Mar2

Could it be? Yes it could! Something’s comin’, Somethin’ good! – Part 2

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Did I ever tell you how I got involved with Zentangle?  I have always been involved in the craft world – sewing, crocheting, dabbling in watercolor and painting, cake decorating, calligraphy, jewelry making, taking workshops here and there of crafts that were of interest to me.  I came from a family of artists (dad is a comic book artist, uncle was an illustrator)  and although I tried my hand at watercolor and painting, I always felt like I was never much of a “real” artist.  I made the joke that my family had the fine art gene and I got the arts and crafts gene.  I really wanted something that I could call my own and feel like I was good at.

Enter the world of Zentangle.  I was on the internet one day and I honestly don’t even remember where I saw it, but suddenly there was this black and white abstract drawing that caught my eye.  I followed the links and finally ended up at the Zentangle.com site.  I got so excited!  They actually had a kit I could buy!  So I did…I bought it and started creating some Zentangle pieces.

I really enjoyed the process.  It was fun, it was easy, I didn’t have to buy a lot of supplies, I could take it with me pretty much anywhere because it was small and portable.  I had found my niche.

Then I saw in the local newspaper that a gallery downtown was going to have an exhibit, and that I could participate!  The exhibit was called “Crazy 8’s” and was to be held at Gallery XII on Douglas in downtown Wichita, KS (a picture of that first piece is shown below).   I was SO excited!!  I decided what I was going to make for that show, completed it, framed it and took it down to the gallery.  I invited friends and family to visit with me on the evening of the program (it was on a Final Friday) and people actually showed up!  What a great feeling that was, and it propelled me to the next step.  I talked to the gallery owners adjoining Gallery XII and they seemed impressed with what I had done.  So I consigned a few pieces to them and lo, and behold, I sold some!!  And, boy, did that make me feel good!!

Because I knew Zentangle was a fun and easy art form, it was not hard for me to make the decision that I wanted to share it with other people.  Since the founders of Zentangle, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, hold a certification program for those who want to share the Zentangle art method with others, I made my way to the East Coast to participate in that certification process.  It was there that I really came to understand the value of Zentangle in people’s lives.  Not only was it a fun and easy process, but there was a whole other realm to it.  It increased my focus, created a different mood and state of mind in me, provided  me with artistic satisfaction (Yay!  I really AM an artist!), and increased my overall sense of well being.  It was uplifting!!  Something I knew so many of us need in our everyday, hectic lives.  If it could do all this for me, I knew it would be beneficial to anyone I was able to share it with.  I became so much more grateful for having found it and for the privilege of being able to be certified to share it.  You can learn more about the Zentangle method here and here.

BUT WHY AM I TELLING YOU ALL THIS??

Because in the next couple of days you’ll see a post that will tell you about an upcoming Zentangle show where YOU can exhibit YOUR work!!  I can’t tell you how excited I am to be on this journey with you, knowing that many of you have allowed me to share the Zentangle art method with you.  What a joy it has been to me to see you “take off” with your Zentangle projects!  How it has provided me with such pride when I see your work at one of our “Tangle and Talk” gatherings, or in a store or art/craft show somewhere in town, or on Facebook when you share.  I feel like I have brought “Tanglers” into the world –kind of like giving birth!  And now, on the next portion of this journey, I will be honored to have a way for you to share your love, nay, addiction, to Zentangle with the people of Wichita!

So STAY TUNED…notice will go out in the next few days giving you the WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW!!

Happy Tangling!  Bon 🙂

My first Zentangle for the Crazy 8's Show - Notice the string is in the shape of the number "8"

My first Zentangle for the Crazy 8’s Show – Notice the string is in the shape of the number “8”

Feb12

Could it be? Yes it could! Something’s Comin’, Somethin’ good!

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My plan is to make an announcement at the beginning of March which could involve all of you if you are interested!!  All I’ll say for the moment is…START TANGLING!!

In the meantime, though, in honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s a video on how I made the little box pictured below.  Would make a great little trinket box for Valentine’s Day, or a birthday, or for any occasion.  Just tuck a little treasure inside.  If you need Zendalas, let me know.

Kudos to Cris Strovilas Letourneau for the video, and Dorian Eng for the creation!

B 🙂

Zendala Box

Zendala Box

Zendala Box

Zendala Box

Feb4

ROAD TRIP…

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I read a joke recently —

“How are you?”  “Fine.  For details, read my blog.”

Of course if you were to read my blog you wouldn’t find much.  I keep telling you that I’m busy and that I’m going to get better at doing this thing.  Has it happened?  Not yet, but life is a journey and I’m a work in progress.

That being said, I would like to catch you up on what’s been happening on my side of the planet.

The holidays certainly kept me busy.  As some of you know, I work part-time for the UPS store in Wichita.  Needless to say, from about the middle of November through the end of January it was soooooo busy that I didn’t even get a chance to put up a Christmas ornament, let alone a Christmas tree.  That being said, I did enjoy time with my family on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  January kept us busy at UPS with returns and such.  I think things are finally calming down, though, which is good, because quite honestly I really thought I was supposed to be retired.

During that time-frame, I re-ignited my interest in my art and started painting.  I did a number of pieces, mostly for family and friends. Most of it is abstract, you can see some of the pictures I’ve posted.  But I’ve also been working at tangling more often, and have posted some of those, too.  Over the holidays, a friend of mine in Virginia, Kathy Strauss, introduced me to Whitney Freya and Creatively Fit.  What I found through Creatively Fit was another piece to put into my toolbox.  I am currently working my way through Whitney’s online certification program to become a Creatively Fit coach.  You’re probably thinking, so what does a Creatively Fit coach do, Bonnie, and why are you telling me this?  Over the past several years (I became a Certified Zentangle Teach in 2011), I have come to realize that I’m on a journey of opening up myself to creating — both art and my life.  I find it fascinating that the road has opened up to me to begin painting again.  But not just painting; enjoying myself and immersing myself in the PLEASURE of art. I’m so much of a “business person” that I see everything as a “business”.  My family laughs at me all the time because everything I hear about, or think up an idea about, I’m like…”hmmm, how can we make this into a business?”  What I am beginning to see in myself, though, is the PLEASURE of art for art’s sake.  I’m not famous, I’m not perfect, I’m not a “professional” in the sense that most people would consider an artist to be, but I am so thrilled to just being in the moment.  And this is where I think the whole key lies.  Instead of “working” or trying to “do”, I’m finally just “being”.  And that’s a HUGE breakthrough for me.

I’m anxious to see where that journey leads me.  I know that I’ve become more excited about what I’d like to share.  I’ll still teach, but instead of being “the teacher” (as in standing in front of the class saying, “Now, class…”), I hope to be a guide.  A guide to those around me who also want to take that journey on the road to “being in the moment”.  I’ll still probably stand in front of a group of people who want to learn the Zentangle method, but I feel a shift in my thought pattern and I hope that will come out as I share in future programs.  Let me know the next time you take a workshop with me if you see any of that shift.  I’d sure love to know if I’m an inspiration to you.  I don’t want to be droll, dry, or dead.  I want to share my excitement, my passion, my joy with you in the act of creating.

Am I beginning to sound a little too far in the clouds?  I hope not.

Take the journey with me and let’s see where we land, shall we?

I do want to tell you about some new classes I’ve put up.  If you go to the workshops/demos page you’ll see two new classes there – BEYOND THE BASICS: String Theory and Embellishments, and SHADES OF GRAY.  These are going to be really fun classes and you’ll enjoy the deeper, richer experience you’ll have with your tangling through them.  Interested in both classes?  I’m holding a DOUBLE-HEADER.

Once I finish my course work in Creatively Fit, I’ll receive my certification there and will be preparing to share that, probably sometime around May 2015.

I almost forgot!  I’m also headed to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take a weekend program from Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson.  Her collage work is extraordinary and I am super excited about learning from her.  Her story is awe-inspiring and you must look at her work.  Click here to see it.

Will it be another three months before my next blog?  Who knows.  A couple of roads keep coming to my mind…the long and winding road (Beatles) and the Yellow Brick Road (leading to Oz and home).  I’m on the road and I’ll keep you posted at the stops along the way 🙂

HAPPY TANGLING, B.

Pink Circus

Pink Circus

Bijou Tile - open

Bijou Tile – open

Bijou Tile - closed

Bijou Tile – closed

LOVE

LOVE

Heart ART

Heart ART

From my Journal

From my Journal

Oct31

So here’s the scoop…

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I am appalled that I haven’t sent out a message in two months!  But what can I say?  Life gets in the way all the time.  I joke with my friends that I have no idea how in the heck I was ever able to work a full-time job because, as of right now, I don’t have enough time to do all that I do and fit a full-time job in!!  I never understood what people meant when they said they “retired” and didn’t have enough time.  Well, that’s the case.  Between the regular grind of just doing household chores, shopping, and keeping up with my family, I find that all the other activities I want/need to do eat away at what little time I have.  I do work part-time, so that takes up several days, and I still do my classes so that takes up some time.  But I have been trying to do artwork of late and that, along with helping out a new project get off the ground (I’ll tell you more all about that in the paragraph below) has been keeping me hopping.  I’ve been trying my hand at Gelli printing (which I am enthralled with), collage, papercutting, and in general, watching YouTube videos on how to create things (I guess that REALLY takes up time).  I WANT TO DO IT ALL!!

But here is one of the newest projects I’m involved with…ThomGallery.com.  It’s been quite a crazy ride over the last month or so.  You can read all about it at the blog on ThomGallery.com.  The core people of the project have been trying to get the program off the ground and we’ve run into some obstacles.  We originally had a beautiful Victorian home in the downtown area that we were beginning to fix up, but the lease fell through on us.  So now we are looking for a new home.  I’ve posted a picture of the original place we had, so if you know of anyone who has such a marvelous piece of property that they want fixed up, we’re willing to do the work (we’d love to trade some of the leasing fee in exchange for that work).  We’d like it to be somewhere in the downtown area and have lots of room for all the visions we have in mind.

Original THOM Gallery

Original THOM Gallery

Please “Like” our Facebook page here.  And bookmark ThomGallery.com.  We have our First Annual Muse Art & Talent event scheduled for November 15, so keep checking the website for details.  We are looking for artists to participate, so if you are interested in that download the entry form here.

Finally, if you are interested in helping us financially, we have a GoFundMe campaign going.  Anything you can offer would be so very much appreciated.  

AS A SPECIAL THANKS TO YOU – if you donate $5 or more you will receive a bookmark from me; if you donate $10 or more I will make you a Zentangle tile with your first initial; if you donate $25 or more you will receive an original matted Zentangle tile; if you donate $50 or more you will receive all of the above.  If you donate $250 or more you will receive one of my abstract paintings using three colors of your choice – paintings are one of a kind, so I cannot tell you what they will look like.  Some pictures below are representational only.

IF YOU DONATE, please let me know by commenting below or sending me an email – emeraldcitytangles@yahoo.com.

Love to all of my followers who put up with my ramblings!!  B 🙂

Zentangle - Collision

Zentangle – Collision

 

Green Abstract

Green Abstract

Horse & Rider

Horse & Rider

Beginning of Collage

Beginning of Collage

 

 

 

 

Aug28

Zentangle Cases

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For those of you looking for a slim, little case to carry your tiles in, I have the perfect solution.  I recently received a supply of old floppy disk holders that fit your tiles perfectly!  You can carry up to 10-12 tiles in this case that snaps shut.

Zentangle Tile Holder - Open

Zentangle Tile Holder

It easily fits into your purse or pocket and you always have a fresh supply of blank tiles available, as well as a way to carry your completed tiles around without damaging them.  If you are interested, I will have them available for purchase at any of the workshops I’m doing, or you can email me at EmeraldCityTangles@yahoo.com to order.  They are $1.50 each.  Pink only.

Zentangle Tile Holder - Open

Zentangle Tile Holder – Open

Zentangle Tile Holder - Closed

Zentangle Tile Holder – Closed

 

Aug9

Cool Idea and Upcoming Newton Workshops

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I came across a really neat video on my Facebook page with instructions on making a flower card, and wanted to share it with you if you haven’t already seen it.  This would make a really neat card for someone (think: Birthday, Hello Friend, Get Well, Mother’s Day, etc.), especially if you tangle the flowers.  Unfortunately, I can’t seem to embed the link, so if you want to see how it’s done, go to my Facebook Fan page,  EmeraldCityTangles, and check it out.  While you’re there, if you’d “Like” my page I’d be most appreciative.  Feel free to share with others you know who may be interested in this type of fun idea.

I’ll also be offering two workshops at the Carriage Factory Gallery in Newton, Kansas.  I’ll be there on Saturday, September 13, 2014.  Two workshops will be available; Introduction to the Art of Zentangle (beginner), and Tangle Print Impressions, where you’ll learn to make a relief print.  Come join us if you have never had a beginner workshop, or come see the new workshop I’ve put together.  We’ll have lots of fun tangling and learning together!

HAPPY TANGLING!!  Bonnie 🙂

 

 

 

Jul17

Camp Quality

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I had the wonderful pleasure of recently sharing Zentangle with 39 children (and 40 accompanying adults) who were attending Camp Quality for a week of summer fun.  Camp Quality’s mission is to provide community-based camping experiences and ongoing support programs for children with cancer and their families.  Their tagline is “Letting Kids with Cancer Be Kids Again”.

Susie Mooney is the Executive Director for the organization here in Kansas and is a delightful lady!  She has a real heart for her work and a fantastic staff (all volunteer), and was kind enough to sit with me for a bit and share with me.  One thing she shared with me is that they are not funded by any entity, all funding to keep the camp moving forward is through private donations.

In November, Susie and her staff (the Kansas arm of this organization) will be hosting the national organization’s conference. They will be setting up “goodie bags” for the members who will be coming in from all over to participate in that event, and so I’m putting out the word that if you are a local business or church (or even national or web-based) and would like to donate about 100 items (or I’m sure they’d take cash donations), please contact her.  You can go the website, www.campqualityusa.org/ks or call her office at 913.424.8355.

It was such a privilege to have this opportunity and it was really fun to meet such a group of amazing kids!  They did such a Zentabulous job on their tiles as you can see in the pictures below.

Happy Tangling, Bon 🙂

Camp Quality Mosaic

Camp Quality Mosaic

Camp Quality Mosaic

Camp Quality Mosaic

Rachel, Staff

Rachel, Staff

Sara, Staff

Sara, Staff

 

 

 

Jun30

New Pictures

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Here are a few new pictures from some of my recent workshops.  The flowers are from a former student, Stuart, who attended one of our Tangle-and-Talk sessions.  These are from his garden.  Very beautiful and could be drawn and tangled as a ZIA piece.

Hope everyone is having a “Tangling” summer!  B.

May8

Tangle Print Impressions

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I have a new workshop scheduled, entitled “Tangle Print Impressions”.  This is where you’ll learn to carve and print a tangle relief print to create an original work of art.  You can utilize this process for creating cards, stationery, journal papers, wrapping paper, fabric prints and more.  Shown below are some pictures. From three black & white ones are Bunzo, Hollibaugh, and Keeko.  You can see that the Christmas card is two different prints (one black, one green).  I used the tangle “Hollibaugh” and then tangled within the Christmas balls hanging from it.

Tangle Print Impressions

Tangle Print Impressions

Here’s the link if you are interested in reading more and/or registering…

Tangle Print Impressions

Yellow Zen Christmas Card

Yellow Zen Christmas Card

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve also been meaning to share some information one of my tanglers shared with me recently regarding white pens.  I know some of you may not have worked with white pens on the black tiles, but they make for interesting pieces.  I’ve also seen somewhere in the Facebook posts comments about white pens, so you might want to try a search there if you have questions (as well as using Google).  I just thought Stuart’s thoughts might be helpful, plus if any of you have additional thoughts to share, please feel free to comment.

Stuart writes: “I have been searching for a white pen, basically since I took your class last winter. I just can’t seem to find anything that works for me. I have tried a couple of different ball point gel ink pens. They all seem to have the same problem, the ink just seems to pour out of them. It is real hard to control the flow and impossible to get a fine line. I’d all but given up on ever being able to do fine detail work in white. Then I happened to try a dip pen and a bottle of white ink. Walla! I think I am on to something. First I tried a Speedball B6. Still too wide but at least the ink doesn’t pour off it. Then I tried a Crow Quill and I think I finally found what I am looking for. A nice crisp fine line. I definitely need to practice with it but I am liking what I am seeing so far. It is a hassle to have to clean it CONSTANTLY to make it work right. And there is the possibility of spilling an ink well all over. But it is better than the alternative. I really wish someone made a nib style pen in white. I can’t understand why none of the pen manufacturers do.”

Happy Tangling!  B.

White on Black

White on Black