Drawing Lab Art Show Blog Hop

As some of you may know, 2011 is my year to "Enhance".

One thing I am doing, is taking an online drawing class called

Drawing Lab 2011

And this post is dedicated to the first quarter of assignments we have had and to pick our favorites…

Drawing with Geometric Shapes. My favorite so far!

This old player piano belonged to my Grandma Neal. I used to play like this on it too!

A play on Zentangle and my name...

First Assignment - one drawing from a page full of cats...

Drawing with your non-dominant hand. Still makes me giggle at it...

Drawing Negative space. I really like this exercise!

Drawing shadows...

From my night stand table (the night before it was due of course!)

I have not been able to keep up with every weekly assignment, but I don't let it get me down.

I am taking every day as I can and pulling the most from these that time allows me.

I believe you can sign up too if you want to give drawing a go…

Want to check out some other blogs that are class participants?

Click on over to Jeanine's blog HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Drawing Lab Art Show Blog Hop

As some of you may know, 2011 is my year to "Enhance".

One thing I am doing, is taking an online drawing class called

Drawing Lab 2011

And this post is dedicated to the first quarter of assignments we have had and to pick our favorites…

Drawing with Geometric Shapes. My favorite so far!

This old player piano belonged to my Grandma Neal. I used to play like this on it too!

A play on Zentangle and my name...

First Assignment - one drawing from a page full of cats...

Drawing with your non-dominant hand. Still makes me giggle at it...

Drawing Negative space. I really like this exercise!

Drawing shadows...

From my night stand table (the night before it was due of course!)

I have not been able to keep up with every weekly assignment, but I don't let it get me down.

I am taking every day as I can and pulling the most from these that time allows me.

I believe you can sign up too if you want to give drawing a go…

Want to check out some other blogs that are class participants?

Click on over to Jeanine's blog HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Monotangle and Geometric Shapes...

The Monotangle.

Week 11 for Laura Harms "I Am The Diva - CZT" Blog challenge.

Here is my Zentangle drawing entry:

Marsha Neal Studio "Monotangle" Challenge Entry.

I started with the four corner dots, lines, then lines back and forth to create a simple string.
Then opened up Totally Tangled and somewhat randomly picked this design to run with…

Click over to Laura's blog to see more about these challenges (you can participate too!)

And from one of our weekly assignments over at the Drawing Lab 2011 Online Course

(it's a paid class - but worth it! Lots of techniques are taught & it's not full of pressure!)

I also really like the way that this drawing came out:

It makes me giggle a bit with delight…

It was inspired by this photo I snapped with my iPhone:

The hair on this boy cracks me up!

It needs a trim, but wants to go in every direction.

With straight hair - that's funny!

I love looking at photos that I am constantly taking of my little ones for inspiration for these drawing lab classes…

I feel complete right now in this moment.

It will change soon I am sure…

As soon as I look over my to do list sitting here…

Sitting right on my peripheral right side - staring at me…

I can feel it reaching out to me...

I'm ignoring it for the moment...

Off to get a cup of tea for some warmth.

Steal a few goldfish crackers from the container.

Then pop back down here into the studio to look at that darn list.

I hope to see you all here on Sunday for the Open Studio Event!

1-4pm EST Live

Giveaways…

Also - a 20% off sale for my Etsy shop.

Details Sunday (maybe Saturday or even later today if I get to it)

Here.

Monotangle and Geometric Shapes...

The Monotangle.

Week 11 for Laura Harms "I Am The Diva - CZT" Blog challenge.

Here is my Zentangle drawing entry:

Marsha Neal Studio "Monotangle" Challenge Entry.

I started with the four corner dots, lines, then lines back and forth to create a simple string.
Then opened up Totally Tangled and somewhat randomly picked this design to run with…

Click over to Laura's blog to see more about these challenges (you can participate too!)

And from one of our weekly assignments over at the Drawing Lab 2011 Online Course

(it's a paid class - but worth it! Lots of techniques are taught & it's not full of pressure!)

I also really like the way that this drawing came out:

It makes me giggle a bit with delight…

It was inspired by this photo I snapped with my iPhone:

The hair on this boy cracks me up!

It needs a trim, but wants to go in every direction.

With straight hair - that's funny!

I love looking at photos that I am constantly taking of my little ones for inspiration for these drawing lab classes…

I feel complete right now in this moment.

It will change soon I am sure…

As soon as I look over my to do list sitting here…

Sitting right on my peripheral right side - staring at me…

I can feel it reaching out to me...

I'm ignoring it for the moment...

Off to get a cup of tea for some warmth.

Steal a few goldfish crackers from the container.

Then pop back down here into the studio to look at that darn list.

I hope to see you all here on Sunday for the Open Studio Event!

1-4pm EST Live

Giveaways…

Also - a 20% off sale for my Etsy shop.

Details Sunday (maybe Saturday or even later today if I get to it)

Here.

Breathe Challenge...

Here is my entry for Laura's weekly challenge over at I Am The Diva, CZT Blog.

This week the theme is Breathe…

Look below the drawing here on this post if you want to read more about my inspirations...

Marsha Neal Studio Breathe Drawing Challenge

Breathing being usually an unconscious thing that we take for granted on a daily basis.But the thought of breathing holds a lot of meaning for me…
During 2 childbirths, Dave often had to remind me to Breathe…I provided a safe place for both of my children to grow and develop inside of my body and took in air for them…I was present (in more than just a physical sense) when they took their first breathe…
I was with my mom when she took her last breath…I was with her when they had her hooked up to a machine to help her breathe…My sister stayed with her when they took the tubes out so she could breathe on her own until she could breathe no more…And when that last breathe escaped her - I felt peace.No longer to watch her struggle through dealing with the pains of Leukemia, or rather - the attempts at treatment of her rare form…Knowing that the baby I held inside my body at that exact moment, never meeting her, would get to know her - through every breath she will take, because my mother decided to have me - to allow me to breathe...

Breathe Challenge...

Here is my entry for Laura's weekly challenge over at I Am The Diva, CZT Blog.

This week the theme is Breathe…

Look below the drawing here on this post if you want to read more about my inspirations...

Marsha Neal Studio Breathe Drawing Challenge

Breathing being usually an unconscious thing that we take for granted on a daily basis.But the thought of breathing holds a lot of meaning for me…
During 2 childbirths, Dave often had to remind me to Breathe…I provided a safe place for both of my children to grow and develop inside of my body and took in air for them…I was present (in more than just a physical sense) when they took their first breathe…
I was with my mom when she took her last breath…I was with her when they had her hooked up to a machine to help her breathe…My sister stayed with her when they took the tubes out so she could breathe on her own until she could breathe no more…And when that last breathe escaped her - I felt peace.No longer to watch her struggle through dealing with the pains of Leukemia, or rather - the attempts at treatment of her rare form…Knowing that the baby I held inside my body at that exact moment, never meeting her, would get to know her - through every breath she will take, because my mother decided to have me - to allow me to breathe...

Zentangle Challenge #6: IXORUS

So this week's challenge hosted by Laura over at I AM THE DIVA CZT Blog is to use the new tangle IXORUS.

Here is my drawing:

Which now that I am looking at it, by me wanting to enclose the ends of it, has it become Crescent Moon - or at least is is pretty darn similar… Hrmph…

 I was in a bit of an angular mood when I drew this out… I may end up doing another one this week sometime.

Zentangle Challenge #6: IXORUS

So this week's challenge hosted by Laura over at I AM THE DIVA CZT Blog is to use the new tangle IXORUS.

Here is my drawing:

Which now that I am looking at it, by me wanting to enclose the ends of it, has it become Crescent Moon - or at least is is pretty darn similar… Hrmph…

 I was in a bit of an angular mood when I drew this out… I may end up doing another one this week sometime.

Head Is A Bit Tangled...

Ok, so you have heard of Zentangle? If not, check out that link to get started… I am warning you now - it is very addictive… For me - add it to the Online Drawing Lab I am taking in 2011 - and you have stuff like this coming out:

Marsha Neal Studio Cat Drawing from DL2011 - Tangled...

Basically it comes down to drawings. Little repeat drawings. Ooodles of doodles…

I have been doodling forever. A lot of people have (our poor mothers - we came out with some sort of drawing utensil in hand at birth I'm almost certain of it…).

So I came across Zentangle through a blog somewhere (those links - they will get you every time!). Sent the link to Dave as a "check this out, looks cool - maybe a good Christmas present idea if you are looking for one"…

Marsha Neal Studio Sampler Variations from Zentangle Books

Now I'm not so sure he is happy about getting it for me. I'm addicted. Well, I guess you could say - I'm inspired and a bit obsessed. Ok - addicted is right…

I feel like I am on a mission of sorts, then I can relax a bit…
I blame this almost fully on the fact that
1. I am currently dealing with federal lawsuits of copyright infringement issues with my porcelain pendants and
2. my general way of being brought up as "do something right from the beginning".

What makes a drawing or doodle a Zentangle (insert Registered Trademark here).
Why does it seem like there is this huge rush to put a title to a drawing and your name on a doodle and say you created it (or am I just overwhelmed - and making up the "rushed" part - because I am just discovering this official business of Zentangle drawing)?
And really - other than categorization for teaching and communication (I totally dig the scientific method of naming things: KPGOFGS) and becoming known, why do this?

One thing I have come full circle to realize after cruising blogs, websites, videos, and at least 4 Zentangle books is that Zentangles - the actual drawing in the mindset of Zentangle is to use a small piece of paper. They have super sweet 3.5" squares of really nice paper (repeat - really nice - it has such a feel to it!) that are perfect for little masterpieces.

Because I feel that using a full size sketchbook page takes away from the "zen" of the "tangling"… It can take HOURS that may lead into days to complete a full sheet of paper.

Then there is the shading… (Oh, what shading can do for your drawing! It pops right off the page at you if it is well done). And add in the graphite finger prints on things (or the hurdling over toddlers to get to the sink to wash before wiping a running nose or making lunch).

I'm not saying that is a bad thing to be into drawing like this…
But when you have other things to do in life, sitting drawing obsessively will raise a few eyebrows (I had no idea the cat could do that too!) when other things are being pushed off to the side.

I just wanted to share with you a little about my mental state right now with my obsession with Zentangle and questions I have.

I want to take it to the next level too. Well, technically, full circle in a way because I want to be inspired to make new clay pieces, with textures from my drawings and carvings… But need to walk carefully because of all this business stuff. Would love feedback on this one. If you have discussed this on your blog and want to share it, maybe I'll create an inlinkz for this post…

For now I am admitting to my obsession, I have put the Zentangle books down. Put the sketch book and black gel roller pens down. And will be pulling out the 3.5" Zentangle kit I got for Christmas next week when Laura posts her next challenge and getting back to the zen of tangling again, and try to not get too obsessed until I have gotten my studio office, jewelry making area, and clay studio organized.

I put it in writing…

Head Is A Bit Tangled...

Ok, so you have heard of Zentangle? If not, check out that link to get started… I am warning you now - it is very addictive… For me - add it to the Online Drawing Lab I am taking in 2011 - and you have stuff like this coming out:

Marsha Neal Studio Cat Drawing from DL2011 - Tangled...

Basically it comes down to drawings. Little repeat drawings. Ooodles of doodles…

I have been doodling forever. A lot of people have (our poor mothers - we came out with some sort of drawing utensil in hand at birth I'm almost certain of it…).

So I came across Zentangle through a blog somewhere (those links - they will get you every time!). Sent the link to Dave as a "check this out, looks cool - maybe a good Christmas present idea if you are looking for one"…

Marsha Neal Studio Sampler Variations from Zentangle Books

Now I'm not so sure he is happy about getting it for me. I'm addicted. Well, I guess you could say - I'm inspired and a bit obsessed. Ok - addicted is right…

I feel like I am on a mission of sorts, then I can relax a bit…
I blame this almost fully on the fact that
1. I am currently dealing with federal lawsuits of copyright infringement issues with my porcelain pendants and
2. my general way of being brought up as "do something right from the beginning".

What makes a drawing or doodle a Zentangle (insert Registered Trademark here).
Why does it seem like there is this huge rush to put a title to a drawing and your name on a doodle and say you created it (or am I just overwhelmed - and making up the "rushed" part - because I am just discovering this official business of Zentangle drawing)?
And really - other than categorization for teaching and communication (I totally dig the scientific method of naming things: KPGOFGS) and becoming known, why do this?

One thing I have come full circle to realize after cruising blogs, websites, videos, and at least 4 Zentangle books is that Zentangles - the actual drawing in the mindset of Zentangle is to use a small piece of paper. They have super sweet 3.5" squares of really nice paper (repeat - really nice - it has such a feel to it!) that are perfect for little masterpieces.

Because I feel that using a full size sketchbook page takes away from the "zen" of the "tangling"… It can take HOURS that may lead into days to complete a full sheet of paper.

Then there is the shading… (Oh, what shading can do for your drawing! It pops right off the page at you if it is well done). And add in the graphite finger prints on things (or the hurdling over toddlers to get to the sink to wash before wiping a running nose or making lunch).

I'm not saying that is a bad thing to be into drawing like this…
But when you have other things to do in life, sitting drawing obsessively will raise a few eyebrows (I had no idea the cat could do that too!) when other things are being pushed off to the side.

I just wanted to share with you a little about my mental state right now with my obsession with Zentangle and questions I have.

I want to take it to the next level too. Well, technically, full circle in a way because I want to be inspired to make new clay pieces, with textures from my drawings and carvings… But need to walk carefully because of all this business stuff. Would love feedback on this one. If you have discussed this on your blog and want to share it, maybe I'll create an inlinkz for this post…

For now I am admitting to my obsession, I have put the Zentangle books down. Put the sketch book and black gel roller pens down. And will be pulling out the 3.5" Zentangle kit I got for Christmas next week when Laura posts her next challenge and getting back to the zen of tangling again, and try to not get too obsessed until I have gotten my studio office, jewelry making area, and clay studio organized.

I put it in writing…

Weekly (#4) Zentangle Challenge: Starry Eyed Surprise…

I think by finding challenges and keeping up with them - motivation and inspiration comes about a bit more easily…

Over on the "I Am The Diva CZT Blog" Laura hosts a weekly Zentangle type challenge.

This week was using a star in your design. Click HERE for more details.

This is my drawing which I am submitting to the challenge via blog link up...

I too am a taurus, so there in the bottom left of the drawing are some bull horns…

I have been trying to texture the outer line of the drawings recently… Something I think I am quite drawn to when looking at drawings on the Zentangle Flickr group. One day I'll get some pics posted to that group…

This star shape is something I draw a lot. I always have...

This string (the starting line to any Zentangle) was drawn to pass under the star so I could draw on the inner part of the star.

I also want to bring drawing these tangles into my clay work. I already create my textures for my clay pieces by carving out designs and drawings into leather hard clay (then after that is fired, I have a texture plate to be used).

So the other day I used my Wacom tablet to draw this out on the computer (not quite "Zentangle" because it goes outside of the drawing parameters - the feel of the pen on paper where your mistakes can be made into more). The computer takes a bit of that away (love "command - Z") - but not much with that tablet pen to use:

Marsha Neal Studio Jan 10 Tangle Drawing 

Inspired by the star challenge, but drawn into more of a spiral (who me - draw spirals???)

Then I printed it out on my laser printer water decal paper and transferred it onto one of my porcelain pendants and fired it in my kiln to over 2000 degrees F (I like quality - that image will not be coming off of that piece - the iron from the ink is now fused within the glass that makes up the glaze).

MNS Jan 10 Front of Porcelain Pendant after decal firing.

MNS Back of Porcelain Pendant after decal firing.

I am rather fond of this particular piece…

There is just something about the edges of the drawing that really make me think about micro-organisms (SEM images: Scanning Electron Microscope images), cellular structures, and the like (here comes that scientist part again)…

Now I'm thinking about form which takes these drawing past just Zentangles of the doodling layers, but into the next level of working with drawings and images to transform them into something more than just a drawing on paper...

This tile (behind the writing block) is my "Lick" texture which is copyrighted by me (my texture plates are copyrighted). Is one of my oldest texture plates that I carved years ago and still use if for making pendants. Check out my textured pendants on my Marsha Neal Studio website to see more of what I mean…

I am so inspired to draw and carve out new texture plates by all this tangling and drawing…

These circles that life seems to run in are quite remarkable.

Stay with me - much more to come (let's hope!)

Weekly (#4) Zentangle Challenge: Starry Eyed Surprise…

I think by finding challenges and keeping up with them - motivation and inspiration comes about a bit more easily…

Over on the "I Am The Diva CZT Blog" Laura hosts a weekly Zentangle type challenge.

This week was using a star in your design. Click HERE for more details.

This is my drawing which I am submitting to the challenge via blog link up...

I too am a taurus, so there in the bottom left of the drawing are some bull horns…

I have been trying to texture the outer line of the drawings recently… Something I think I am quite drawn to when looking at drawings on the Zentangle Flickr group. One day I'll get some pics posted to that group…

This star shape is something I draw a lot. I always have...

This string (the starting line to any Zentangle) was drawn to pass under the star so I could draw on the inner part of the star.

I also want to bring drawing these tangles into my clay work. I already create my textures for my clay pieces by carving out designs and drawings into leather hard clay (then after that is fired, I have a texture plate to be used).

So the other day I used my Wacom tablet to draw this out on the computer (not quite "Zentangle" because it goes outside of the drawing parameters - the feel of the pen on paper where your mistakes can be made into more). The computer takes a bit of that away (love "command - Z") - but not much with that tablet pen to use:

Marsha Neal Studio Jan 10 Tangle Drawing 

Inspired by the star challenge, but drawn into more of a spiral (who me - draw spirals???)

Then I printed it out on my laser printer water decal paper and transferred it onto one of my porcelain pendants and fired it in my kiln to over 2000 degrees F (I like quality - that image will not be coming off of that piece - the iron from the ink is now fused within the glass that makes up the glaze).

MNS Jan 10 Front of Porcelain Pendant after decal firing.

MNS Back of Porcelain Pendant after decal firing.

I am rather fond of this particular piece…

There is just something about the edges of the drawing that really make me think about micro-organisms (SEM images: Scanning Electron Microscope images), cellular structures, and the like (here comes that scientist part again)…

Now I'm thinking about form which takes these drawing past just Zentangles of the doodling layers, but into the next level of working with drawings and images to transform them into something more than just a drawing on paper...

This tile (behind the writing block) is my "Lick" texture which is copyrighted by me (my texture plates are copyrighted). Is one of my oldest texture plates that I carved years ago and still use if for making pendants. Check out my textured pendants on my Marsha Neal Studio website to see more of what I mean…

I am so inspired to draw and carve out new texture plates by all this tangling and drawing…

These circles that life seems to run in are quite remarkable.

Stay with me - much more to come (let's hope!)