Zentangle A Pug Dog

I've been on a Zentangle kick for the past two weeks.  I recently purchased a coloring book by Ben Kwok,
called TangleEasy Lovable Pets, he has produced pages that can be used as templates for Zentangle designs, coloring, etc.  I chose to transfer a sketch of one of his pug dog images onto some gessoed watercolor paper and then tangle it.

I sectioned off different areas to incorporate different tangles.  Then I just mindlessly tangled on.

It doesn't take as long as it looks like it would.  I just did small portions every day.

Next thing you know...he's completed!

I think he's adorable.  I hope you get a chance to try Zentangle, there are tons of tutorials online.  I found Ben Kwok's book at Michael's, it is called Lovable Pets, Tangle Easy.

I hope you're staying cool.  I think this is going to be a long, hot summer.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  ~Hugs ~ Renee

Zentangle 101 Class at the Surfside Library

I had the opportunity this week to teach a Zentangle 101 class at our local library here in Myrtle Beach.  The room the class was held in was an absolute dream!  A large, very quiet room with air conditioning and lovely tables allowing plenty of elbow room for each student.  The library even provided snacks!  Amazing.  I had a good amount of eager students, not all are shown in the photo here.

After we did the first Zentangle tile everyone added their tile to the grouping on the table.  This shows how we can all follow the same directions, using the same supplies and yet each tile shows the individuality of the artist.  Not one person here had ever practiced Zentangle and only a few had even heard of it before. Their first piece was completed a little over an hour after the class began.

I am always excited to introduce this art form to people.  It shows everyone that there is an artist within them waiting to be released!  Each one is different and totally unique.

I want to thank the Surfside Library for inviting me to teach this class, it was an honor.  Hopefully I will get to do it again sometime soon.  If you've never heard of Zentangle before you might want to Google it and take a look at this relaxing, contemplative art form created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, that employs structured patterns as a means of creating interesting, beautiful abstract pieces of art.

Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your visits.  Please leave a comment if you have time, I'd love to hear what you think of the Zentangles.  Hugs ~ Renee

Art Heals, a letter to the editor of the Stampers' Sampler

I was so surprised to find the July issue of the Stampers' Sampler in my mailbox today!  Since my last name starts with a "Z" I'm usually the last on the list to receive an artist comp issue if I have work published in the magazine.  I had two cards published which thrilled me, each featuring one of my favorite stamp lines, Dyan Reaveley's and Stampotique.

The letters to the Editor are in the front of the magazine along with Mail Art so of course that's my first stop.  Much to my surprise I read this extremely touching letter from my art sister Clintine Steele.

I still have tears in my eyes from reading her letter.  I told Clintine when we met online last year on FB that I had been looking for her for YEARS!  She had some cards published a few years back that were absolutely stunning so I searched for her blog, website, etc., I just wanted to see more of her creations.  I could not find her anywhere and then finally we found each other on FB.

Reading this letter made me feel humbled and happy to think that my words affected someone in a positive way.  I'm excited that Clintine is submitting her lovely cards again, they are so worthy of publication and a real joy to look at!  This will probably be one of my favorite issues of TSS.

Thanks for allowing me to share my news with you all.  Check out this issue when it hits the stores, there are lots of wonderful images to drool over. ~ Hugs ~ Renee

Sacred Heart Steampunk Canvas

I am honored this week to have been asked by Marjie Kemper who has a blog series entitled:  Tuesday Tutorials, to submit this canvas from one of my older blog postings.

Originally I created this piece in a series of canvases for a DT so I was showcasing some of their new products.  I have recreated this canvas with very basic standard supplies that most mixed media artists have in their stash.  This is one of a series of five canvases created on watercolor paper, then glued to a 6"by 6" burlap canvas.  

"STEAMPUNK DREAM"

Directions:

Cut a 6” by 6” panel of water color paper, apply a thin layer of gesso.  Allow to dry.

Apply water based inks or water soluble crayons or both in several colors, spritz panel with water and use a sponge or a baby wipe to move the color around.  Dry.  Add additional colors to antique/distress the panel.

Using a black permanent ink, stamp images on dry panel.

Using a stencil and a palette knife apply a thin layer of white heavy body gesso through the heart stencil.  Heat the gesso with a heat tool,  it will puff up.  Allow to cool.

Reposition the stencil over the puffy heart and apply a mixture of crayons, inks and acrylic paints with a dauber or a paintbrush until desired effect is achieved. 

Sandpaper around the edge of panel to distress the edges.  Apply Silver acrylic paint around the heart using a fine liner tool.  Add a little color to the rays with a sponge.  Using Silver ink, stamp gears around canvas heat emboss with silver or clear embossing powder.  Stamp word on a piece of scrap paper and attach to the center of the heart with pop dots.

Continue adding colors and stamps, when satisfied with panel , distress the edges and attach it to a burlap canvas.  You can keep on adding all kinds of items to this project depending on your taste.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and please visit Marjie's site every Tuesday for additional technique ideas!
Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs~ Renee