced, all those on the right solely on its quality. His procedure was simple: On the final day of class he would bring in his bathroom scales and weigh the work in the "quantity" group: fifty pounds of pots rated an "A", forty pounds a "B" and so on. Those being graded on "quality," however, needed to produce only one pot--albeit a perfect one--to get an "A". Well, came grading time and a curious fact emerged: the works of the highest quality were all produced by the group being graded for quantity. It seems that while the "quantity" group was busy turning out piles of work--and learning from their mistakes--the "quality" group had sat theorizing about perfection, and in the end had little more to show for their efforts than grandiose theories and a pile of dead clay." Robert Genn These kinds of stories along with tons of interesting "clickbacks" are delivered to you by newsletter bi-weekly.  Photos of artist's work often included.   I quote Robert often but some folks might have missed it. Click here to find out more about his newsletter.

Friends Help Show Off Todays Zentangles®

Snood, Paradox Knightsbridge, Fengle, Hurry

Elven, Beelight, Chillon, Circfleur, Sabi

Today's Zentangle® were experimenting with a few new patterns found in Joy of Zentangle.

A Walking Demo

Fine Art Open House: Ginny doing Zentangle demo

Zentangle Demo using small dry marker board

We had a nice group turn out at the art room this afternoon. There were demos of China Painting, Clay, Acrylics and Pastels, Egg decorating, and Watercolor.  I had at least 8 people actually sit down and make a book mark with 3 Zentangle patterns on it.  Several people signed up for the two classes.  The Nov 8 is full and I have a second class on Nov 29 that is filling up fast.

My apron was a hit.  And it's helpful to be able to point to the pattern that we are working on too.  I am a "walking demo".  

Just got my new Joy of Zentangle book this week.  Can't wait to sit down and go through it.  

I did finally finish up the apron.  Sigh.
It was totally fun.
BUT I must add that I probably won't be doing another one!  Hahaha.
I figure 5-6 hours on this all totaled.  But spaced out over several weeks when I was traveling and so it was good entertainment!  

My hubby said, "NO spaghetti sauce on that one!"  Oh my gosh!  I cringe thinking of that.  No, this is just for Zentangle classes.  

I figure there are at least 30 different patterns on this one.  The top half are the more "organic" ones that I particularly like such as "feather fall and "BTL Joos".  The bottom half the more "architectural" ones that require more straight lines.  Although I guess "Auraknot" in the center is somewhat organic?  I plan to spray the apron lightly with clear acrylic spray because I did shade with graphite on it and it might help keep that from smearing.  I do not know what would happen if I washed it?  

I bought this generic apron at Walmart.com online and had it delivered to the nearest WalMart for pick up (so no shipping charge).  They keep it at the layaway desk for 14 days.  If you don't pick it up, no charge.  It came in a package of 3 aprons for about $11.  I may decide to paint an acrylic one some day or use fabric paint or try something else with the other two.  

Incidentally, in the very center of the bib you can see a tiny dot of red?  That is actually a Zentangle Pin that I did last summer.  I found it at a garage sale and painted it with white acrylic paint, sanded it, and then put Zentangles on it.  I decided that it would be a good spot to show it off!  The pin came with several little glass sparkly beads on it and I left those on for a little jazz.  

I taught my sister how to do some Zentangles on our trip through NC this fall and when I did the "fringe" pattern (like across the top of the bib) I told her I didn't know the name of it.  So she dubbed it "french fries".  VERY good name. So that is what I call it.  

Well, back to Florida.
AHHHH.  85 and sunny every day!.

Had a little time to continue on with "the" apron last night.  The bottom half is done.  

Above that and below the printing I plan some "organic" pattens like "feather fall".  Am going to think about how to arrange those.  

Have a great weekend everyone.

Cabin Sketch

Did a little sketch today en plain air of the cabin in NC.


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Paintings Have a New Home

It!s lovely to have your work appreciated.
There is just something validating about artwork you have created reaching out and touching someone else.


That's how I felt yesterday when my friend, Ann, dropped by and took a few of my paintings home. I am holding "Parallel Universe" which is one she picked. It was so much fun to have a visit with a dear friend I had not seen in a long time! Thanks Ann. have a good winter!




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Starting to Tangle an Apron

You knew it would come to this. Didn't you?
Again this is not an original idea.
Sandy Bartholomew has a fantastic one on her blog!


This is not nearly so beautiful! It is designed to show off some of my more favorite tangle patterns. I have two spots left to tangle on the lower half and ran out of a steam for today.

I drew a line across the middle and am working now on filling the bottom half.
I am thinking about doing something a little different on the top half featuring more "organic" tangles like Feather fall and Mooka, etc I will insert either my name or the word Zentangles on the bib.

I ordered the white canvas aprons 3/$11 at Walmart.com and then picked them up at a local store so no shipping charge.

We are out to dinner now with my daughter's family.



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Following other blogs

I know. This a snake and a Zentangle. Not my snake. Not my tangle.
Designed to Create is one of the blogs I follow. Zach is a design student from Texas. He posts his tangles in strange places. His work is totally amazing. You will find his blog off on the right side under "blogs I follow".
Just click on Designed to Create and read his fun posts. Be sure to go back and look at some previous posts. It is one of the most creative blogs I've found!

And I definitely have to find more interesting ways to display my Zentangles!
He has also made a time lapse YouTube video http://youtu.be/XycPlF2LepA
And it is really worth watching!!!!


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Zentangles on the Road

I had a little time last night while my hobby was sorting through some garage sale finds, to try to more tangles. The left an attempt at a pinwheel (there have been some challenges on the topic lately and they have been so beautiful...just had to give it a first shot.) The one on the right is more "tree-like" string. Margaret Bremmer has been experimenting with this and so I give her full credit for this idea! Because I am posting from my iPad the photos are fairly small. I am not sure but you might be able to click on the. To enlarge? I am currently in SE Wisconsin on the first leg of our trip south to Florida. It is COLD here and we woke up to 38 degrees.


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Location:Forest Dr,Fontana-on-Geneva Lake,United States

Zentangle and a Reproduction

Opus, Paradox, Drupe, Laces, Kunstler, Hurry, Onamato, Ixorus, Gingham, W2, Knightbridge, Lacy, Brayd 

Full painting

Here is an example of ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) done on a reproduction of an original painting.  So...the painting is a reproduction of a painting of hydrangeas I did some time ago.  BUT the tangles on it are original....kind of like a "re-marking" of the print that some painters do.  

After I cropped the photo to show the close up I really fell in love with the cropped version!  It would make a lovely card too.  It would be interesting to see how buyers would react to this idea...part reproduction, part original! I am wondering if I should re-sign the work somewhere?  What do you think?  Maybe just initial it?  

Naturally it is better to tangle an original...but I do think this has some merit as well and gives you some practice in what works and what doesn't.  I could not enter this into a show that requires original work only, of course.  It's a shame to put all that work into something that you can't show!  So I don't know how often I would do this.

I may not be able to post again for awhile...although hopefully I can post from my iPad as I travel.  We will leave Thursday now, unless we get hung up on the closing routine.  Weather looks just awful toward the end of the week and I've pretty much talked my hubby into the day early departure!!  We plan to be in Florida by Oct 14.  Lots of adventures ahead.  See ya soon.  

Zentangle® Tiles on Sunday

Chemystery, Koryl

Triange, Gyro, Bilt, Auraknot, Jalousie

Hi-C, Lacy, Hurry, Mooka, Confettus, Laces

BB, Steem, Crescent Moon, Wartz, Unyun

I had some short wait-time before and after church today.  These 4 little 3.5" tiles seemed just to appear. The first one I call "Bird on a Nest" and the second one is "Cornucopia".  No titles for the last two.  You can name them for me.

I have now put together a little "packet" of supplies that I can take with me as I travel (we leave Friday for Florida). Two pens #01 and #05, pencil, stump which I have put into an old toothbrush holder and a pack of blank tiles and my small packet of tangle references tucked into a pocket folder.  I miss having the "how to" instructions on some of the newer tangles or more complicated one.  But that book is too heavy and cumbersome to carry around with me. So it has to get packed where I can't get at it easily.  Sigh.  But I also have several watercolor packs I keep handy for travel too.  My poor hubby has quite a time getting me packed!  And we travel in a PT cruiser!  

4 days and counting.  AND we are supposed to have SNOW by Friday.  
Today, however, we have THE  most gorgeous color in the trees I think I have ever seen.  Lucky us.   

Happy Hour

Happy Hour

Well we are really down to the count down now...at this time next week we'll be in Fontana, WI (300 miles south of Lac du Flambeau.) The car will be packed TO THE HILT as it always is when we head toward our Florida home...how the sagging springs manage I'll never know.  "Most" of studio is packed now.  

We'll be busy all weekend helping out at the model train show in Hazelhurst.  Then on Monday I will be covering the windows in the studio and taking one last look to make sure I haven't forgotten something important.  Then we begin to bring all the porch furniture inside and it gets stacked in my studio AND then against the studio door.  So that ends that!  So what little happens art-wise from now to next Friday will be very little!  I always leave my sketch book out of course.  

My friend, Mary Warren, may recognize this bar from her trip to Boston a few years ago.  The watercolor itself was done a long time ago.  But today I resurrected it again and added some ink Zentangles to spice it up.  One of the patterns is called "track lighting" (see top left side).  Perfect for an upscale bar, right?  The big mirror behind the light has been tangled in some of my favorite "transparent" tangles like Paradox and Betweed.  I added tangles to the edge of the bar itself and a few other places.  One could go on and on..but it would be too much then.  Thanks Mary for your lovely photo reference.  You are THE best photographer!  Mary has a Flicker site to view more of her exquisite work!  

We wake up to 32 degrees most mornings now and we are at almost 85% leaf color in the north woods.  It's splendidly beautiful...I must admit that!  Greg and I are getting excited about our family time ahead and then our travels to the mountains the following week, in North Carolina!  I hope to post a few photos from my iPad.  If I can remember how!!!

The Happy Hour painting is fairly small 10 x 12 and is painted on freezer paper.  I kid you not!  I took the image off the freezer paper as a mono print AFTER I did the original on rice paper as a batik.  The batik is "okay" but the freezer paper was neat-o.  Go figure.  Hahahaha.