TWO NEW ZENTANGLES

DIVINE HOPE

This is my latest ZenTangle I call Divine Hope.  It was one of two that I did this past Friday while I was substituting for the art teacher at the local high school.  Students were very interested in what I was doing as I explained the concept and gave them the url where they could find out more.  For those who are interested in the concept conceived by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas click on the link above.

Yesterday I attended our monthly meeting of the Capital Region Textile Artists.  We are a group of Art Quilters always exploring the world of art quilting by learning and sharing new techniques and providing feedback to each other as we progress in our art.

BLENDING TOGETHER

I forgot to bring my newest ZenTangle to share during show and tell but I did talk about how it has helped me open up new and exciting creative ways of thinking and how I want to translate some of my tangles into art quilts.  Members listened attentively, some commenting on how they did not see the difference between doodling and the process I was explaining to them.  I explained that for me the difference was simple; doodling is mindless meanderings we tend to create while we are doing something else, like talking on the phone for example.  I think of doodling as mindless meanderings and mindless meandering is what I was very good at.  Doodling did not teach me to do anything except reinforce my lack of focus during times when I should have been quite focused.

The principles behind ZenTangle is quite the opposite.  It is purposeful, ceremonial, mindful, and extremely focused.  It is calming and a wonderful meditation practice.  When I am creating these the results are quite astonishing.  It is interesting how while I am creating a ZenTangle I don't make mistakes.  One of the key principles of ZenTangle is that there are no mistakes, just opportunities for your creation to take yet another turn that was not expected and yet belongs somehow in the overall design. It is clear to me that ZenTangle as a daily practice will raise my awareness of my art and its possibilities to its highest form possible.

QUICK HELLO

Right now I am in the middle of monitoring a sixth grade test so I thought I would take a moment to check in.  I have been thinking about what to do with my new stitch and slash project which is suppose to be a pillow in its final form.  However, I decided that if there is one thing I don't need it is another pillow so.......I decided that it will be a wall quilt.  I have so many ideas about embellishing this quilt that I don't know where to start but you can bet that there will be beads, paint, stamped images and decorative stitches somewhere in the piece.  It won't be long before you see my project although it will be in stages.  Until then......

YET ANOTHER LAYER

After peeling away the layers

Can you believe the transformation?  This is the same piece as before with several layers taken off.  Neat huh?  I love this method and I will be exploring lots more of this technique for sure.  It was so exciting to take of the different layers and see how different the piece looks now.

This one on the right is the before picture.  What a difference isn't there?  Once the piece is completely finished I will share it with you.  Until then......keep creating!

MORE STITCH AND SLASH

My first attempt

Well, I can't tell you what fun I am having doing this.  What you are looking at is four layers of fabric that have been stitched together from the back.  Once the stitching is done you then turn the piece around and begin removing layers of fabric.  You can stop removing fabric as the design begins to emerge to your liking.  It is so much fun and serves as immediate gratification.
This is a closeup of what it looks like with the first layer removed.  It is beginning to take some form but the design won't be completely apparent until all the slashing is done and then it will be on to embellishing the piece which is always my favorite part.  Stay tuned.

STITCH AND SLASH

Well, I started my Stitch and Slash class.  This is my first on-line class ever and I am very excited about it.  For those of you who don't know, Craftsy.com gives many classes in many different art/crafts.  This particular class is being given by Carol Ann Waugh.

Anyone who is a fiber artist knows she has several fabrics that are in her stash that must have been brought in by the Ugly Fabric Fairy.  I have no idea what in the world I was thinking when I bought the green and yellow bug fat quarter but it looks like it will do very nicely for this project.  I probably bought it thinking I would put it in a quilt for one of the grandchildren but I can't bring myself to think about them covering themselves up with bugs......Eeewwwwwwww.  I will post pictures as the class progresses.

GIVING THANKS

Giving a class in Embellishing

This past Thanksgiving was a wonderful one.  We spent Thursday with one of my best friends from high school.  Her home is a canvas that she is constantly adding to.  I love to spend time at her house and sit among the many clay pots, figurines and animals she has collected over the years.  My friend loves to feed the squirrels and she has one as a pet.  I can't tell the difference between her pet squirrel and the rest of them but she can.  They all have names and they come to her when she calls them.  She has two birds, two dogs, and a cat.  She loves them all and it is clear that they love her.

We then travelled to Massachusetts to visit with my sister and her family.  Every year we congregate at her house where we eat, drink and laugh the entire weekend.  This year the feast was even more impressive than the year before.  I always come home refreshed and ready for another day in my studio.  I know that I have a wonderful life filled with wonderful people who I love and who love me!  

PLAYING IN THE STUDIO

Quilt Sandwich

Yesterday I mentioned doing something with the practice machine quilting sandwiches that I have.  This is an example of what one looks like.  I have a stack of these in my scrap bin and until Saturday morning I didn't know what to do with them.  Well, last night I took out the paints that I bought at Michaels and began to doodle and paint on it.


This is what I have created so far:  I can't believe what fun I am having with this.  It isn't finished by a long shot but with the addition of thread, more paint and perhaps a little stamping, (maybe some beads?) I will have created a masterpiece!