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

Buddha on a Post-it

11/24/2018

 
I've been feeling the itch to draw a bit again (other than tangles).  One thing I know about drawing is that if you don't use it, you lose it.  And I haven't used it in months, other than tangling. 

This morning as I lay in bed I knew I wanted to sketch something--anything--quickly.  So I got out of bed, grabbed a pencil and post-it note, and did a 4-minute sketch of the Buddha that a friend just brought me from her trip to Asia. 

This was a straight-from-the-bed-into-a-sketch moment of madness.  After all, we each have something we need to do first thing after getting out of bed, right?  And I hadn't done that yet.  So I guarantee it was very short.  And not particularly good.  But you gotta start somewhere.
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The real thing...
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The imitation (the post-it note is stuck onto on a blotter we got at the recent zenAgain conference).
Not a masterpiece, but could be worse after months and months of inactivity with drawing.  Perhaps this is the start of something.

I've been participating in the "Gratitangles2018" project, an annual November event centered around the theme of Thanksgiving Day in the United States.  I'd include a link to it, but honestly, I don't know who started this or where to find the right link.  And I've looked.  I don't even know who sent me the list this year. 

But in this time when the United States feel less "united" than at any time since the 60s (meaning, the 1860s, when we had the Civil War), I really need to focus on what I can be grateful for...and that is still a lot.

Yesterday, Day 23 of the project, one of my least favorite tangles came up:  Jonqal.  I've never liked it and never ever tried it.  However, I'd committed myself, so I put on some meditative music and gave it a try last night.  Result:
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Tangles: Jonqal (upper portion of the tile) and a variation of Florz on the lower third. White tile with 05 Black Micron, 01 Black Micron, and graphite. For Gratitangles2018, day 23.
Here's the thing:  I still don't like it, but I'm glad I tried it.  And I admit I like the result better than I expected.  Even though mine is far from perfect (perfection is not what Zentangle® is about, anyway!) and doesn't look like the "classic" version.  [See the "classic" images HERE.] 

It will never be a go-to tangle, but I'm glad I gave it a try.  Lesson learned!  I'm thankful that I made the effort to attempt it, and the attempt was the major part of the lesson.  I want to try more things in life, whether I think I'll like them or not.  I also noticed that the process of doing this was just as relaxing as it is with all of the other tangles that I so strongly prefer.  It got me to the same place, even if it's not--like the sketch at the top of today's post--any type of masterpiece.

It isn't about the masterpieces.  It's all about the work.
It's now day 24 and I tried out a tangle I've only done once before.  Click HERE to see my one-and-only previous try at it.  I supersized it that time, and really like the effect.  Today, though, I did the more classic version.  It wasn't half as easy as the supersized one, and I messed up in places, but I like the result anyway:
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Tangle: Quandary (and the gold "stem" is Mi2), on a Strathmore tile with a Gold Metallic Gellyroll pen, Rembrandt Colored Pencil, black 05 Micron. Done for the Gratitangles2018 project, day 24.
custom research paper link
11/25/2018 03:15:12 am

It's a good thing that you are not busy and you can do these stuff. Well, if we have free time, it's given that we should use it so we could be productive. It's pretty sad that there are still people who are too lazy to function and do anything. The thought of working does not affect them as long as they have the time to rest and just lie on the bed! On the other hand, I am happy to see that you are exposed with this kind of stuff! You might want to try studying the religion of buddhism too!

M
11/25/2018 09:35:16 am

Dear Custom Research Paper: I think you may have misunderstood a little. May you be happy. May you know and receive kindness from others, and may you be able to freely give kindness to others. Wishing you well.


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    ABOUT ME

     I'm a textile artist (traditional rug hooking, punch needle rug hooking, and other textile arts), a long-time meditator, a certified meditation teacher and coach, and 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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  • ...a blog on art, creativity, and mindfulness