Tag Archives: Zentangle enthusiasts

Jan27

One More Go Around the Sun…

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One More Go Around the Sun…

Thank you to 7 Forests 5 River Studio for offering this free tutorial you see on the left of this post.

We’re now in 2021, and again, I am behind. You know what they say…if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. So, we’re in a new year and I am finally set up on Zoom and can begin sharing Zentangle again. A lot has happened since my last post in June. I actually ended up selling my house in Wichita and relocated to sunny St. Petersburg in Florida. I have family here (in fact we are all in the same neighborhood so it’s really fun, we can walk to each others’ homes. I have acclimated quickly, but it’s probably because it’s really nice during this time of year. It’s been pretty much 60s and 70s as far as temperature goes, and the bug season is light at the moment. Once it goes above 75 degrees though, I’ll probably hibernate for three-quarters of the year!! I really don’t like the hot weather or the humidity, but the draw of family close by trumps my disagreement of the weather.

Once I sold my home, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was very lucky. It was caught very early (I get my mammograms every year) and so I scheduled the surgery and radiation before I left Wichita. Thank goodness for good friends. I was able to spend time with one of favorite friends and she took good care of me for a couple of months until I was given the go ahead to travel to Florida. Never take for granted your health or your friendships. If there’s someone you haven’t connected with lately, call them, text them, write them a letter or video with them. Especially these days our connections are so important!!

So that brings you up to date on where I am as far as locale. As you know, I’ve wanted to offer classes via Zoom but was probably the laziest person on the planet once Covid hit, tending to binge watch TV and hanging by myself instead of taking the necessary steps to learn the new technology. An interesting concept: I am normally a very social, gregarious person, but I found just doing nothing changed my perspective. Although the move did prove to be time consuming and frustrating at times, I realized that I was in a very fortunate state of body and mind. I had retired, I had no real responsibility as my children are grown and have lives of their own in another state, I have no grandchildren. It has been almost like a sabbatical for me, except, again, I was very lazy! But I will not beat myself over the head for that…apparently for me, I needed to be lazy for a while. But now rest is done.

So onwards and upwards as my new life begins here. I did my first Zoom teaching with my family acting as guinea pigs for me! I had my four cousins and their children and grandchildren meet up with me and we did a beginner class. We had great fun, I received wonderful feedback and I feel fairly comfortable with the technology. At the moment I am using my iPad for projection and that will work until I decide if I need better equipment or not. I have taken a number of classes just for myself, to help me get back in the swing of things and it has appeased my soul. So, having been rejuvenated, I’m ready to share once again. I’ll be posting on my Facebook and group page, along with my Instagram account, and on my personal Facebook page. If you want to be on my email list for updates, contact me at emeraldcitytangles@yahoo.com or PM me your email address.

Happy Tangling from the Sunny Shores of Florida! 😉

Apr4

ZENTANGLE EXHIBIT

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Bonnie Henna Drum Painting

Bonnie Henna Drum Painting

I hope you will join myself (Emerald City Tangles) and my dear friend, Diana McCann (The Tangle Goes On) as we share our love of Zentangle with the City of Wichita on Final Friday, April 29, 2016.  We will be exhibiting our Zentangle art work at Visit Wichita, 515 S. Main St., Suite 115, Wichita, KS, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, Friday, April 29, 2016.  There will be demonstrations, artwork to admire, artwork for sale, light refreshments, and lots of good times as our friends, family and collectors gather to celebrate with us all that we love about Zentangle!!  Don’t miss it!  One attendee will be the lucky winner of an original Zentangle art piece.  Make sure you when you arrive that you get your ticket for that drawing!

 

Zentangle

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Jan6

2016 – A Year of Change

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2016 freedigitalphotos.net

2016
freedigitalphotos.net

Wow!  The New Year has begun!!  Are you looking forward to becoming more creative this year?  I know I am!  Even the “teacher” needs to be re-juiced and so my plan is to take a couple of courses myself to learn some new things that I can pass along to inspire you this year!  Let’s use the energy that comes our way to fuel our excitement and creative juices!

 

 

 

 

Innovation - freedigitalphotos.net

Innovation – freedigitalphotos.net

A fellow CZT found this cute little test that will help you come up with a word for 2016 if you need a jump start for some inspiration.  Perhaps that word could be used in some way for fanning the creativity you desire for this year. When I took it, the word that popped up was “Innovation“. That’s interesting for me, because I don’t necessarily consider myself to be innovative or introducing something new or different.  It’s been said that there’s nothing new under the sun, but when I scroll through Pinterest or Facebook, or look at the special groups I’m a part of and see the beautiful creations produced by many amazing artists, it sure seems like there’s something new being done all the time!  Wouldn’t it be fun to come up with something innovative??  Something that everyone else just falls in love with and wants to do/copy/share?  I’m going to work and massage that word a bit this year and see what comes of it. Feel free to share with me what word you come up with and what it might mean to you.

Zendala

Zendala

We all need a little renewal to build up our own creativity.  So, because I need to renew myself, I’ve decided not to teach a Beginner Zentangle class each month as I have done in the past.  However…not to be dismayed!  I have contracted with WSU’s community education program to teach a special two-part program – The Joy of Zentangle: Beginner, and Zentangle: Intermediate.  Each part will consist of a two-week session. The Joy of Zentangle: Beginner will include the beginner class, obviously, and then cover strings, embellishments, enhancements and shading. Zentangle: Intermediate will consist of Zendalas and Lettering.  If you have never taken a Beginning Zentangle class, start with that and take both programs.  If you have taken a Beginner Zentangle program from myself or another CZT, you might want to consider just taking the intermediate session.  You’ll need to contact WSU directly, so click here.  These will be held in March 2016.

Flower Power

Flower Power

I’ll also be doing a Painting Made Easy class with WSU.  This is open to anyone 15 years and older.  You’ll learn a little bit about mixing colors and you’ll have a choice of one of three paintings to create.  This two-hour fun paint class will be held in March 2016 and you’ll need to contact WSU directly.

 

 

 

 

Card - Valentine Gatefold

Card – Valentine Gatefold

On the lighter side of things, I’ll be at the Carriage Factory Gallery in Newton, KS, on Saturday, January 16, 2016 from 10 am – noon to share a Zentangle Valentine’s Day Card making workshop.  To add to the fun, if you can stay after the class, I’ll be demonstrating how easy it is to create fun gifts on repurposed ceramics and glassware.  Bring along a plate, mug or wine glass and I’ll let you try out my pens after the demonstration!  You can sign up here or contact the Carriage Factory Gallery directly.

 

 

So, there you have it!  Here’s to a great 2016!!

Happy Tangling, B 🙂

 

 

 

Oct7

My Apologies…

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I overlooked thanking Paulette Mattingly for taking so many wonderful pictures of our ZenXpressions art show.  Paulette is an amazing photographer!  You can view her work at various venues around town.  The largest exhibit at the moment is being held at Century II throughout the hall.  Take the time to go view it; it will be a real treat for you!

Thank You, Paulette, for being so quick to take on that responsibility!  You were a life saver!!  B 🙂

Oct4

ZenXpressions Art Show = Success

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I think I’ve finally recouperated from the “ZenXpressions: A Showcase of Zentangle Inspired Art”! Whew!!  What a crazy time we had.  Over 40 pieces were on display and we had a wonderful showing!

Here are the names of our artist winners: First Place – Brenda Smith (Painted Mandala on Canvas); Second Place – Paulette Mattingly (Zendala); Third Place – Tessa Reed (Panda and Bamboo). Unfortunately (my fault), I wasn’t thinking and didn’t take pictures of all of the pieces.  I’ve made a note for next year’s show to do that!!  In fact, I’m thinking maybe next year a little catalog of the entries might be in order.

The People’s Choice award had over 100+ votes come in and Tessa Reed was the winner!

Two of our artists sold pieces – Congratulations Kae Decker and Diana McCann!  How exciting!!

And we sold enough of the handmade ornaments and bookmarks to be able to donate $100 to AFSP.org (Kansas).  As you will recall, a portion of the entry fees and all proceeds from the ornaments/bookmarks would be donated to a local chapter for suicide prevention, which turned out to be quite fitting as September was designated as Suicide Awareness Month.

A special thank you goes to our Sponsors:  Tessera Fine Art Gallery, The Avon Shop at Rock & 31st, Dopps Chiropractic NE, and Patti Doll-artist; and to our Judge, Ann Hathaway – CZT.

And, I couldn’t have done all of this without my wonderful team of volunteers!!  You are all so very much appreciated!!  Thanks for the good eats!!

Set your calendars for September 2016!  Happy Tangling!  Bonnie 🙂

2015_ZenXpressions#1-3818 2015_ZenXpressions#1-38402015_ZenXpressions#1-3820 2015_ZenXpressions#1-3851 2015_ZenXpressions#1-3862 Tessa Reed - 3rd Place and Peoples Choice Award

 

Sep23

Whole Lotta Stuff Goin’ On!

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There’s plenty a’happenin’ at Emerald City Tangles these days!  

Senior Expo, Thursday 09/24/15, 9:00 – 3:00 pm, Wichita Art Museum

ZenXpressions: A Showcase of Zentangle Inspired Art, Friday 09/25/15, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Winter Wonderland Card Making at Botanica, Thursday, 11/05/15, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Beginner Zentangle Class, Saturday, 11/14/15, 1:00 – 3:00/3:30 pm

That will be it for 2015!  Watch this space for more to come in 2016!

Happy Tangling!  B

 

Aug13

Update…

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It’s been almost a month since my last post and, as usual, much has been happening…

I had an opportunity to paint with a student recently that had never painted on canvas before.  Mind you, she is a creative type, but I was just blown away by the piece she completed with my instruction. Here are a couple of pictures…

 

Beginning Zentangle classes are still ongoing.  Here are some pictures of my most recent classes.

 

The next Viva Art & Vino painting class at Three Pea Consignment is scheduled for August 20.  We’ll be painting Whoo Whoo The Owl.  You can register here if you are interested in attending that event. Bring a bottle of wine and bring a friend to share in this special painting time with you!

 

The Annual Chalk Festival was held at the beginning of August and we had great weather and fun!  If you scroll down through the comments in the link, you’ll see that Ralph Joest, Mutual of America, picked up my house chalk painting.  This was my first time participating as an artist.  I’d love to do again next year and have more of you join us.  It’s for a good cause and it’s wonderful to see all the art that is created.  Plus there’s YOB (frozen yogurt) right in the square and makes for a great treat after a long, hot day!

 

The Wichita Tanglers have been very busy working on Christmas ornaments that will be sold at the ZenXpressions Art Show at the end of September.  The money we collect will be given to a local charity.  If you haven’t submitted your application for the show, please get cracking!  It’s less than two months away!  Don’t worry if you don’t know what you will be entering, just complete the application to the best of your ability and get your payment in to hold your spot.  Titles of the pieces can be provided later, and the artwork itself isn’t due until closer to the show.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me.  You can download the application instructions here, and the application for entry here.

 

Vision Quest

Vision Quest

 

Those of you who are interested in exploring your creative side on a greater scale might consider participating in Vision Quest.  If you want to create change, to invest in what you know is POSSIBLE for you, and to open up and expand the way you feel about your life, Vision Quest starts September 11.  As your Creatively Fit Coach, I’ll be working right along side of you, to hold you accountable, tailor the experience to your needs and love you through the process.  Everything you need to know can be found here.

 

 

 

 

Botanica has requested that I return again, this time to share creating Zentangle Christmas Cards (a couple of examples are shown).  The event will be held November 5th if you are interested, and is for anyone – beginners and advanced alike (21 years and older, please, as you are able to bring wine with you).  Botanica has not yet posted the link for this workshop…it should appear on their events calendar soon.

 

I think that’s plenty to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening at Emerald City Tangles Studio!

Keep on Tanglin’!!  B 🙂

May21

The Times They Are A Changin’ or Living Life on the Fly

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Both the titles above are apropos to my life as I’ve been involved in quite a number of things since my last post. So let me start with the fact that there’s been a date change for the “ZenXpressions” showcase (see more below).

I’ve been busy teaching and taking classes and have put up pictures in the gallery for you to look at.

When I returned from my cruise I had scheduled a Zentangle workshop at Botanica.  We ended up with 34 students and it was a great learning experience for my and the students.  One student in particular came with some of her work (she had started creating about a month prior to the class) and her talent was remarkable! There were lots of talented people in the class but her’s in particular was extraordinary.  I encouraged her to look into becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher.

Apple Collage

Apple Collage

As a teacher, I realize that I need to stretch my own abilities past what I already know.  Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson was teaching a paper paintings collage workshop in Lincoln, Nebraska, which I took advantage of since it was only four hours from my home.  It was three glorious days of making our own printed papers and learning her technique for creating paper paintings.  From afar they appear to be impressionistic, but when you get up close and personal you realize that they are made of painted papers. How fun is that?  All of the students who were there did a fantastic job…we had people from all walks of life, from fabric artists to surgeons.  The night before we left, my roomie and I held a “soiree” (I really like that word, I’m going to start using it instead of party when I have people over…reminiscent of a by-gone era)!   Everyone brought something to add to our stash and we had a great time talking art, techniques and learning about each other.  My piece is shown to the left.  For my first try I was pretty pleased, more so with the background pieces than the apple and foreground.  My favorite part of the project was painting the papers; I need more practice on my collage skills.

OF NOTE… there has been a change of date for the “ZenXpressions: A Showcase of Zentangle Inspired Art“.  It will now be held Final Friday, September 25, 2015.  The only thing that has changed is the date, SO DON’T PANIC!!  Those of you who have already registered, I will contact you directly about this.  For the rest of you, it gives you time to continue creating your Zentangle inspired art pieces to show.

WHAT I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND:  This show is not just for those of you who think you are “qualified”.  This show is to share Zentangle inspired art with the City of Wichita.  Many times the voice in our head tells us that our work isn’t “good enough” or “I’m not as talented as so and so”, or “I don’t have enough of a creative mind to share what I’ve done.”  Well, let me tell you, do not to listen to that negative part of your brain!!

JUST DO IT! You would not believe how creating a small sketch, coloring in a coloring book, trying your hand at a painting, scribbling in a notebook, or making something out of twistee ties helps to fuel your creative brain and fuel your life to help you with the choices you make.  So start making your Zentangle inspired art pieces, register for the show and begin to find your artist within!!

Click here for all the info you need!  Fun, food, drink, and prizes will all be part of the show…so join us and also help us get the word out by inviting to the event (here’s the Facebook invite).

Hula Hannah

Hula Hannah

In my February 4, 2015, post I mentioned that I am on the Creatively Fit journey with my own artist within.  I’m almost finished with my certification and want to share part of that journey with you.  In my earlier post my “aha” moment was to “be in the moment” — a revelation to me.  I am so enjoying just painting and playing now, and watching as my artist within becomes stronger with each passing day.  My perspective on things has changed and my imagination has begun to become a bit more imaginative.  I admit I still have a lot to learn. Whitney Freya’s book, “the artist within – A Guide to Becoming Creatively Fit” is a wonderful book, full of insight, storytelling, creative exercises and principles. Going through her program and book has been amazing and I learn something new each day!  This year I’ve created more things than I think I’ve done in the last 20 years!  Even down to the silly little twistee tie hula lady (one of the exercises – pull out stuff from a junk draw and see what you can make).  Actually, I think she’s my favorite.  I’ve named her Hula Hannah and she sits in my dining area to remind myself to be silly and see what I can conjure up!  Such a simple little thing, but again such a revelation.

Links are included throughout this post if you want to know more, but suffice to say that I can now start sharing this artFULL and colorFULL journey with you!!  The first step will be to offer what is commonly called “Paint and Sip” classes.  These are painting classes, which I’m calling Viva Art & Vino, that last around two hours or so — you bring your own bottle of wine, a friend or two or three, and have a fun evening of painting, socializing, and embracing your personal creativity. No previous experience necessary!!  The second portion of the journey will be Viva Art & Life, for those of you who are interested in exploring and utilizing art as a form of life inquiry, to better understand yourself and others, and find out what it is you really, really want – to be, to do, to have. Again, no previous experience necessary!!  The Viva Art & Life series will be session programs, anywhere from a weekend to a series of classes for a certain number of weeks.  There will be more on that in my upcoming blog posts.

As of right now the Viva Art & Vino classes will start on June 18, 2015, and will be held at Three Pea Consignment, 4729 E Central, Wichita, KS (Southwest corner of Oliver and Central).  Take one or take ’em all.  I’ll send out an email and blog post letting you know where you can see what paintings we’ll be doing, what dates they’ll be offered, and additional information.  That should occur by the beginning of June.  I’m currently working on the website and it should be up shortly.

A portion of the class proceeds will be donated to Circles USA – Wichita, a national nonprofit that is helping to resolve poverty.  Special store discounts will also be offered if you find something in the Three Pea you just gotta have!

Mar6

Zentangle Art Show In Wichita!!

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Please note that “ZenXpressions: A Showcase of Zentangle Inspired Art” has had a date change.  The new Final Friday date will be September 25, 2015.  All other information is correct.  Thank you for your understanding in this!  B.

IT’S HAPPENING!!  THE COMMITMENT HAS BEEN MADE!!

On Final Friday, July 31, 2015, in Downtown Wichita, Kansas, at Tessera Fine Art Gallery there WILL BE AN ART SHOW dedicated to all the Zentangle enthusiasts in the Wichita and surrounding area!

Sandy Hunter, CZT

Sandy Hunter, CZT

This art show is going to get the word out to the people of Wichita that Zentangle is taking over!!  Let’s show them what Zentangle is all about!!  My goal is to share the wonderful world we have become involved in and let them know that you don’t even have to know how to draw a straight line to be an artist!  We are ALL ARTISTS, with creativity inside of us just waiting to be nurtured and let out.

Think about it…how many of you, when you first came to learn Zentangle said, “I can’t draw”, “I’m not an artist”, “I haven’t done any art since high school”, or…. “I remember loving to create when I was younger, but family and work got in the way and I just didn’t have time”, “I wanted to be creative but I never thought I was good enough”, “It takes too much money to buy materials”, or some other such thing??  But when you sat down and someone shared with you, you found a voice, a wellspring within you, a gleam of light showing you the way, and you realized that, “YES!  I can create this wonderful piece of art!”  Remember the fun and joy?  How we looked at each other’s tiles and were so excited to see how everyone’s was different and unique?

Brenda Lee Shaver, CZT

Brenda Lee Shaver, CZT

I am so looking forward to having you participate in this great event.

CLICK HERE to find all the information you’ll need to participate and/or attend the show.  SCROLL DOWN the page to download the event entry forms (there are two pages).

I’m counting on you to share with others you know who are Zentangle enthusiasts.  Invite friends, family, and coworkers to the show.  Share it on Facebook and other social media to help me spread the word.  I could always use some volunteers as there is a lot to be done.  If everyone can do one little thing, we can get this big thing done!!  All my volunteers will get recognition!

LET’S REACH FOR THE STARS!!

Happy Tangling!  Bonnie