"Zentangle Untangled"

Sure, I have done a lot of doodling in my journals.  My favorite technique lately has been incorporating what I like to call "Zen Dots'  into my journals, as shown on this journal spread I did a few days ago.  I have tried many variations of Zentangling and done quite a few into my journals.  Zentangling is so very meditative.

Which now brings me to the true purpose of this post.  Awhile back Kass Hall asked me if I’d be interested in  reviewing her upcoming book “Zentangle Untangled” and join in on the blog hop. I agreed, but was not prepared for the absolutely breathtaking book that later came my way.  I was floored by what I have seen in this book. I have seen a several books on Zentangling, but Kass has a fresh approach and has certainly taken doodling and Zentangles to a whole new level.

This book not only includes very clear and easy to understand directions for getting started, but also how to incorporate Zentangling into other work.  In this book Kass covers everything from the history of Zentangling, some basic color theory, materials,  how to include color into Zentangles and Art Journaling, to name a few. There are just so many options to explore. The photos are crisp and colorful and the directions clearly written and easy to understand. 

And now I'd like to share some of my work including doodling and Zentangling. Above is a photo of my first introduction to Zentangling.  These are Artist Trading Cards I made on the official Zentangle tiles. This is when I realized I had to do more.  In fact if you scroll down you'll see several other examples of how I have been incorporating Zentangles into my journals since.

 A journaled Zentangle page



A 3-D Zentangle page



 Zen dots



A shaped journal page with a Zentangle flair

A Zentangled Octopus



Zentangled Mandala with wire beaded edge



Please join us for the "Zentangle Untangled" Blog Hop

Some of these blogs will be hosting giveaways, but all will be including their take on Zentangling.  What a variety!  Be sure to check them all out!

Monday July 23 – START – Kass Hall

Tuesday July 24 – Jill Berry

Wednesday July 25 – Rachel Grieg

Thursday July 26 – Sandra Strait

Friday July 27 – Melanie Testa

Saturday July 28 – Ingrid Dijkers - You are here!

Monday July 30 – Pam Garrison

Tuesday July 31 – Genevieve Crabe
Wednesday August 1 - Traci Bautista

Thursday August 2 – Fran Meneley

Friday August 3 – Jane Davenport
Saturday August 4 – FINISH – Kass Hall (major prize giveaway)

Zentangle ATCs

I meet (when I can) with a small ATC group once a month that usually has a fun little project we all can work on during the meeting. Last week Diana Hirsch supplied us with the official Zentangle "tiles" including a pen and demonstrated several patterns of Zentangle. I love that they are exactly ATC size. Apparently there are 109 official basic patterns, each with their own name. Seems to be more to it than just mere doodling ... who knew?

Zentangle Mandala

This is yet another contribution the the Hawaiian collaborative I am involved with. The theme was "Mandala". I am trying to get a bit ahead of schedule with this collaborative, as the next few months will be very hectic. Lots of plans for making new Journals, planning new Workshops and to convert one of the spare bedrooms into an office for just my "stuff", no longer having to share with Studio Space and the family computer room! Including the wired beading this Mandala is just under 8 1/2" in diameter.

An Octopus's Garden

I finally found one of the finishing touches for the armature on top of this book. A little metal Octopus to go behind the magnifying glass.

I have to admit I am really pleased with this variation of the Zentangle, I like the idea of combining it with journaling. A few more pages to finish up and this journal will be filled to capacity. I still have far too many ideas that just aren't going to fit in here. I suppose I will have to come up with a second volume.

Zentangles

I am taking out a little breathing time from the fairy making. I have decided to do a little "Zentangling" as it is very meditative and relaxing. My inspiration for the hands are from seeing some of the beautiful henna patterns done on peoples hands out at the Renaissance Festival.

The two spreads below are still in progress. I almost hate to journal on these pages as I already like them as they are. Perhaps I won't.

My Zentangle Journal to this point can be seen here. ... Now back to making Fairies.

Zentangle Journal

This is a new journal that I made for my new obsession of making Zentangles. It's a re-purposed loose leaf binder as have been my last several journals. This one differs in that it's a leather bound binder. I could not (nor did I want to) cover it completely with collage. This binder is also smaller than the others, being 7 1/2" X 9 1/2" and 1 1/2" thick. This seems the perfect size for Zentangles... not too large to be over whelming and not too small so that the detailing has to be made so very small.
The leather covers were a bit flimsy to my liking so I tore the covers off an old book and hand stitched them to the leather covers. The letters are metal and sewn to the red book covers. On the spine I have done some beading including some tear drop shaped mini Zentangles encased in glass and soldered. A bit of black leather was outfitted with snaps for a closure on the journal. All photos enlarge to show detail.
As always my frustration level soars when I have to take photos. The above photos are not true to the book at all. After about 100 photos, this is the best I could come up with. I have much better results when I can just cram stuff in the scanner.

Another Zentangle

I am truly becoming obsessed with theses Zentangles. I have done 3 different ones in 3 different Journals and came to realize I needed to start yet another Journal to do nothing but Zentangles in. I have already constructed the journal and should have some photos up in a few days. I have again gone with a re-purposed ring binder, but this is a smaller leather bound binder.

Zentangle Octopus

Yet another Zentangle. This is in my "Octopus's Garden" Altered Notebook. These Zentangles are proving to be very addictive!

Zentangle

Geez.... Just what I need, another obsession! I have been making these Zentangle style circles and shapes all day. Guess I'll have to continue to collage them into my journals now. I just finished up a pretty wonderful looking Octopus. That will go in my "Octopus's Garden" Journal. I should be posting some more photos within a few days.