"Having come this far" - A First Zentangle

I found myself with alot of time to fill in early April this year, while in the hospital for a short stay.
I finally asked my son, Paul, if he could bring me my sketchbook and coloured pencils.

I'd seen zentangles at Teri's Painted Daisies, and thought zenning might be a fun way to fill my time.

I enjoyed this, and am going to try more - it feels like doodling which I loved doing in school in my notebooks. Recently I've read that there is research now to show that some students can actually process what they hear best if allowed to doodle, and sketch in class. In those days it was considered to be just playing, and discouraged.

But these days we are learning that there are multiple ways for human beings to learn - I'm so glad that we are growing in our understanding of children. I think our educational system is becoming a more humane one, and more attuned to childrens' individualities.

Here are two details from my first "zen".

The words, "Nothing stays the same, everything changes" is true I feel, and reflected my thoughts while in the hospital. The words are taken from a childrens' picture book called "Everything Changes", by Pat Hutchins, a favourite childrens' author and illustrator.

Detail of top corner of my zen.In my flower garden, I had an old trellis which my aunt helped me to repair, about 10 years ago. She asked her neighbour for several pieces of rebar, he had, and we braced the bottom with rebar, then pounded the rebar into the ground, to withstand the fierce winds we get in Saskatchewan. Since then I've moved from this old house, and my dear aunt passed away. She was a remarkable woman, a pillar of strength to everyone who knew and loved her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another picture I worked on, on the first page of my little sketch book, when I was dreaming of spring, and planning a small flower patch.

I sketched some flowers from seed packages. Herbert joined the sketch, and later in the hospital I added some doodles.

I realize that this hasn't come up very clearly, as my doodles are in light pencil. I felt inspired to share these after visiting Teri's Painted Daisies, this morning - with her exquisite ongoing Zentangle, in her accordian sketch book. Make a visit there, you are sure to enjoy!

I plan to learn more about zentangles. It is a relaxing, and enjoyable way to sketch. There is some good information to find by Googling, and I learned that zenning is a pretty open style of art, but one of it's characteristics is repetitive patterns.

Soon, here in Saskatchewan the rainy weather will give way to days of sun, and warmth, and I plan to get out and plant a small flower garden.Our traditional time for planting is often considered to be Victoria Day, the third Monday in May - but there are many years when we aren't able to plant til June. This year, I'm thinking we might be able to plant a little earlier. However, many real gardeners have their vegetable gardens started in spite of cold and rain by early May.

Wishing you a great day. Thanks for visiting!