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Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Not a Zentangle

I mention at the beginning of my Texture class that my "Texture Doodling" (copyright 2010) on clay is based on Mehndi and Henna Designs.  Now that the class is up on CraftEdu, I feel that you might like to see the kinds of designs that I've subconsciously been influenced by. 





I had already been working with texture for a while when a few months ago, I ran across some images on Flickr and was mesmerized by the complexity of the designs.  Soon after, I realized how much some of the shapes and designs were working their way into my polymer textures. 

I finally sat down with a two sided sharpie (fine and extra fine tips on one pen) and a piece of copy paper. When I began, the intention wasn't meant to make such a large design, but I just couldn't stop.  I've worked on for the past 4 days and I'm pretty happy with it!  Okay, I'll admit that I'm VERY happy with it.   I even went out today and bought some spray adhesive (I already had some black poster board to mount it on)  and a cheapy black frame.



I discovered that I still  have a very steady hand.  I used to do a lot of watch and some jewelry repair in my younger days selling fine jewelry, and I remember a customer telling me that I must have the hands of a surgeon to be able to work with such tiny parts in watches.  I had forgotten that I could actually draw a pretty straight line!

But, I have to tell you...please don't say this looks like a "Zentangle."  Of course I've seen the black and white drawings and heard of the method, but I have no idea what the rules or constraints are supposed to be.

Anyhow, now I feel like this could be a new addiction for me.  All I know is what I'm influenced by and luckily,  I had a piece of  white paper and black pens to help me express what is in my head.  I know, pretty scary isn't it? ;o)  It looks like a bird to me...

8 comments:

lalg said...

I don't know if it is scary, but I think it is beautiful!

Caffeine Girl said...

I won't call it a Zentangle, but you could put it in that category if you wanted to. It is just beautiful -- and very original. I'm impressed that you came up with so many original doodles!

jackie@irishheart said...

It reminds me of a black and white version of the painted script from the Book of Kells. This is a 6th century Irish manuscript done by monks centuries ago. Look it up or for some jewelry inspiration vist ouyr website and have a look at the Celtic jewelry. www.irishheart.com

Pretty Things said...

OMG. Why can't I do things like this? I can't call myself an artist when I see things like this. LOVE what you do.

artybecca said...

Zentangle...a doodle with a lot of marketing wrapped around it; formerly known as "I was bored in math class."

Art Fumbles said...

This is way better than any zentangle I've seen - it has life and movement.

@artybecca My thoughts exactly.

Unknown said...

I love your giant doodle. It is magnificent!

Unknown said...

Barb, when someone says, "Hey, that looks like a zentangle!" you should say, "No, zentangles look like this; I've been drawing these since high school." And then chuckle. It's really gorgeous - I've tried doing this and can't make the beautiful curves you have in this drawing.