DRAWING FROM THE DAY
  • ...a blog on art, creativity, and mindfulness

UNEXPECTED.

9/22/2015

17 Comments

 
The Diva Challenge this week (Diva Challenge # 236) is to "Tangle Unexpected"--in other words, to tangle on something you wouldn't ordinarily tangle on.

My life is "unexpected" at the moment for sure.  If you choose to read more about that, see the text at the end of the post; otherwise, I hope you just enjoy the pictures.

Here is the original untangled photo that I chose for this challenge.  I took this picture of the kitchen door at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, a place I love to go for long meditation retreats.  I don't think I even noticed the door until the second time I went there (not very mindful of me!) and when I saw it I was transfixed by how lovely it is.
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As you can see, the lotuses are transparent and the rest of the background is frosted glass.  At the moment I took the picture, something turquoise-y was behind the lower lotus, while the one on the upper right showed kitchen equipment the reads gray-brown.

I love this image and it almost seemed sacrilegious to tangle it, so that was the challenge.  Here is what I ended up doing.
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Tangles are Printemps and Scrawlz, along with some random work.  Using Sigma Uniball White Pen, and a tiny bit of Derwent Colored Pencil.

Not sure what I think about this.  Part of the challenge was to keep it simple.

THE "UNEXPECTED" CHALLENGE FOR THE REST OF ME:
I wanted to work on this image because, as I said in my last post, I need some zen!  And looking at this picture reminds me of the work I do every day in meditation, and every time I go to IMS.  Just stay in the now. 

Without going into detail, this is the worst episode of back pain I've had in 30 years.  I am confident that I can work it out and get back to my usual sturdy self, but the last two weeks have been totally unexpected and a big challenge to my remaining mindful.  I want to do anything BUT stay in the moment when I'm in pain!  Which of course makes it even worse.  Thankfully I found a new chiropractor (and I think she's very good) and I'm slowly recovering.  I was without a chiropractor when this started and that's what allowed things to get so out of control.  Glad to be on the upswing again!

It's been a real test of my willingness to be mindful.  Not to mention civil.

Auntie Acid says:  "It's bad news when you get to the age when your back goes out more than you do."

Stay healthy, everyone!
17 Comments
Debbie New, CZT link
9/22/2015 11:31:36 pm

Hiya,

What a lovely door! It looks so pretty. I am glad you decided to tangle on the photo and to share with us too! In fact, the aqua coloured thingy behind the lower lotus has given it a glowy sort of aura :)

Have a great week!

Reply
Ilse link
9/23/2015 07:31:08 am

That's a great kitchen door, and I love what you did to it (on the photo :-) )!

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Rose
9/23/2015 07:39:37 am

Beautiful work tangling the image and well worth the leap it took to get there! I hope you can enjoy it even more now that you've added some of your own magic to it :-) Glad you're on the upswing at the moment :-) Look after yourself!

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Yorkshire Tortoise
9/23/2015 10:13:19 am

Lovely lotus flowers. What a great idea to take a photo and do it on that. Sorry to hear about the back pain but glad you have found someone to help

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Jean Chaney link
9/23/2015 10:35:59 am

I don't think I've ever tangled on a photo. Lovely. Please take care of yourself. Back pain is so awful and it seems that nobody understands that. I do. Sending hugs.

Reply
Devin
9/23/2015 11:07:52 am

Wow, ladies, thank you for these comments. Debbie, Ilsa, Rose, Yorkshire Tortoise, and Jean!

Also, to be clear: I took the phono with my phone, printed it out, and tangled on the paper print, not on a photo. You probably knew that already but I thought it needed saying. Thanks too for the well-wishes. Is there anything more annoying than back trouble when one knows it will go away eventually...and it is departing, just more slowly than usual.

Again, thanks!

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Annemarie
9/24/2015 02:21:56 am

Wow, I love these tangles lotus flowers. Great idea (all of us are sooooo creative this week, thanks to Laura). Take care and keep enjoying your retreats.

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Lily Moon link
9/24/2015 04:56:53 am

Beautiful :)

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Maggibee link
9/24/2015 10:29:19 am

I hope your back pain is reducing and that you are soon back to your normal self, it's awful when pain turns us into people we don't like to be. I love your door and the piece you made from it. I also admire how you did indeed keep it simple. Nice work.

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Devin
9/24/2015 01:32:51 pm

Thank you ALL! I'm just back from the chiropractor and for the first time I am feeling some real relief. Hoping it continues. But thank you for all your comments on this tile. And yes, Laura does keep us creative, doesn't she? <g>

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Annette Carlos link
9/24/2015 05:39:44 pm

Love what you did here! Just beautiful! :0)

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Donna Pilato link
9/24/2015 08:57:07 pm

I think you handles this one just right. You keep it simple, but by using the white you added highlights and a little bit of pop to the original photo. Very nice work. Also, I hope your back gets better soon!

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the dudz link
9/25/2015 12:19:12 am

Hang in there Devin. I love the minimalist approach you took with this challenge. Less is definitely more.

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michele link
9/25/2015 12:08:05 pm

What a beautiful door and I love what you did with it. I would never have thought to take a photo, print it then tangle it. I may have to steal this idea;-) Thanks for the inspiration and I hope you're feeling better.

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Suzanne Fluhr link
9/25/2015 08:59:45 pm

I'm very impressed that you did this challenge and all the ones you did later in the week while suffering with back pain. I had a year of severe back pain and I think I was not very creative that year. I'm also very impressed that you can meditate. Tangling is the closest I've been able to get. I hope the arc of your improvement continues.

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Antonine link
9/26/2015 12:47:52 pm

I love your lotus tangles! The petals are the perfect string for a bevvy of wonderful patterns! Hope your back improves. That kind of pain can really kill your spirit, so I'm glad you have Zentangle to take you away for a few precious moments.

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Devin
9/26/2015 02:46:44 pm

Hi all,

Wow, thank you, everyone! Antonine, Suzanne, thedudz, Michelle, Donna, Annette. Your comments are so appreciated. And the good news is that my back is about 90% now and I hope will be back to normal by next week. Suzanne, I know what you're saying; if I'd had back trouble for an entire YEAR, I too would have been non-productive. Wow. That is a long time to have pain. Mine has lasted about 3 weeks only. Fortunately, it doesn't hurt to sit--that may explain why I've been able to keep tangling. Hugs to all for taking the time to comment!

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    ABOUT ME

     I'm a textile artist (traditional rug hooking, punch needle rug hooking, and other textile arts), long-time meditator and coach, focused on learning about the interplay of art, creativity, and mindfulness every day. 

    I am also a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT 11) and a student of drawing and of the tarot.

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