Eighteen...

Today is a BIG day... My baby is EIGHTEEN!!! How did this happen so very quickly?! 

I am so VERY proud of Cami! She is a constant inspiration to me... She is witty, smart, a talented performer and artist, generous, thoughtful, level headed, sweet and sassy, tough, determined, fun-to-be-around, a great friend, a good listener, gorgeous... and I just can't believe that she's my daughter. I'm so lucky.

6 months old and crawling! (Walking at 9 months!) Feels like yesterday...

Nearly 18 years later...

This past weekend was the first competition of the season for the high school dance team Cami is on... It was so much fun to watch her perform. I love seeing the joy with which she moves across the floor. She and the team did GREAT! Here are some shots from her solo...

Leaping into her first solo of the competition season...

Love those lines!

Another lovely leap...

and stretch...

Such a performer!

Cami... I love you more than words could ever express. I know that whatever you decide to do in your life, you will accomplish it with determination and grace. I couldn't be more proud.

A Blustery Day...

As I drove home from yoga, I admired all the leaves blowing around in front of me. Yellow, oranges, and reds moving around in unison... It was beautiful. I wished it was possible to sketch while I drove, alas, probably not a very good idea. :)

After pulling into the driveway and getting out of the car,  I found this gorgeous leaf on the driveway. I immediately knew that this would be my object to sketch for the colored pencil assignment in Koosje Koene "klass" this week. My reminder of a lovely "Blustery Day."

"Blustery Day" {Colored Pencil} SBS Week 2

I so appreciate your comments! Have a wonderful day!

Sketchbook Beginnings to Draw & Feel

I started a new venture this week... Sketchbook Skool! It's my goal to complete all three courses (kourses) this year. I started out with "Beginnings." The artist teacher for this week is Danny Gregory. Oh. My. It is so inspiring to watch him draw, peek inside his art journals, and just plain listen to him talk about art. I am so happy I decided to add this to the things I want to accomplish this year. (I definitely have an art filled year planned between Zentangle®, Sketchbook Skool, and continuing work on my calligraphy!) 

One of the assignments this week was called "Draw & Feel." You were to find something that had meaning for you and sketch it. You were encouraged to try the technique that Danny shared. This was to begin with a watercolor wash, then "eyeball" the shape of your item and use gouache to create the shape of it (basically painting it before drawing it), and THEN you would use pen to outline draw over the shape you painted and add in the details. The rule for this exercise was no pencil sketching allowed! Just start drawing with the pen. There was a time when this would have paralyzed me... What?! NO PENCIL??? But that was before I started creating Zentangle art. It's made me comfortable to just pick up a pen and draw. I knew any "mistake" would just be an opportunity to be creative.

It took me a couple of days (okay... I did have other things going on!) to figure out what I would draw... I was stuck, I wanted to choose something that had meaning to me. Then one day I was speaking to Cami in her room, I looked at her walls, and I knew! Worn out pointe shoes line the top of her walls... It was perfect! I borrowed a pair. I was set... and then... I had to get over that freezing of putting the first mark in my new Sketchbook Skool sketchbook. Why is this so hard?! I took a deep breath and went for it! 

One of Cami's MANY pairs of worn out pointe shoes!

I decided to try the technique that Danny demonstrated. I began with the watercolor wash, realized I didn't have any gouache so I subbed acrylic paint. A couple of coats gave me the opaqueness I was looking for. I really like this technique! It was fascinating! After giving my page plenty of time to dry I picked up my trusty micron and began drawing the outline of the pointe shoe. I was very surprised by how closely my "eyeballed" shape ended up matching the drawn shape. I filled in the details of the shoes and then used watercolor to shade. 

Beginnings... Watercolor wash and a quick acrylic paint shape study.

Working on watercolor shading...

I decided I wanted to have my journaling "dance" across the page. I used a piece of scratch paper to test out what I wanted to write and how I could make it flow to fit all the prose and the sketch. 

Complete! Cami's Pointe Shoes : Determination

I am so excited about keeping an ongoing sketchbook for the very first time (one that actually documents my life, the important and not-so-important things, an art journal sketchbook)! Danny... thank you for taking me on this journey. The whole process, as well as the finished art stirred up lots of emotions. I am so grateful.

Although it took me a long time to finish this assignment... I enjoyed every. single. moment. 

I so appreciate all who stop by and visit... I LOVE when you leave me a comment! Thanks so much!

Celebrating a Fresh New (Studio) Year

Okay... I have to start this post with saying that my family was tired of my art supplies over running the house... The latest place they had overtaken was the dining room table. That was where I would do my tangling and drawing. The reason? My studio was a... MESSSSSS!!! It was overwhelming to me and I just had no idea where to start. Plus, I just couldn't imagine drawing at the same desk as my computer, too distracting. So... how to fix this terrible situation? 

Before (Honestly, this is a cleaned up before... Norm threatened to call Hoarders on me.)

Instead of complaining, my thoughtful husband, gifted me a newly organized art studio/office for my birthday!! He measured off my small room to see what we could fit in it. He created detailed schematics and researched, checked to see what I envisioned, and researched again. 

The scaled to size plan that Norm made... (He's pretty awesome!)

We took everything OUT of my office and gifted all existing furniture to my eldest daughter who had just moved into a larger apartment with her boyfriend. They kindly agreed to take it all! The only furniture item that remained was a book shelf. Leila was also very excited to inherit art supplies that I frankly had TOO much of (I know... blasphemy... but I truly needed to get rid of some stuff). 

All the boxes arrive... My studio condensed!

Norm ever so patiently helped me go through MOUNDS of stuff and put together ALL of the furniture that he purchased from IKEA. I am so thrilled with how it has all turned out! I love that I am starting the New Year with an organized space that will accommodate all my projects! I will no longer have to pack up the dining room and hide my drawing stuff when we have guests! YIPPEE!! I have two desks... one for computer/sewing/silhouette and the other dedicated to drawing/art.

The panoramic shot...

Little treasures and quilt corner

Right side of office

Drawing desk with lanterns

View from my art desk

Computer/Sewing/Silhouette desk and printer corner

Bookshelf and closet view

Looking into studio from doorway

Leila added a wonderful gift to my birthday studio by completing a wall garden that she created out of a pallet. She painted it, created plant shelves, and planted it with my favorite... succulents! Now as I sit at my drawing desk in front of the window, I have a lovely view of the thoughtful beautiful, garden she created for me! 

LOVE my new succulent garden!

Cami completed this awesome birthday with a certificate she created that stated she will join me at a Bikram Yoga class... (I ALWAYS bug her about this! She joined me for a couple of weeks one summer before heading off to Joffrey Ballet School... now she's afraid of the heat!) It made me very happy!

You have to love the, "USE IT WISELY!"

My talented mom made me the cutest ornaments of Clark and our angel, Walter, for my birthday! I had them on the tree but will keep them in my office until next Christmas time. I was really spoiled as you can see! 

I am so grateful for my supportive family! Thank you for helping me find a way to better organize all my supplies... I LOVE my new studio! I feel like it's waiting with open arms every time I walk past the door. 

I'm looking forward to creating a lot of art and teaching more Zentangle® classes this year. It's wonderful to start the New Year with a fresh space. I'll also be participating this year in a couple of art journaling projects and will look forward to posting more about that soon. I hope your New Year is filled with health, happiness, and lots of art! 

A special thank you to all who take the time to leave me comments... I so appreciate it!

Devastating Loss...

I've been gone awhile... On November 10th, my brother-in-law unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind his wife and two young children. It's been difficult to come to grips with... especially seeing the pain and sorrow that my sister-in-law, nephew, and niece are going through on a daily basis. It's heartbreaking.

Robert's memorial service was beautiful. The legacy he leaves is notable... but I will always remember his kindness, honesty, gentleness, determination, intelligence, love for his family, and sense of humor. These are some of the wonderful traits I see in the children, and this is where I see Robert's legacy living on. When it comes down to it those are the things that are important. 

The girls and I took time to have a tribute Zentangle® class with some of our family. We used the string "R" in memory of Robert. I hope the meditation of Zentangle will continue to be a comfort to our family members...

In Memory of Robert...

I thank Robert, for the wonderful memories of our families spending time together, and for the gift of reconnecting once again with loved ones. You will be sorely missed...

My Challenge of THX...

You know what?! It really helps to know what the challenge is going to be ahead of time... This will be one of the first (and probably only) times that I will be one of the first submitters on Laura's Mr. Linkey list.

I am so thankful that Laura asked me to be a substitute challenge maker on her absolutely, fabulous, amazing blog while she is caring for sweet Artoo, who is recovering from surgery. (Laura, I'm sending more wishes and prayers for his quick recovery.) I so enjoyed the process of coming up with a challenge AND tying it to something very important to me. {You can read the post and all the challenge info here.}

Weekly Challenge #193 : TriTangle : Trio, Huggins, & Xyp (THX)

You can find the step outs for these awesome patterns by clicking the links below...

Trio (pattern by CZT, Hanny Waldburger) (my Swiss friend) :)

Huggins (by Zentangle)

Xyp (by Zentangle)

I really enjoyed having the extra week to figure out how I would draw my second tile... I planned on having it done early in the week, but once again, l am finishing late Sunday night... but the funny thing is... it's early!  The challenge hasn't gone live yet! Crazy! I LIKE IT! 

I imagined, as I created both of these tiles, Huggins representing the solid yet flexible form of gratitude, Trio as the love that emerges from gratitude, and Xyp framing it all or holding it all together. That's why I titled these tiles as I did: Spreading Gratitude, and Gratitude. 

So here is my second tile using this week's challenge.... "Spreading Gratitude"

Weekly Challenge #193 : "Spreading Gratitude"

... and for reference here is the tile that I submitted with the challenge... "Gratitude"

Original Weekly Challenge #193 Tile : "Gratitude"

As a final note... I want to express my THX for my family. I feel so blessed to have their continual support, understanding, patience, advice, company, encouragement, honesty, loyalty, joy, laughter, and love in my life. I am grateful for the inspiration they give me to be a better person. 

I hope that everyone enjoys this month of gratitude and thanksgiving. Thank you for spending a little time with me... I hope you enjoy the challenge! (If you have a moment please leave me a comment... I'd love to hear from you!)

Tangling Around...

October... a perfect month for tangling on one of the awesome, faux pumpkins from Michaels! I've been working on this off and on for the past few weeks. It was so fun (and challenging) to work on a round surface. I used the Sakura IDentipen and a Copic grey pen for shading.

I taught a class early this month using these pumpkins. I prepped them with chalkboard paint for each participant. This chalkboard area can be changed as wanted by using chalk or chalk pens. Draw in a jack-o-lantern face, write a message, or a menu... endless possibilities! I know I will be happy to use this pumpkin year after year.

Finally finished! A Zentangle Inspired Chalkboard Pumpkin!

Pumpkin Bottom

Left Side

Left Back

Right Back

Right Side

A Zentangle Inspired Chalkboard Tangled Pumpkin!

I had to get in the Halloween spirit with my nails too! I decided to go sugar skull style... dia de los muertos with a little accent of black and white damask!

Sugar Skull Nail Art

I have a couple more pumpkins prepped and ready to go... Maybe I'll be able to create my very own Zentangle Inspired pumpkin patch!

Another Challenge-ING Week

I'm back to my old ways... posting at the last possible moment! I guess I'm just happy I had a chance to participate in the Diva's Weekly Challenge again! YAY! This is Challenge #184 : ING. The funny thING is I just posted a photo I drew of ING last week along with the UMT Challenge. I briefly considered being v-e-r-y lazy and reposting it since I knew I had a busy week... but. that. would. be. cheating. and. that. would. not. be. good. I wanted to experiment  with the pattern a little more than I have, so it was fun to fashion it into a frame with a combination of large and small zig zags. I enjoyed filling it with a variety of tangles; paradox, crescent moon, and some tripoli inspired fillers. It seemed appropriate to call this one "Frame-ING."

Diva's Weekly Challenge #184 : "Frame-ING"

Cami and I taught a Beyond the Basics String Theory Class this week. I had so much fun trying to figure out what my special gift would be to the students attending this class... I considered many, many options... and then one day I was sitting outside admiring my collection of beach rocks that I keep in a basket... that's when I knew what I would do! I selected a variety, washed them well, painted on a sealer, and then I watched the bijou video again! I took notes of all the bijou-isms that appeared. So now... my continuing students (intro class students receive a name place card-click here for post) will have the opportunity to collect a new tangled rock with bijou-ism at each class they attend! Here is a sampling...

Bijou-isms : Student Gifts

This week's class was very small, but AWESOME! We LOVE our students! The kindest, most inspiring women! Here are a couple photos of class mosaics and art that they completed...

Gorgeous, aren't they?!

This is the Zentangle® Class Postcard I posted earlier this month at the yoga studio. I made a little business card holder that is next to it. 

Okay... the best for last... Here are the cookies I baked for class this week... (by the way... feel free to take one, but one MUST be saved for the Duchess... I promised her last week...) 

Yummmmmyyyy...

These are the super, delicious Peanut Butter S'more Cookies! Thanks for stopping by... enjoy the cookies! These are best with a nice, cold, glass of milk. There's plenty of delicious milk in the fridge... help yourself!

Challenge-ING

Whaaatttt... It's Friday and I'm posting a challenge... I know... kinda crazy... I am normally one of the very last to post on the weekend. I am happy I had a chance to start on this one during the week! This is the Diva's Challenge #183 : UMT X-Did pattern by Annette Carlo. I enjoyed playing around with this pattern and took some creative license to remove it from it's "frame." I alternated patterns and had the lines connect at each "X." I liked the resulting flow and thought this finished tile looked like jewels... so it's "Bejeweled."

I really enjoy participating in these challenges... They encourage me to step out of my comfort zone... to try something I might shy away from... I sit down, start drawing, and then I soon forget all about that I was feeling uncertain and intimidated. Thank you so much Laura!

Here is my version of X-Did:

Weekly Challenge #183 : "Bejeweled"

I was so excited to see the launch of the step out for the newly released tangle, ING! I was so fortunate to be an attendee at one of the CZT seminars this summer where Rick, Maria, and Molly introduced this pattern... It is definitely amaz-ING! It's another wonderful tangle with limitless opportunities... Thank you Zentangle®!

Our family went on a relax-ING vacation last month at the beach. I was able to capture a photo of our newest celebrity catch-ING some rays... So here's "Play-ING Around."

"Play-ING Around"

Thanks so much for stopping by... I hope you grabbed one of the cookies on the kitchen table... they taste ever so good with the cinnamon vanilla tea. (I'd love to hear from you!)

Paths and Classes and Waves...

I am a little slow in getting to the Diva's challenge this week... Luckily since today is a holiday no challenge is posted, so I'm going to use this little bit of extra time to slide my entry in... Weekly Challenge #182 : Stripes. I used Hollibaugh as my string and enjoyed tangling a variety of patterns... The finished piece makes me think of "pathways." Which one would you choose to take?

"Pathways"

Cami and I taught Introduction to Zentangle® on Wednesday. It was another WONDERFUL class... I just must say... I think anyone interested in or practicing the art of Zentangle just must be the NICEST people!! I feel so very fortunate to be able to share my love of this method with others. I enjoyed creating more place cards for my students...

Tangled Name Cards

Here are a few pictures from this week's class. (I have posted September class offerings under the tab "Zentangle Class Schedule" above. Sign up and join us, if you're in our area!) I ALWAYS love seeing all the tiles put together in a mosaic! We forgot to take pictures of the second tile that was in progress... Suffice it to say, they were all AMAZING as well!

Our nice little class set up!

August 27th Class Mosaic

Oh... if you haven't seen my oh-so-awesome-new-SQUARE-business cards... check them out on my last post here!!! Yippee!!

I almost forgot! Cami and I also took a couple of hours to have lunch at the beach to watch the extra large surf roll in from a couple of hurricanes roiling around in the Pacific... It was absolutely awe-inspiring! 

Thanks so much for stopping by for a bit... (Hope you had a lovely cup of tea and a cookie!) I so appreciate it (and the comments)!