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. 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. 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
9/22/2015 11:31:36 pm
Hiya,
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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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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.
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Devin
9/23/2015 11:07:52 am
Wow, ladies, thank you for these comments. Debbie, Ilsa, Rose, Yorkshire Tortoise, and Jean!
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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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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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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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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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Devin
9/26/2015 02:46:44 pm
Hi all,
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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. Categories
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