Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Diva Challenge 7: Breath (and Rhythm!)

Yum. A fresh new tile. A cup of hot tea. A blankie on my lap. 


Creating the ceremony, as Laura Harms reminded us in her new challenge blog entry, is a wonderful part of the Zentangle process. This week's challenge is "breathe," and so much a part of the process as well, although, I have to say, it's one that is hard to remember. I often find myself taking a deep breath or two during a tangle, as if I had forgotten to breath. Don't know why, but that's how it goes.
   As I took the pen in my hand, I paid close attention to my breathing. I became aware of its rhythm and wondered how my hand would play that out onto the tile. A string came immediately with no thought (yum!). Then the ebb and flow of the tangle, Echoism, came into being. Here is where I started...


Each person has their own rhythm and what is a fun or comforting stroke for some, may totally irritate another! It's fun to pay attention to which tangles support your personal rhythm. It's also good to get out of the 'same olds' and try something new. This tangle was not one I had used much, but once I started, it was hard to stop. It really felt like breathing to me... back and forth, in, out, ebb, flow. I almost left it just like this, as simple as a breath.


But my itchy little fingers wanted to keep going, finding all kinds of places to add to the rhythm. Even though visually, I'm not really crazy about the outcome, it was lots of fun getting lost in the minutia of the dance. Sort of like listening to music, and following every single note to its core.




The second one was a little simpler. But just as much fun. Quiet and predictable, just like a breath. Thank you, Laura!



21 comments:

  1. I never heard of Echoism before, I like what you did with it.

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  2. WOW! that's what I have to say. I really like the outcome of where you started to the end. its ahrd to beleive they are the same tile..thanks for sharing

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  3. I love the simplicity of the first and third - and the amazing things you show Echoism doing in the second!

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  4. Wondrous!! I really love where you went with this one!

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  5. Wow Carole, this is not breathe...it's breathtaking! Exquisite!

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  6. Oh my! What wonderful tangles you've breathed life into!

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  7. It is always a breathe of fresh air to view and admire your work!

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  8. have been searching for the steps to echoism for months. I loveit, but am not sure i know how to do it. You have inspired me to try. Beautiful work.

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  9. Wow Carole, such an amazing transformation. Great dancing!

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  10. Beautiful, Carole!

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  11. Oh - I SO get where you were with this one… What a great place to find oneself… Beautiful - Beautiful - Beautiful...

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  12. Carole, thanks for sharing your process. It's wonderful to get a "peek" into the creative mind of others. I love what your "itchy little fingers" created. Great texture and rythm. I need to revisit echoism.

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  13. I did Echoism as part of my challenge and then looked at yours...it looks like a breathe....your work once again is fantastic!

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  14. I haven't used Echoism very much. I love how you created all those variations!

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  15. I'm with Joni... these are simply and exquisitely breathtaking! I ♥ the first one, in particular. But I agree - my itchy fingers always want to add more, too. [grin]

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  16. The few times I've used Echoism I haven't liked it much. Maybe I'll give it another chance after seeing where you went with it!
    --Margaret

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  17. when i did my first tile, i didn't really like the end result - visually, but i felt wonderful afterwards.

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  18. Fantastic! Love the whole process you went through.

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  19. I like that pattern...I've used it several times, I love your exploration of it over the various tiles! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. Thank you for showing us beginnings and endings - Lovely flow in your process.....

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