Tag Archives: how to zentangle

California Here We Come…Zentangle® & FloraBunda

December 31, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View YouTube, a simple ink blowing process to add variety to your Zentangle art.

2015 has been a wonderful time to visit with family. Cindy Shepard’s family is so large that she hosted two family Christmas banquets in her home. Now that the holidays are over, it is time to think toward 2016.

Excitement is in the air!

In January, Cindy and I will attend CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) convention in Anaheim, CA to demonstrate ‘Zentangle® – Notan-style’ from her new book, Zentangle 12, in the Fox Chapel Publishing booth #1545. If you are attending stop by from 12:00-2:00 on Saturday Jan 9 or from 10:00-12:00 on Sunday Jan 10 to let Cindy show you how.

In California Cindy is excited to see all the new products. She loves cheerful colors and loves to create fun whimsical designs. She also looks forward to taking a collage class with Julie Fei Fan Balzer at Crescendoh studio.

Whimsical designs are Cindy’s favorite. She says that they cheer up her life and make her days happier. Visit Cindy’s website, she also teaches at Sparks Creative Arts Studio.

Zentangle pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #158

Daiz

Zen-Notans and New Techniques for Zentangle®

November 11, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, Zentangle Notan – Black and White, Cindy Shepard CZT shows you how to incorporate the art of Notan with tangle patterns.

Bring your Zentangle Art to life! My talented mixed media friend Cindy Shepard CZT mixes ‘Notan’ with Zentangle patterns for a great new look… ‘Zen-Notan’ designs in black&white. I am hooked – it is a perfect and beautiful pairing for Zentangle.

Notan is the Japanese word for dark/light, it celebrates the beauty of black and white and the interaction between the two. The Yin and Yang symbol is an example of this mirror image… one black and one white.

So how do you get started?... All you need is paper, scissors and a glue stick. The simplicity of Notan paper cutting combined with Micron black pens is addictive (a calm, positive, and good addiction, I might add).

The latest release in the Zentangle book series… ‘Zentangle 12 – New & Advanced Techniques in Black and White’ is available on Amazon.com. Cindy and I share great ideas for Zen-Notan, punching, torn paper, stencils, masking, forks, scratching, ink blots, new looks, and activities for Zentangle art. You won’t want to miss this fascinating book filled with 30 new tangles as well as creative ways to tangle in “black and white.”

Zentangle pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #155

Artwork by Darla Bostick

Tree Rings

‘FloraBunda’ Art Doodles and Coloring

October 26, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, – create a beautiful silhouette framed paper doll using brush markers, colored pencils and FloraBunda patterns.

I love art… Painting, drawing, coloring, Zentangle®, doodling... all of these are my relaxing pastimes. New books feature ‘FloraBunda’ style art doodling and contain hundreds of smallish, simple floral, forest and garden images.

Right in tune with the craze for coloring. ‘FloraBunda’ is perfect for teens and adults. Just anyone who enjoys art – or anyone who wants to learn a simple way to be an artist will enjoy art doodling. With only a few basic supplies, it is enjoyable to draw and color art doodles. Draw your own coloring pages, gift cards, notebook covers and decorate almost anything with a breath of fresh air and art.

‘FloraBunda’ Style – a big book of over 100 pages is a must-have inspiration book for every art library. The pages are packed with art doodles and coloring pages… how to art doodle, how to color, what to use, projects to decorate, and more. Enjoy every page!

Zentangle pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #154

Dandy

Color – Tangle – Craft – Doodle

October 1, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, how to draw beautiful FloraBunda patterns, plus tips for adding lucious color with Koi markers and Prismacolor pencils.

Inspiring art and original designs! A copy of the premiere issue of ‘DO’ MAGAZINE arrived on my doorstep. I love this innovative magazine!

What?… another magazine? Oh but wait, this magazine is special. Almost 100 pages chock-full of inspiration. It contains coloring pages of fabulous inspiring designs, special tips for arts and crafts, and articles on some of my favorite art friends… Marie Browning and Joanne Fink. There are also features on artists that I admire… Ben Kwok, Valentina Harper, Kati Erney, Thaneeya McArdle and Jess Volinski.

And a surprise article on pages 42-43 about me and my art. There is also information about FloraBunda garden art. Add this issue to your stash of “valuable and inspiring”. It is available with magazines at your local store – or by subscription from Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Have fun!

Zentangle pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #153

Squigs

Zentangle® and Gelli Arts®

July 22, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, how to combine Gelli Arts® printing and tangle patterns.

No trip to Santa Fe would be complete without shopping at the Artisan store… their selection of art supplies is totally inspiring.

Zentangle books… authored by me!

When I walked in the Artisan store, they had a display of my books laid out on a table. Even I was impressed with the selection. Since I work on designing one book at a time, I rarely see the collection laid out together. It seems unbelievable that I have authored over 12 books on the theme of Zentangle.

Tangled birds with Gelli printing.

I love the enthusiastic students who attend my classes. This year we had fun using Gelli Arts printing plates to add color and texture to paper tiles. Then we added Tangle patterns in the white bird. It is always fun to see how student artists draw the patterns… each bird is unique.

Little window cards with Peek-a-Boos.

Ever since I developed the Peek-a-Boo Tangle cards, they have been one of my favorite projects to teach. Every one of the designs is a fun and colorful surprise.

Enthusiastic Zentangle students.

The smiles on the faces of students make teaching classes worthwhile.

Zentangle pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #151

by Magdalena Muldoon CZT

Interweave

The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. and is used with permission. Learn more at zentangle.com.
Gelli Art® is a registered trademark of Gelli Arts® LLC and is used with permission. Learn more at gelliarts.com.

Visit to Taos

June 18, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, inspirations for adding tangle patterns to words, quotes and sentiments in a variety of fun ways.

I am blessed in so many ways. My sister Amy lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I visit her every year.

I love the white cross and arch.

We climbed up the ladder to see how it was to live in the cave 1200 years ago.

We both love the Native American culture, adobe architecture, historic value, and wonderful artwork in this area of the United States. This year my other sister Brendy joined us.

We visited the oldest continuously inhabited town in the United States.

We felt like the three musketeers as we toured Taos Pueblo, Bandolier Monument and Ruins, and just generally had fun catching up, visiting and enjoying each other’s company.

Blue sky, blue doors, ladders… everything in Taos is beautiful.

Zentangle pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #150

by Julie Evans

Firecracker

Sketches of a Rustic Town

March 30, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube , learn some fast and easy ways to incorporate journaling into your everyday life, create calender pages and discover how to pack light for travel journals.

Sketching and drawing is one of my favortie pastimes. My husband James (he likes to sketch also) took me to an almost-ghost town in Texas, Patillo.

The old store with the cow skull, buckets, soda bottles, ice chest, old windows, feed signs and rustic demeanor was my favorite. I borrowed a stool to sit and sketch. I loved the door with the OPEN sign… tape and chalkboard for messages. Definitely it was not open on this day, and since no hours were posted, I’m not sure just when it might be open.

It all added to the ambiance of horses grazing in the field and birds singing in the trees. Speaking of bird watching… a beautiful red cardinal was busy watching all that was going on.

I have been keeping journals for over 15 years. My book ‘Art Journals and Sketchbooks’ tells my philosophy of keeping a sketch journal and gives dozens of sample ideas.

Zentangle pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #149

Suzanne McNeill CZT

Manholes

Heavy Metal – Reactive Paints

March 13, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, Cindy Shepard CZT creates a tangled bird using gesso, Inktense pencils and an old book page. Fun!!

My classes for ‘Heavy Metal’ – also called Reactive Metal paints – are always popular. We experiment with turning almost everything… from Art Journals to hearts, and from canvas to jewelry into surfaces covered with genuine metals.

I use four VerDay reactive metal paints: iron, copper, bronze, and brass. An old paintbrush works well to apply the initial coat. Next I apply Patina (special reactive solution) with a spray bottle. The solution reacts to make the genuine metal particles ‘bloom’ into amazing colors… iron turns a rusty orange, brass to green, bronze to blue, copper to verdgris in only a few minutes.

I was honored to be invited to demonstrate the techniques to the Mid-Cities Art Club. Enthusiastic members were fascinated by the outcome. My favorite VerDay reactive paints come from TENSecondsstudio.com . My book ‘Rust and Patina’ tells all about using the paints, and gives dozens of sample ideas of what you can do with the metal paints.

Zentangle Pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #148

Suzy Allen CZT

Pinball

Creative Time in the Studio

January 25, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, make your own mask and stencil from Post-it notes to create beautiful Zentangle® inspired bird tags using pan pastels and Dylusions ink sprays.

I love being creative … almost anything will do – painting, sculpting, sketchbooks, drawing, Zentangle, and well just almost everything. And attached to that love, some of my favorite passions are designing art books for FoxChapel Publishing Co. and teaching art classes.

Paula Pillow and I belong to the American Penwomen Association. Every year, our chapter hosts two invitational art shows. This year I exhibited Zentangle and Intuitive paintings, and Paula displayed her large paintings of layered gears.

In 2012 I opened an art studio. We offer open classes and art events, and participate in Gallery night here in Texas. Barbara Buechley is a wonderful artist and has taken several classes in the studio, here she is painting. Our teaching studio and art gallery – SparksStudioArt.com is located close to my home.

Check out Barbara’s wonderful Zentangle drawings above. While she was recovering from surgery, she had days on end to tangle away. Her colorful cards and bookmarks are always appreciated as token gifts of friendship.

Zentangle Pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #146

Margaret Bremner CZT

Blooms

On My Way to CHA

January 6, 2015 Suzanne McNeill

View a YouTube, follow this easy process to weave a beautiful Zentangle® card.

Being creative and developing new patterns and projects is my passion… nearly anything is inspiring. CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) comes once a year. This is where art and craft shops find out all about new products and techniques.

At the January 2015 convention in California, I love meeting up with long-time friends, taking classes, seeing everything new, and demonstrating new ideas. This year I will do demos and make&take projects on four of my favorite things… Zentangle® tags and accordions, Gelli Arts® printing, handmade Visual Journal books, and Reactive metal paints.

If you come to CHA, please come visit me at the Design Originals – Fox Chapel Publishing booth #1421. My demos are on Sunday 12:00-1:30 and on Monday 9:00-12:00. The dates for CHA this year are January 10th thru the 13th.

In 2014, I authored a few NEW books. I love designing books and am fascinated by new techniques. Come and see these books… as always, I like to pack my books with tons of information and inspiration. I’ll have them with me in California – or you can check them out on Amazon.com.

Zentangle Pattern, enjoy and create!!

Zentangle #145

T.J. Johnmartin CZT

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