While
in Knoxville, Tennessee I visited the Smoky Mountain Quilt Guild and even
though they weren’t having Show & Tell that evening, they wanted to see
what I had brought along. The program that evening included a lesson on Zentangle
drawing and its possibe applications for quilters. The teacher guided us
through the creation of a small Zentangle “tile.” Here’s mine, nothing complicated:
However, all
the tiles put together made an interesting ensemble. It can be seen that there is no right or wrong way to do it--variety makes this picture interesting.
Personally
I’m not particularly sold on such methods. For example, while working on the
tile, I kept thinking that quilters had been doing this for centuries,
inventing designs to fill in their patchwork and hold together their quilts.
And with the same meditative advantages that Zentanglers propose. I realize
that artists need to make a living, but I found the commercial aspect somewhat annoying.
You need a special pen and special (expensive) paper,
and of course the books. My “make-do-with-what-you-have” side revolts.
However, it was a good program and an enjoyable evening.
I
attended “Thursday Bee” several times. This small, jovial group tends toward the
artistic side. No particular structure or rules, just casual and fun.
Rule-breaking allowed. Patty, whom
I introduced in Part 1, worked on one of her circle quilts that includes some very interesting fabrics:
Tone
wore a lovely reversible felted vest.
Deb had several projects going, all very fun.
Diane worked on her exotic bird appliqué.
makes an elegant strip quilt.
Linda's bee quilt is a marvel of precision.
And so, my greetings and thanks go out to the Smoky Mountain Quilt Guild and Thursday Bee. I shall return!
21 comments:
I love zentangles because I love pen and ink drawings. But my love is fabric and I have done a couple of small projects influenced by the tangles. I agree with you about the commercialism of it all....we see too much of that in quilting. I much prefer to interpret some of what I see with fabric.
Oh my! You were in my neck of the woods and I didn't get to meet you! Are you still in TN? I am less than 90 miles from Knoxville. What great fun you have had ..love seeing Patty' s creative & fin jackets again. As well as all the other treats from the SMQG gals.
I'm also of the "use what you have" ilk. It seems I will always use alternative supplies and materials if I already have them. And I also really shy away from techniques that everybody else uses.
It's always so interesting to see what other people are working on!
I've found zentangles to be quite interesting, but not what I'd call relaxing, since I tend to lean forward and cramp my hand (a lot!)when drawing all those lines. :0) All the tiles you've show together make a striking visual. I agree that you don't need special pens and paper to make them - "use what you have" is always my motto, too.
xo
So Zentangles are what these are called now! Interesting information Nadia. I know, I would have felt the same way about needing all sorts of special equipment. I prefer and support the idea of no buying new fabric in 2012. We all have gazillions of yards of fabric, use it and make do!
Hi Nadia,
Love your blog! All of it! I was struck this time by your comments on Zentangles. I have gotten hooked on them, just posted some on my blog - and I do them MY WAY, with pots of different sized pens, NO PENCIL and only a small coil bound sketchbook- common garden variety! Just enjoy and don't worry about artificially created "rules and regulations"!Enjoy!
Thankyou for sharing these innovative pieces of work!! I particularly like the Dragonfly purse!
Thanks for your sweets words. I visit all pages in your blogs... You do wonderfull works too...I think the same of "technology" and trade in the patchwork ... The materials are not manufactured in Argentina and the prices are very high ... In my blog´s photos you can´t find rotary cutters or matts ... Only needles, thread, fabric and scissors ...
I'm like you, a make do kind of gal. But if it makes others happy they can spend the money. Such pretty items you are showing us, so inspiring. You are surronded by a bunch of free-thinkers!
Looks like you had a great visit - lovely pics & I enjoyed catching up with your blog. You've done some fabulous work.
Thanks for your comment.
OH, I espially like the circles quilt, looks like youv had fun
Thanks for stopping by. Love the zentangles. looks like you've been busy and had fun!
I rather like all the zentangles put together. I'm off to google them as Ive never heard about them before. It looks like you had fun anyway!!
Your zentangles are remarkable!
Hello Nadia, well I draw zentangles and mandala's with whatever pen, pencil or needle I have at that particular moment. No special pens or paper! It's just an awful lot of fun to let your hand go over de paper or to put your needle wherever you want to and after some time see what your concentration brought you. But it indeed works the same with quilting.
And I think you had a lot of fun with these quilting ladies. I always love to go to our bee, not just because of the quilts etc, but you know............
imagine~! a granddaughter named Paisley~!!~ i think as a quilter one would LOVE that~! i know i would.
looks like lots of ideas and art were shared in a happy atmosphere.
thank you for sharing all of these pieces. such diversity. such happiness. such creativity~!
:-)
libbyQ
I never heard of zentangle before, looks amusing and relaxing. But I prefer fabrics and what you can do with them. Your friends' work is very interesting and inspiring.
Your blog is always very inspiring to visit.
Thank you for sharing your visit with this inspiring group of quilters. I don't really know much about them but I can't imagine buying special pens or paper to draw zentangles. I guess whatever it takes for people to feel as though they can create.
Greetings from Finland. You have beautiful work.
I've not heard of zentangles - but I agree - I can't see any reason why you would need a "special" anything to draw them! Why do things become so expensive when the words "for quilters" are attached to them? I'm always looking out for cheaper ways to do tasks and like to use what I have!
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