Zzzzzen....Zzzzzen....Zzzzzen -- Aug 8, 2015

Hey everyone!  I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted! 

I’m still here in Payson, AZ in my friend’s driveway…The Payson Hilton!  The monsoons have kept me from going back up into the mountains.  Too much flash flooding up there and too warm to head further south.  So, I’m thankful to have this spot for now!  It has been convenient in many ways, that’s for sure!

So, you may wonder what in the world I’ve been doing if I’m not out exploring forests and trails or looking for rainbows and sunsets.  Well, there’s always reading!  I’ve probably polished off 5-6 books since my last post.  But, one (at least me) can only do so much reading day after day!  I’ve walked down to the strip shopping centers several times for groceries and tidbits.  There’s a great thrift shop, “Time-Out”, just a couple minutes walk away.  I’m a bargain hunter, so I love thrift shops.  The other day I picked up (2) books, (2) t-shirts, (2) button-up shirts, (1) skirt, (1) lounge set, and (1) pair of designer, leather short boots….everything looked virtually new.  Grand Total = $6.00!  Can you believe it?  I couldn’t!  It was ½ price day on clothes….but, even if it wasn’t, I’d be saying $12.00 – can you believe it?  LOL!  So, that was fun! 

I’ve also been totally zen-ing out on Zentangle ©.  Zentangle is an art form based on small, repetitious designs within a 3.5” x 3.5” “tile” (watercolor paper) using a very fine point pen.  It’s all free form – you don’t draw out your design first….it’s whatever happens when you put the pen on the paper.  It’s been around for probably 10 years.  It had been a long time since I played around with it.  Actually, I was doing something like this back in the 70’s….but it wasn’t a “trademark” art form at that time.  Shoulda thought of that!  LOL!  It is extremely meditative.  Very “zen”!  And, anyone can do it.  And, it takes only a few supplies……a pencil, a pen and paper.  And, you can do it anywhere…no studio or particular space needed.  The design option as limitless!  It's all about what you feel like Zentangling at the moment -- no rules!!  I’ve been using a Sharpie Ultra Fine pen, but it’s really not fine enough.  So, I’ve ordered some Sakura Micro Pens.

The Zentangle movement is huge, relatively speaking.  There are classes and seminars and Zentangle products and scads of books.  One can become a CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher).  I think it would be fun to travel around conducting classes.  I wouldn’t want to do it without the certification, tho’….just not as credible, as far as teaching goes. They hold those seminars in the early summer in Rhode Island, I think.  Anyway, that’s what I’ve been up to here at the Payson Hilton.  I’ll probably be here awhile longer.  Maybe stay for the BIG rodeo!  Payson will be hoppin’ when that starts up!  Cowboys will be everywhere!

I’m short on internet data time right now, so I’ll just post some samples of the Zentangles I’ve done.  You can learn a lot more about it at Zentangle. If you’d like a custom Zentangle for anything….initials, holiday cards, invitations….anything else you can think of….just let me know.  I’d be happy to design something for you.

So, here ya go…….

Although I’m partial to the traditional black & white, color can be added…

So....get out your fine point pen and some paper and try it yourself!  

Here's a great book to get you started!

One Zentangle A Day

As always, thank you for shopping via my Amazon link!
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Til next time....enjoy your weekend!