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.

The Space Between and Artoo (Zentangle)

Here is my combination entry for Laura Harm's "I Am The Diva CZT" Blog Challenges for

Week 9 ~ Artoo

Week 10 ~ The Space Between

I have been trying hard to do so many things that I have felt a little out of balance.

The ideas that I had for drawing a tangle for Artoo (the nickname for Laura's tangle dedicated to her son & which is his blog name as well - her other son is Chewie… LOVE IT!)

It took me leaving the house today…

Getting a cup of soup and a beverage to find a moment of peace to draw this out.

A couple of weeks ago my friend Diane wrote a post on her blog and mentioned getting the stink eye…

It has stuck in my head ever since…

I hate getting the stink eye.

I can't stand thinking and feeling guilty that it's coming my way…

And you know when it is because you know you are ignoring things that should be attended to...

Today's issue was a bit more than that, but it walks the line of it.

Which in turn made my whole day sour and anything I did just didn't work out.

Totally miserable…

So I sat in the little coffee shop and ate my lobster bisque and drew this out.

I had difficulties with leaving some blank in between spaces.

I like to fill every nook and cranny…

It was like a breathe of fresh air - sitting and drawing.

Being alone and just thinking about the paper and pen and what was happening…

A change of focus.

Hope for a better day tomorrow...

The Space Between and Artoo (Zentangle)

Here is my combination entry for Laura Harm's "I Am The Diva CZT" Blog Challenges for

Week 9 ~ Artoo

Week 10 ~ The Space Between

I have been trying hard to do so many things that I have felt a little out of balance.

The ideas that I had for drawing a tangle for Artoo (the nickname for Laura's tangle dedicated to her son & which is his blog name as well - her other son is Chewie… LOVE IT!)

It took me leaving the house today…

Getting a cup of soup and a beverage to find a moment of peace to draw this out.

A couple of weeks ago my friend Diane wrote a post on her blog and mentioned getting the stink eye…

It has stuck in my head ever since…

I hate getting the stink eye.

I can't stand thinking and feeling guilty that it's coming my way…

And you know when it is because you know you are ignoring things that should be attended to...

Today's issue was a bit more than that, but it walks the line of it.

Which in turn made my whole day sour and anything I did just didn't work out.

Totally miserable…

So I sat in the little coffee shop and ate my lobster bisque and drew this out.

I had difficulties with leaving some blank in between spaces.

I like to fill every nook and cranny…

It was like a breathe of fresh air - sitting and drawing.

Being alone and just thinking about the paper and pen and what was happening…

A change of focus.

Hope for a better day tomorrow...

A Week Ends. Week 8 Challenge. Frosty Goodness...

This is a photo filled post.

So I won't bore you with long details...

My Entry for this week's I Am The Diva Blog Zentangle Challenge.

So relieved that Laura's (she is the above blog's author) baby "Artoo" is out of the hospital and home...

This Top of this "heart" tangle was drawn "blind".

Then I focused on how hard it was not only for him to breathe,

But also the feelings that his parents and others were feeling - wanting him to get better…

How you ache for your child - any child - to not be sick and suffering...

This is a quick snapshot of my week 7 and 8 challenges side by side…

On my way to dropping my little ones off to school this morning I saw this…

I hoped that it would still be there on my way home.

Little ice crystals were clinging to everything in this catch basin. 

I only had my iPhone with me - but I should really start driving with my DSLR…

This area here in Hockessin has a totally different look in summer…

I love living somewhere that we get to experience all the seasons...

Even the trash discarded to the side of the road looked kinda cool with the ice crystals on it.

And this year, the bells stayed out in the garden over winter.

St. John's Wort behind it…

Shadow casting large trees up the hill and into the woods...

Four O'Clock Stem. Picked before the plant totally died. Left on the top of the stone wall. Forgotten about - but not really...

Morning sun peeking over the hill...

Ice in some areas - the snow has been melting, then water freezing…

Pretty when it is out of the walking and car paths...

Yeah. This. Not. So. Pretty…

I despise chewed gum and cigarette butts thrown into my garden or driveway or wherever outside where it can be seen or stepped on… 

Not like the animals can use this…

Although I used to have a dog that would seek out a pack of gum no matter where it was, and would chew and chew and chew it…

Giggling at remembering seeing that happy dog, head tilted sideways, mouth open chewing - big chewing, tail wagging and wagging, just sitting being the happiest of dogs…

Her preference was bubble gum flavor, juicy fruit or a mild mint...

You could hear that dog chewing and salivating from rooms away and would run to get it out of her mouth…

And with that, I am off to the studio to glaze for the rest of the day…

Happy Friday!

Oh, and remember, you have until tomorrow for my silk bundle giveaway on previous post from Wednesday.

Have a great weekend - Do Something FUN!!!

A Week Ends. Week 8 Challenge. Frosty Goodness...

This is a photo filled post.

So I won't bore you with long details...

My Entry for this week's I Am The Diva Blog Zentangle Challenge.

So relieved that Laura's (she is the above blog's author) baby "Artoo" is out of the hospital and home...

This Top of this "heart" tangle was drawn "blind".

Then I focused on how hard it was not only for him to breathe,

But also the feelings that his parents and others were feeling - wanting him to get better…

How you ache for your child - any child - to not be sick and suffering...

This is a quick snapshot of my week 7 and 8 challenges side by side…

On my way to dropping my little ones off to school this morning I saw this…

I hoped that it would still be there on my way home.

Little ice crystals were clinging to everything in this catch basin. 

I only had my iPhone with me - but I should really start driving with my DSLR…

This area here in Hockessin has a totally different look in summer…

I love living somewhere that we get to experience all the seasons...

Even the trash discarded to the side of the road looked kinda cool with the ice crystals on it.

And this year, the bells stayed out in the garden over winter.

St. John's Wort behind it…

Shadow casting large trees up the hill and into the woods...

Four O'Clock Stem. Picked before the plant totally died. Left on the top of the stone wall. Forgotten about - but not really...

Morning sun peeking over the hill...

Ice in some areas - the snow has been melting, then water freezing…

Pretty when it is out of the walking and car paths...

Yeah. This. Not. So. Pretty…

I despise chewed gum and cigarette butts thrown into my garden or driveway or wherever outside where it can be seen or stepped on… 

Not like the animals can use this…

Although I used to have a dog that would seek out a pack of gum no matter where it was, and would chew and chew and chew it…

Giggling at remembering seeing that happy dog, head tilted sideways, mouth open chewing - big chewing, tail wagging and wagging, just sitting being the happiest of dogs…

Her preference was bubble gum flavor, juicy fruit or a mild mint...

You could hear that dog chewing and salivating from rooms away and would run to get it out of her mouth…

And with that, I am off to the studio to glaze for the rest of the day…

Happy Friday!

Oh, and remember, you have until tomorrow for my silk bundle giveaway on previous post from Wednesday.

Have a great weekend - Do Something FUN!!!

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...

Marsha, Remember Form… Copyright Issues Part 3 - Zentangle®

Do you Know what this pretty little Red Square means?

Have you heard about Zentangle®?

I have. I had some questions…

A photo I took of my Christmas Present (the ZT kit)

So I find myself arriving at a place that is a bit more clear, still slightly uneasy, about Copyrights. I still have questions as to how copyrights work in Jewelry designing (my original part 3 topic). But I have stumbled into an area closer to my heart and my work - specifically my drawings and a newly found obsession: Zentangle®


I am almost certain to say that I am not alone in my initial reactions to Zentangle®. Delighted, Interested, Confused, Addicted, still a little confused (I have been drawing patterns for a long time like this! How I am just hearing about this)…


Now to keep this post somewhat short and to the point, I think that with all my looking (links are listed below) around, experimenting with drawings & techniques, I feel confident to say that an actual Zentangle® is done in a short period of time, on a small piece of paper, using a string (in pencil) to begin your design, and by filling in the areas (with a black ink pen) within that string by using patterns and lines with each stroke having a direct intent, then use a pencil to shade in the drawing to make the piece "pop" of the page. The main point is to find relaxation and a state of meditation within those said small drawings - the Zentangles®. 


It is a wonderful way to meditate - really… And very addictive if you are into doodling, drawing, coloring, shading, and the like.

I am no lawyer, law maker, law writer, or professional when it comes to Copyright, Trademark, Patent, etc. But I feel safe again, continuing to draw as I always have done in margins, sketchbooks, napkins, placemats, sugar packets, matchbooks (you get the point right?) and using those items, images, drawings as I want. Here are some pictures of some of my very first clay texture plates (2002) that I carved into clay. 

Marsha Neal Studio Carved Clay Texture Plates

As long as you are not out there trying to re-create what Rick and Maria have created with Zentangle® (they were clever enough to give us parameters, utensils, directions, advice, inspiration, materials - all bundled up in a beautiful green box with a red square on it) then you should feel no animosity towards them for coming up with this wonderful business idea. I thank them for giving me another direction and a purpose (to meditate) through these small drawings.


And as far as I can tell with the coming up with a pattern and naming it - that has got to be for communication purposes. If you were going to teach patterns or reproduce the patterns (in a profitable way) in the method and steps you would probably have to get permission from the Artist or Zentangle® first. It is always best to ask if you are uncertain.


I personally am happy to have a name other than "doodles" to refer to the drawings and patterns that fill my sketchbook and texture plates. And names to be able to call them when I talk to other people interested in drawing like this. 

Marsha Neal Studio Texture Plate and Clay Pendants.

Brings back memories from a business class I took once where they talked about being careful with  branding: Like BandAid® Bandages - there is a brand thing there - the name is BandAid - not the product. Do you ask for a bandage or BandAid®? Do you Zentangle® or Tangle or Draw or Doodle?


Here are some links that I found helpful:
Zentangle's website - legal page.
Zentangle Flickr discussion.
From Sandra's Blog (which has lots of helpful links there).
From Sandy's Blog.
3/5/11 Additon: TanglePatterns.com Copyright 

Join in on the fun! Lots of challenges out there and websites with patterns (I personally had to get some books in hand to be able to sit and obsessively draw out as many as possible to get my head focused).


Want to see some of my tangle drawings? Click HERE.
I would love feedback - what do you think? How do you feel about this? Am I on the right track?


My 2011 Motto: Draw Every Day...

Marsha, Remember Form… Copyright Issues Part 3 - Zentangle®

Do you Know what this pretty little Red Square means?

Have you heard about Zentangle®?

I have. I had some questions…

A photo I took of my Christmas Present (the ZT kit)

So I find myself arriving at a place that is a bit more clear, still slightly uneasy, about Copyrights. I still have questions as to how copyrights work in Jewelry designing (my original part 3 topic). But I have stumbled into an area closer to my heart and my work - specifically my drawings and a newly found obsession: Zentangle®


I am almost certain to say that I am not alone in my initial reactions to Zentangle®. Delighted, Interested, Confused, Addicted, still a little confused (I have been drawing patterns for a long time like this! How I am just hearing about this)…


Now to keep this post somewhat short and to the point, I think that with all my looking (links are listed below) around, experimenting with drawings & techniques, I feel confident to say that an actual Zentangle® is done in a short period of time, on a small piece of paper, using a string (in pencil) to begin your design, and by filling in the areas (with a black ink pen) within that string by using patterns and lines with each stroke having a direct intent, then use a pencil to shade in the drawing to make the piece "pop" of the page. The main point is to find relaxation and a state of meditation within those said small drawings - the Zentangles®. 


It is a wonderful way to meditate - really… And very addictive if you are into doodling, drawing, coloring, shading, and the like.

I am no lawyer, law maker, law writer, or professional when it comes to Copyright, Trademark, Patent, etc. But I feel safe again, continuing to draw as I always have done in margins, sketchbooks, napkins, placemats, sugar packets, matchbooks (you get the point right?) and using those items, images, drawings as I want. Here are some pictures of some of my very first clay texture plates (2002) that I carved into clay. 

Marsha Neal Studio Carved Clay Texture Plates

As long as you are not out there trying to re-create what Rick and Maria have created with Zentangle® (they were clever enough to give us parameters, utensils, directions, advice, inspiration, materials - all bundled up in a beautiful green box with a red square on it) then you should feel no animosity towards them for coming up with this wonderful business idea. I thank them for giving me another direction and a purpose (to meditate) through these small drawings.


And as far as I can tell with the coming up with a pattern and naming it - that has got to be for communication purposes. If you were going to teach patterns or reproduce the patterns (in a profitable way) in the method and steps you would probably have to get permission from the Artist or Zentangle® first. It is always best to ask if you are uncertain.


I personally am happy to have a name other than "doodles" to refer to the drawings and patterns that fill my sketchbook and texture plates. And names to be able to call them when I talk to other people interested in drawing like this. 

Marsha Neal Studio Texture Plate and Clay Pendants.

Brings back memories from a business class I took once where they talked about being careful with  branding: Like BandAid® Bandages - there is a brand thing there - the name is BandAid - not the product. Do you ask for a bandage or BandAid®? Do you Zentangle® or Tangle or Draw or Doodle?


Here are some links that I found helpful:
Zentangle's website - legal page.
Zentangle Flickr discussion.
From Sandra's Blog (which has lots of helpful links there).
From Sandy's Blog.
3/5/11 Additon: TanglePatterns.com Copyright 

Join in on the fun! Lots of challenges out there and websites with patterns (I personally had to get some books in hand to be able to sit and obsessively draw out as many as possible to get my head focused).


Want to see some of my tangle drawings? Click HERE.
I would love feedback - what do you think? How do you feel about this? Am I on the right track?


My 2011 Motto: Draw Every Day...

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…