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Saturday, July 12, 2014

An Illuminating Challenge and a Completed Project

First things first... 

This week's diva challenge #175 : UMT Crux by Henrike Bratz. This was my first opportunity to draw Crux. Wow! I LOVE it! It's such a gorgeous pattern with so many tangleations possible. I started by drawing the basic pattern in my sketchbook... 

Mystery tangle made with first attempt... and then Eureka! 
Oops! I realized I made too many diagonal lines so that practice became some other tangle! I started again and realized where I ventured off on my own. :) There we go... Much better! I then started experimenting with the pattern transitioning from small to large to small again. I also wanted it to start escaping it's grid...

Rough sketch as I played with Crux...
I looked at the rough sketch I made and decided this was the path I wanted to take with my tile this week. I loved how the design resembled some sort of lantern... Probably a fairy lantern... This means it needed a little fairy dust, prismacolor pencils! I haven't used color much in my Zentangle® Inspired Art, it was fun to incorporate a little layer of color here. I was ready to create my tile! Here is my entry...


Zentangle® Inspired Art : Weekly Challenge #175 : UMT Crux : "Illumination"
Diva's Weekly Challenge #175 : UMT Crux : "Illumination"
The process was illuminating! So I named this tile, "Illumination." Perfect in more ways than one... I think the little fairies were happy too! 

Now about my FINALLY completed project...

I feel so lucky... I was asked to create some art for the back of a business card for one of my very favorite yoga instructors. (I am a HUGE Bikram Yoga fan! It changed my life! More on that another time!) Sachie has been an inspiration and encouraging to me throughout the past two years since I first began my practice. I felt like at one point most of my major break-throughs in class were due to her corrections and supportive words. (I do love, and learn tons from ALL the instructors at the studio!! Each one has taught me something very important.) 

One day, prior to class, I shared my excitement with Sachie about attending the then upcoming Certified Zentangle® Teacher Seminar (my previous post was about this AWESOME experience). She asked what Zentangle was... I described this wonderful meditative art method and showed her a few pictures of the art I had created. She loved it and asked if I would create something for her. I felt honored. I was so happy to finally be in the position to maybe give her back a little for all she has done for me. 

I really wanted her design to be something meaningful and special to her. I asked her to think about any pattern or image that was important to her. Later that day I received a text with some photos. Here is one of the photos...

I used this kimono as inspiration for the birds
and cherry blossoms...
The kimonos were ones that Sachie's mother (she passed many years ago...) had made especially for her for her coming-of-age day. She told me that her family loved those birds. She also said that the OBI (belt) was purchased on a special trip with her grandmother to Kyoto. She asked if I could include some elements of these into the design.

I knew immediately that I would include the bird, which reminded me of a phoenix. I also felt like it was fitting for her additionally as a hot yoga teacher... We are constantly "rising from the ashes." (You definitely feel like you have combusted into a fire ball during some classes!) I also loved the flowers which resembled cherry blossoms and decided to include that element also. 

Here are the initial sketches from my little traveling sketchbook...

Kimono Bird
Initial sketch of the bird...
Sketch studies of cherry blossoms...
After drawing the birds and cherry blossoms, I froze... I had to figure out how I could add my tangles without overcoming these elements. I had ideas and I could visualize what I wanted it to look like, yet I was anxious about adding them to the piece. As Sachie had told me to "take my time," I procrastinated... and procrastinated... and procrastinated... (you get the idea). I was partially distracted by getting ready for the CZT 15 Seminar. (OKAY... I know this is another excuse!) I had to set myself a deadline. I decided upon returning from seminar, my deadline to show her the finished piece would be the next class that Sachie taught in the morning. That date was July 3rd. So... July 2nd... (funny how that works, right?!) I got right to work and finished it. YAY!!!! (Yes... I was up VERY late!!) Here it is...

Zentangle® Inspired Art : Art for Sachie
Finished art for the back of Sachie's business card...
Thursday morning I showed Sachie... I am thrilled, she absolutely LOVED it! Yippee! I am very happy with how it all came together. I feel like I was able to represent her in a very artful way. (I also acknowledge that I must set deadlines for myself...) :)

I'd love to hear from you... please leave a comment. Thanks so much for stopping by!

16 comments:

  1. Wow! Both are great pieces of art! Very creative and imaginative!

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    1. Thank you so much! I absolutely loved your challenge entry this week... the escaping crux looked like flying pieces of origami! LOVED it!

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  2. Indeed, both are very beautiful. I love the way you put the yellow behind the tangles.

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    1. Anne... thank you! I sure enjoyed your challenge piece as well!

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  3. Beautiful work on the crux! I love how you made it flow and the addition of the yellow is beautiful! The piece for your instructor is lovely! I can see why she loves it!

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    1. Such kind words... Thank you! I ALWAYS enjoy stalking your blog and looking at your wonderful art!

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  4. Love the yellow colouring behind crux and the way that you brought out the pieces from the kimono into the Zia I'm not surprised that your instructor loves it. Linda x

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    1. Thank you, Linda! It was so fun for me to check out your entry this week as well... Lovely work, as always! :)

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  5. I am fascinated to watch how you develop something. I wish I could do that instead of just zooming along with whatever pops into my head and calling it a day. That's why your work is so exceptionally beautiful.

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    1. Jean, Jean, Jean... THANK YOU! Your comments are always so encouraging and kind. I admire how you can just get right to the project at hand AND have beautiful results every time! I sometimes need to just get to it... and turn off the thinking a little! Thanks again!

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  6. Illumination is wonderful! The drawing for your Yoga instructor is quite beautiful!

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    1. Betsy... you're so sweet! Thank you! I sure enjoyed your entry! I really appreciate you leaving a comment!

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  7. These are all so very beautiful! I just love your take on Crux, very creative indeed, and your business card is delightful....great work

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    1. Hi Lila! Thank you!! Wow!! Super kind words! I just LOVED your entry, and had fun checking out your new pattern on your blog today! Thank you also for following me and posting my blog on your blog list! You're the best!

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  8. Hey Holly! I do agree on the sense of feeling of accomplishment when I complete a ZIA project. The one you made for your yoga instructor is exceptionally well. Since you've join the group on Yahoo, your version of zentangle has grown and it is very cool to see your pieces on there. You're an inspiration to me! Have a good rest of the week :)

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    1. Thanks so much Lexey! It's so nice to have you visit my blog and comment! I so appreciate your kind words, and love seeing your art on the Yahoo group as well! You're awesome! I hope you have a wonderful week also!

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Thanks for stopping by to visit... AND especially for leaving me a message! :)

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