Zentangle – Page 5 – a curious nature

Gratitangle Dedication …….. remembering Jo Flaherty

November 24, 2022. Thanksgiving

On this day of Thanksgiving, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of my creative friends and acquaintances who have encouraged and inspired me along my artistic journey. Whether you realize it or not, without your pushing and nudging, cheering and challenging, I might still be stuck in a causality loop of repetitive and, dare I say, boring attempts at something resembling art. Because of you, I’ve crossed the threshold of humdrum “wanna’ be” to humbly admitting myself “artist.” You know who you are, for you are all many and amazing! From my active Zentangle days to today’s infatuation with nature journaling, this post is dedicated to you.

My Gratitangle 2022 using patterns designed by Jo Flaherty: Seaz, Bowtye, Pearly-Girl, Echo-S.

But today I pause to pay special tribute to a remarkable woman, Jo Flaherty. An amazing artist with a beautiful grasp of design and color, Jo was a master of the flow and rhythm of even the most complex of Zentangle patterns. She prolifically created works of tangled beauty, but also knew how to have serious fun in her art-making, all while exploring new methods and media. Jo was a natural teacher, coach and mentor, and we spoke numerous times to discuss her various techniques involving composition and color blending. Always willing to provide caring critique and advice on approaches to my work, Jo was extremely influential in my evolving style of art. Even today There are hints of “Jo” peeking through my journal pages. Such an inspiration!

Over the course of several years, Jo and I would send Zentangle tiles back and forth in the mail, initiating and then adding patterns until the tile was filled up! Here’s a set of those tiles. Such fun and a tremendous learning experience for me!

The devastatingly sad news of Jo’s passing earlier this month was such a shock. She will be greatly missed in the art and Zentangle community as a wonderful artist and friend to so many. We all need a hearty dose of “Jo” in our lives, and I’m so glad she graciously and selflessly took me under her wing all those years ago.

Another set of Zentangle tiles jointly created by Jo and myself

Salvatore Dali said it perfectly ……. “A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.” This was (and in so many ways, still is) Jo. Someday I hope to follow in her artistic footsteps.

And here’s another set of Zentangle tiles jointly created by Jo and myself

From the bottom of my heart ….. thank you Jo Flaherty (1953-2022)

Love those who’ve inspired you. Their gift is priceless.

Chapter 221107: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………. In the wee hours of the morning!

November 7, 2022

Eclipse Alert!

Inktober 2022

For the last 7 years, I’ve jumped onto the the month-long (October) Inktober challenge, using prompts developed by the Zentangle community. This year I switched it up, deciding to follow the official daily word prompts, one word a day, creating images representing each word, solely in ink. The only rules I held myself to were: 1) only ink; no pencil sketching, and 2) create a drawing daily in 10 minutes or less. When I was all finished, it seemed some shading with Tombow brush pens was needed, and then Flambé wanted to play ….. but in color! Definitely a fun challenge! Here’s what I came up with.

Can you find all 31 of my ink drawings? What’s your favorite?

So what exactly is Inktober?

Inktober is an annual art challenge lasting for all 31 days of October. It was created by artist Jake Parker, with the purpose of improving art skills and developing daily drawing habits. Participants create an ink drawing daily, and Inktober.com posts an official list of word prompts to help guide you on this journey.

Even though there’s an official list of words to follow, “Inktober is just a framework to get yourself to draw better, flex a little, and/or have some fun with your art. Inktober is a challenge NOT a contest to see who the best artist is. It’s a challenge to see how much you can improve your art in a month, and to be inspired or to help inspire other artists to do the same.⁣”

Here’s the official Inktober list for 2022

Anyone can participate, in any way imaginable. You can come up with your own list or search for the numerous lists created by many others, like the one of patterns posted annually by Zentangle. And you can use ink, pencil, paint or crayon. There’s really no rules, no wrong approach. Just make art every day in October!

Even though Inktober 2022 is officially over, you can still take on the challenge in the the following months, or anticipate and participate in the event in October 2023.

For more information, search the web for Inktober.com. I’d love to know if you go for it!

Chapter 221025: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………. Fall Breeze …. Autumn Leaves

October 25, 2022

Of course dogs love a romp in piles and piles of fallen leaves. But kats? Flambé knows so! What do you think?

Chapter 220910: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………. Pattern Farmer

September 10, 2022

Flambé has returned from a month-long holiday in France visiting her absentee lover, Cognac. She was hoping to rekindle their love affair, and perhaps entice Cognac to come west where they can become hopelessly en-Tangled in a series of curiously new MisAdventures.

Maybe if Flambé takes up a steady occupation, like farming, Cognac is thinking he can carry on his Tom-foolery and have a furry feline to come home to each night (or day, as the case may be). Flambé discovered she’s still smitten with this wild kitten, and was willing to give farming a try.

Really? Ag Kat? Would you do crazy things to woo your lover?

Chapter 220731: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………. Chirp x 4

July 31, 2022. Chirp x 4

Me thinks Flambé has an insatiable curiosity about tree houses. When last we met up with Kat, she was awaiting an invite to enjoy a bowl of warm milk from the mysterious Teeny Tiny Treehouse owner. Sadly, he/she/it was a “no show.” Time to move along. ……

Chapter 220626: Flambé’s latest Misadventure …. The Teeny Tiny Treehouse

June 26, 2022. Teeny Tiny Treehouse

Earlier in the month, our kurious Kat visited the local Zoo’s Bugatorium where she had a surprisingly good time. But it was exhausting dodging all the creepy crawly residents as she had no desire to squish or squash or slip on her new cast of “friends.” Wow! Time for a Katnap. At that moment an army of harvester ants, marching only inches from Flambé’s paws, heard her yawn of exhaustion. Without breaking formation they hollered up in unison, “follow us you fatigued furrball!”

Perhaps not thinking clearly, Flambé fell in line, and even though she was so drowsy she managed to keep pace with these hungry ants as they led her to who-knows-where.

Chapter 220606: Flambé’s latest Misadventure …. The Bugatorium is the Very Best of the Best

June 6, 2022. Bugatorium Day at the Zoo

Creepy, crawly and slithering slime
How can a Kat have a fine time, with bugs?

Find out how Flambé learned to rock on with bugs ……

Chapter 220513: Flambé’s latest Misadventure …. The Aviary (aka: To the Zoo She Did Flew)

May 16, 2022. The Aviary

And to the Zoo …… A kurious Kat flew…… Almost certain there’d be a bird or two ……

Perhaps ………………

Chapter 220503: Flambé’s latest Misadventure …. A Serpent Totem, Free Floating Jellies, and FishFace on Parade ….. Up Bublz!

May 3, 2022. Talk about your seafood buffet! Flambé, still famished from her last misadventure, obviously ogles the outrageous opportunity swimming in and out of a kelp forest. Fish!

Easy pickings if she plans a stealthy approach and exercises patience. What is a Kat to do?