Churchtime Tangles

I know a lot of y'all are here because of all the Zentangle things I've posted in the past. I haven't done a lot of tangling recently, but I haven't abandoned it altogether, either. I keep a sketchbook that I take with me to church and tangle in. Whenever I look back at a drawing in this sketchbook I can remember the sermon that was preached at the time!

Here are two of my churchtime tangles:

Monotangle with some aura-ing. Simple yet effective, both visually and for the purpose of
 keeping your mind on the speaker and not everything else it could be thinking about!

This one started out as an experiment with the new tangle, Rixty,
as released in the Zentangle newsletter a while back. I like it!

I decided not to shade these - partially because shading is a little too loud for church and partially because I just wanted to leave these as they are.

I hope this gives you some inspiration! What are some unusual places you've chosen to tangle in?

Orange Bird by an Orange Nerd

I know, I know. I said that since I was back in Texas from my Florida excursion (see previous blog post) I would post to the blog more often. Summer classes started, and since I was taking two of them my time was taken up by studying. It is my first time taking summer classes - I knew they moved fast, but I didn't expect them to be this fast! One of them is already over with, so now I can blog! Can I get a hoo-rah? Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled blog post:

Sunshine Tree Terrace. That was one of my favorite places in Walt Disney World. This little counter-service kiosk served deliciously refreshing items to cool you off on a hot Florida day. Ice cream cones, floats, fountain drinks, and the legendary Citrus Swirl are all offered here.

Copyright Disney

See that little bird in the illustration above? He's the real reason I love the Sunshine Tree so much! 

He's known simply as the Orange Bird. I enjoy him not just because of his obvious, overwhelming, cuteness, but also because of the interesting story behind him. 

The Orange Bird was created way back in 1970. The Florida Citrus Commission decided to sponsor the Tropical Serenade (AKA the Tiki Room) pavilion in exchange for a mascot. And so the Orange Bird could be found both in Disney World at the Sunshine Tree Terrace and on packaging and merchandise for the Florida Citrus Commission. He even had a vinyl record with a song written by the Sherman Brothers and sung by Anita Bryant that detailed his backstory.

Unfortunately the Orange Bird flew the coop when he faded into obscurity, abandoning his post in the Sunshine Tree. He made his return in the early 2000's, however, in Tokyo Disneyland when the Japanese fell in love with him. Then on April 17th, 2012, the little orange underdog was reinstated to the Terrace and returned to merchandise. He's such a neat little character. I'm glad he's back!

I found and bought the Orange Bird record on Ebay, acquiring a record player shortly thereafter so I could enjoy the musical story of my favorite WDW bird. The album cover is delightfully kitschy, with watercolor branches and flowers surrounding the bright Orange Bird. It occurred to me that the Bird himself would look great in watercolor. Lightbulb!

Copying the illustration, I began sketching Orange Bird on paper. Here's the progression:

Initial sketch.

Lightened sketch so pencil lines won't show through watercolor.

Then I broke out the watercolor pencils and began coloring. 

Almost there...

Orange Bird-ception!

All done.

Before I knew it, a watercolor Orange Bird appeared! I just love him. Now I'm thinking I need to do a paper-pieced version. Then a digital illustration.  He's such a simple character that there are so many opportunities!

As much as I love my Orange Bird painting, I know there are others who would enjoy him a lot too. So I've decided to sell this picture on Ebay. Here's a link to the auction if you're interested:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Disney-Orange-Bird-Inspired-Watercolor-/251298974679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a82960bd7

I'll be back soon with some things I've been designing! Until then, blessings to you.

Zentangle in Motion 2

That's right, faithful readers, newcomers, and everyone in between: Zentangle in Motion 2 is here! I've promised here and there that it was coming, that if I had time I would do it, and I have! I absolutely love how it turned out, and I hope you enjoy it too. So without further ado, I bring to you, Zentangle in Motion 2!

If you remember the original Zentangle in Motion, you'll remember how choppy it was, especially in comparison with part 2. I sped things up to 12 frames per second, which means each second of the video is comprised of 12 individual photographs. Basically I did a lot more snapping this time around - in fact, a bit too much! On some portions (like the entire "presenting" scene, the cursive "Zentangle", and adding all the lines in Meer), I wanted it to go faster and ended up taking out some pictures to achieve that result. 

Another change between part 1 and part 2 is that I did the Zentangle in part 2 on a 5.5" x 5.5" piece of paper, rather than the standard 3.5" x 3.5" tile. I did make sure to use the same paper as the regular tiles, though. Love that paper!

I think my favorite parts of the video are when sections fill up with ink, like Beeline and Jonqal. Those sections are also among the most mind boggling to produce, since I have to fill in a small section of each shape, snap a picture, fill in a space, snap a picture. But if I wasn't paying attention I'd lose track of which sections I'd already filled in for the current frame, forcing me to look back at the camera screen. But it was worth it!

Actual frame of the finished Zentangle from the video.

Another interesting difference between 1 and 2 is how I produced it. In part 1 I started with a blank piece of paper and let whatever happened happen, true to Zentangle form. However, pausing to take a picture after every single penstroke allows way too much time to analyze and think about what to do next. It's hard to be sporadic and true to the Zentangle method. I knew something had to change for part 2, so instead of starting from scratch I decided to copy a tangle created specifically for the video. Below you can see the video version and the version I started out with:

The video version is on the left, and the one I started out with is on the right.

You can see similarities and differences. I find this very interesting: two Zentangles, utilizing the same string, tangles, even the same hand to draw them, and yet they turn out so different.

I think this method really worked. It allowed me to illustrate a spontaneously derived Zentangle but also gave the advantage of being able to plan it out a bit.

In upping the quality of the video from number 1 to number 2, I had to make a few more expenditures than I did the first time around. Paper, pens, digital storage devices, and music licenses don't cost much individually, but they do add up. So if you enjoyed the video, would you consider donating to keep things like this coming? I'd truly appreciate it! You'll find the donate button in the left hand sidebar. Also, sharing the video with friends, family, neighbors, and the occasional stranger helps bunches too! Youtube makes it really easy: if you just go to the video on Youtube, you can click the "share" button for a cornucopia of sharing options. Tweet/share/email away!

As a special thank you for reading, I'm going to throw a contest! Do you throw contests, or is throwing only for parties? I'm just in a throwing mood, so I'll throw the contest whether or not contest throwing is allowed. In any case, here's the contest:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


You'll be entering to win the ZIA that I created to base the Zentangle in Motion 2 tangle off of (the one on the right in the picture above)!


And here are the offical rules:

No purchase necessary. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older and be US residents (sorry, folks from elsewhere, but it gets problematic when dealing with other country's sweepstakes laws.) Starts on 12/31/12 12:00 AM Central Time, ends on 1/9/12 at 12:00 AM Central Time. To enter, leave a comment on this blog post with your thoughts about Zentangle in Motion 2, then complete the entry form above. The prize: the original Zentangle Inspired Artwork seen above (the one on the right). The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners will be selected by random drawing after contest period is over. Void where prohibited by law.

And there you have it. Zentangle in Motion 2. Once again, thanks for reading, and keep on tangling!

Intentional Sketching

 I have yet another project to unveil today. With so many projects in various stages of completion, it's quite crazy! But if I get bored or uninspired with one project, I can always move on to another that is more compatible with my current state of creativity. Last week I started in on my sketchbook for the Art House Co-op's Sketchbook Project. In this project the Brooklyn Art Library sends each participating artist a sketchbook - plain-jane, simple and blank. Each artist fills his/her sketchbook with art and sends it back, at which point all the sketchbooks tour the country for folks to enjoy.

I've wanted to participate since I heard about the project a few years ago, but this is the first year I've committed the time and money to fill a sketchbook. I had to choose a theme, which was difficult considering the many enticing themes to choose from. I ended up with "Mysteries".

I thought profusely about which route I would take with my theme. I had to scrap several grand ideas before I ended up with what I have now. My first take on the theme was to create an entire mystery story surrounding the sketchbook, which would transform into the journal of someone who witnessed some type of crime. As the journalist strove to find out the identity of the criminal, the mystery would be revealed. That's about as far as that idea went.

My second idea was to illustrate mysterious truths about God in the style I began to work in in my post Process Paradox. I really liked this idea, but I realized that with the school year starting I wouldn't have the time to sit down, get out all the materials, and create this type of work. I needed something simpler, something more portable.

I decided to simplify and go with pen and pencil to begin. Here's the first page:

WOYWW #168

Whew! What a week it's been already! It's already Wednesday?!? Crazy! 

In case you hadn't guessed, I started my Sophomore year of college this week. I'm already enjoying my classes - lots of delicious design courses! Web page design (this blog might look a whole lot better after that class!), digital publishing, computer illustration, and art history make up my class roster this semester. That means I'll be bringing you a lot more design-y things, which is appropriate considering this is the Designed to Create blog.

Since this is a What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday post (which is brought to you by the Stamping Ground blog) and not a "How's Your Life Right Now?" post, I'll get to the pictures. I was in class most of the day today using a computer lab desk, so here's what that looks like:

A Quartet, Jiving

Woot woot! I finished my Zentangle ensemble (see the other posts about the ensemble here and here)!

Here's the final corner:

My favorite part is the curvy Cubine. Oh, and Xyp!
 That used to be my favorite, most-used tangle.
 I don't use borders as much anymore, but I still love
 to use Xyp every once in a while!

Zentangle in Motion

Not only is this my 20th blog post, but this is also the first video I've posted! I made this nearly a year ago, and I posted it on Facebook for my friends to enjoy. They're really the only ones who have seen it, so this is the first time it's been available to the Zentangle community at large! The video illustrates the process of creating a Zentangle, from pencil dots and string to inking and shading - and back again. Utilizing 974 photos, it took over 6 hours to produce! I hope you enjoy it!

                                         Music: Kevin Macleod - incompetech.com

Me too, Me Too!

This week's Zentangle challenge from the Diva is to use the tangle Mi2. I've tried Mi2 a couple of times before, and I think I'll have to use it more often - it is such a great tangle. I started in the upper right corner with Mi2, transitioned to some W2, and ended with some "frayed" ends. I'm pretty sure that's an actual tangle, I just can't figure out which one it is! If you know, let me know, you know? :-)

W2 works great with Mi2, and it makes sense considering W2 helped inspire Mi2. I've been a W2 fan since I started tangling, but it's been a while since I've used it. It's great to bring it out again. We have an ample supply of craft baskets adorning our home, so I think that contributes to my love of this"basket weave-esque" tangle. 

If you're a visitor from the I Am the Diva blog, welcome! Since the last challenge I've added Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest follow buttons to the top of the right sidebar, and I'd love it if you'd join Designed to Create on any or all of those social media sources. Blog updates, interesting links, and contests are just a few of the things I plan to share via social media. Hope to see you there!

Auraknot

 I am in love with the new tangle Auraknot, so I was pleased to find that this week's challenge from the Diva over at I Am the Diva is to use Auraknot in a tangle. I attempted a step-out of this pattern when Rick and Maria challenged the Zentangle community to try their hand at it, but the actual steps are so much easier than what I came up with. It allows much more freedom, and is more relaxing. You don't have to connect the dots or pre-plan anything, you just put pen to paper and tangle. I didn't even use a string for this one, and I don't feel a string is necessary. The Auraknot becomes the string, the backbone of the tangle. Thanks Rick and Maria for what is quickly becoming one of my favorite tangles!

Home

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15 

This week's Diva challenge really was a challenge for me at first. She asked us to take our home and interpret it in Zentangle form. Since I was homeschooled for so long, you'd think home would be an easy concept for me to illustrate. But perhaps, since I have been in the home for so long and seen the many facets home life has to offer (darn, I should have used the tangle Facets!), I couldn't pick which facet to tangle. I decided to go with the most important part, the basis for our home - God.

New Tangle!

This is a quickie post with my "step-out" of a new tangle Rick and Maria asked us to untangle on the Official Zentangle blog. After examining the photos they posted, and spending a few minutes playing on paper, I think I got it - though it will take some practice and patience to make it look better. I was excited at possibly winning a contest, so I rushed a little too much...oh well. I haven't even thought up a name for this one yet! Thanks Rick and Maria for the fun challenge! No matter the outcome, I had a good time!

Cadent-ology

This week's challenge from the Diva (of I Am the Diva) asks us to experiment with the official tangle Cadent.  She says in her post that "This week is the study of 'Cadent'." The study of something is an "ology", right? Thus, Cadent-ology!

Eccentric Circles

Laura Harms, Certified Zentangle Teacher, hosts a weekly challenge on her blog, I am the Diva, in which participants are asked to do a Zentangle in accordance with guidelines she lays down. One week we may be using a specific tangle, the next playing with color. This week's challenge (number seventy-four!) is to experiment with strings. She asked us to use "eccentric circles", which are circles drawn a little wonky and lopsided.