Totally Chaotic World On A String

Tags

Art, Inspiration, Inspirational

Sometimes I feel like I have the world on a string.

It’s a very busy, chaotic world sometimes, but it’s still the world on a string. So, maybe it’s a matter of hanging onto the right feelings – holding on to a sense of the best part of the big picture, and trying not to let that feeling go when dealing with all the little, daily details.

Zentangles

Tags

Art, Books, Creating Equals Playing, daily drawing exercises, Inspiration

Today’s post comes from Joanne Fink. I know a few of you who have subscribed to this blog have an interest in Zentangles. Yesterday, I received information about this book by Joanne Fink, featuring her drawing and patterning techniques.

The following letter is from Joanne Fink. She gave me permission to post this:

“Dear Friends & Family,

Three years ago, I began a new stage of my creative journey when I was introduced to the wonderful world of Zentangle®. I enjoyed ‘tangling’ for a couple of weeks, then returned to my calligraphic roots and started incorporating patterns into my letterforms and designs. Since I was inspired by Zentangle, I called my new style “Zenspirations™”, and began teaching others how to enhance their work with simple patterns. I had never worked with a mono-line pen before, but quickly became so enamored with all of Sakura’s wonderful pens that I became a ‘Sakura Fanatic’, and filmed a series of videos showing how I use their tools to create my Zenspirations art. You can find them on Sakura’s website, or by clicking on the links below.

In addition to the videos, I’ve designed and licensed lots of Zenspirations products for the craft market, and Inspired Journey items for the stationery and gift market. My new book, Zenspirations Letters & Patterning, was introduced by Design Originals at the Craft & Hobby Show in July. My publisher is offering a “Friends & Family” 20% discount to anyone who wants to order the book between now and January 2, 2012. Just click this link:

BUY NOW    and put in the promo code “zensp” at checkout.

And for those of you who are looking for last minute holiday gifts, please check out my new magnetic jewelry design inserts for Magnabilities at http://www.magnabilities.com/store/design-inserts-licensed-c-3_1213_1109.html. The Christmas designs (see samples below) are available now, and my monogram inserts will be available soon.

Thanks for helping me get the word out about the book, jewelry and videos… I really appreciate it.

Happy Holidays!

Joanne”

ZENSPIRATIONS™ VIDEO LINKS:

 

1.       Zenspirations Patterning Techniques with Joanne Fink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhXb6my65fw&hd=1

2.       Zenspirations Shape & Edge Patterning with Joanne Fink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cuekq4lFUo&hd=1

3.       Zenspirations Patterned Monograms with Joanne Fink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC-JULE4T8A&hd=1

4.       Zenspirations Borders & Frames with Joanne Fink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZJ9SpSukeQ&hd=1

5.       Sakura Fanatic with Joanne Fink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBlVBnVHHuE&hd=1

6.       Zenspirations Koi Watercolor Painting with Samantha Trattner (Joanne’s daughter)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KczCST5FGnw&hd=1

Hope you enjoy the videos… you can see other great videos on Sakura’s website: www.sakuraofamerica.com.

________________

Observing Something Again for the First Time

Tags

Art, Inspiration, Journal, Observing, Writing

A few days ago I saw the moon in the daytime sky. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to use the image as inspiration for this art journal blog.

The pale moon against a light blue sky has always been a rare and magical sight for me. When I looked more closely, I actually saw the man in the moon for the first time. I saw the vague indication of a face. I had never seen it before! I suppose I had never observed the moon closely enough to see it. It’s kind of an amazing experience to see something for the first time that has been there all along.

Creating art and writing has a lot to do with observation and interpreting subject matter. I hope this eye opening experience helps me to open my thoughts when it comes to writing and creating art.