Custom Zentangle - Seeing Stars & Twisted Stars

I responded:

“Oh boy did you open a can of worms with this question. I had an entire semester devoted to trying to answer this question in Grad School. To begin you have to define what art is and then you have to define what craft is.  Here is my evolving definition of What is Art with with a Capital A.

Some would say that the difference between art and craft is 3 fold.
That the main differences are functions, price, and reproducibility or originality.  But, I have seen craft that is NOT functional and art that is. Others say that the difference is monetary, but I’ve seen craft that is incredibly expensive and art that isn’t. And of course the final criteria, of reproducibility, well… in this modern age all you have to do is look at the computer and printing technology to see art being reproduced in “limited editions” in the 50 and 100s.

I personally think that the difference is in the final use. If you create art to be used or reproduced in some fashion, such as on products in art licensing then I would say it is craft. However, if you create or use art to decorate or in a purely visual or aesthetic manner then it might be classified  as art. This means that the same piece of art that you hang on the wall if re-purposed or reused on a mug can be both art and craft!”

What do you think?

Custom Zen tangle derived from an old drawing of an architectural drawing.

1. Using your ruler, draw a horizontal line on your paper.

• Use the horizontal line as the center for drawing your 2 largest half circles: Circle A and Circles B.

2. Using your compass, draw a large half circle: Circle A, of any size.

3. Place the your compass on the point where the horizontal line and the first circle: Circle A meet. [*Labeled point B on the diagram.] Don’t change the size of your compass. Draw a second half circle: Circle B of the same size as Circle A.

4. Using the 2 points at the top and bottom, where Circle A and Circle B intersect [*Point C and Point D on diagram] draw a vertical line with your ruler. Where this line intersects the horizontal line is the center or the Origin. [Labeled O].

5. Adjust your compass so that it starts on the outer edge of one of the larger circles and goes to the origin. Using this as your compasses size draw 4 half circles inside of the 2 large circles.  One that starts on each outer edge Point A and Point B. *See the diagram.

6. Draw the vertical lines between these 4 half circles. [*Point E to Point H and Point F to Point G]

7. Using the points [*Point I and Point J] where these lines intersect the horizontal line, draw your final 2 circles, which are the top of your heart, using the diameter from Point I to Point B as size.

8. Erase the top line and the inner lines and volia! A perfect heart!

How to draw a perfect heart with just a ruler and a compass!

Color names are not standardized. So when you are buying paint the name in the tube doesn’t really mean anything. (It’s more of a marketing tool.) To actually know why the color is and what is actually in the tube you’re better off using the universal color labeling code on the back. The universal color labeling system used by manufactures is referred to as the Color Index International and looks like this: PBr 7.
P means it is a pigment rather then a dye.
Br means refers to the general hue, in this case brown.
7 is it’s assigned number.

Color is described by these 3 labels that correspond to the 3 main properties of color: hue, value and chroma. Hue essentially means the name of the color family. For example, pink and maroon are both hues of red. Value is the lightness or darkness of the color. Pink is a lighter value or the hue red then maroon which is a much darker value of the hue red. A good way to think of this is, “if I converted this color to gray how light or dark would it be?” And finally chroma, which means concentration or the purity of the color, whether it is dull or intense.

Zen tangle is a web site touting doodling repeating patterns as meditation. What is so nice about this site though is the simple visual diagrams of how to create a variety of repeating patterns found in their newsletter archives. They have a starter kit, books and DVD for sale as well, but I think the real value in this site is the underlying ideas for creation.

Zen Tangle reminded me of how much I used to love drawing abstract art. It reminded me of what a great stress relief doodling can be from the time-consuming computer art endeavors I am often involved in. And with the onset of carpel tunnel in both hands and the serious swelling of the feet I get from sitting too long in front of the computer (being pregnant isn’t easy!) I decided it was well past time that I resurrect an old habit.

[Caution: reminiscing ahead... I used to stop in a bar called the Philosophers Club in San Francisco, CA that was right off the MUNI before trekking the half mile up hill to my small efficiency basement apartment. I would sit there and draw these abstract repeating designed in blue and purple pens, rotating them around to view all four sides as I went. Sometimes I would pass them down the bar to other patrons and ask them what they saw. Then I would pick out or emphasize the creations they described. Here's one of these REALLY old school abstract drawings, Circa 1998!]

One of the things Zen Tangle forgets to discuss in their tutorials (or perhaps its in their starter kit) is the creation of the basic underlying shape for the pattern. On their tiles they use a series of curving overlapping lines to create abstract organic shapes that they them use as holders for the Zen Tangle patterns. But why not use more traditional shapes, or basic cartooned animals, or any other type of contour line drawing? Here’s a semi finalized and very whimsical drawing of sheep on mushrooms that combines a tiny spiraling patterns with a basic technique for cartooning sheep.

A quick pen andn ink sketch of 4 sheep standing on mushrooms.

They also don’t talk much about the incorporation of color in a Zen tangle. I can see why though as keeping track of the pattern becomes harder with the addition of color.

Another idea that they explore in their art gallery section is the idea of using repeating patterns as decorative motifs on interior design objects. It seems to me that the Zen Tangle web site reflects an overall trend emerging.

More and more I am see in intricate detailed pattern gracing up-cycled lamps, folk and retro style animals designs, and in mainstream interior design patterns. Are we reverting to a more Victorian or Arts and Craft like style of ornamentation and intricate pattern as this recession progresses? Is the desire for beauty and ordination intrinsically linked to societies economic status? I don’t know by its and interesting hypothesis.

I checked out the review of Zen Tangle’s books on Amazon and they were mixed. Some complained that the first book was to short, others that the second book had repeats. In one of the last reviews of the fourth book a purchaser compares zentangle to neopoprealism. To read more about Neo Pop Realism and my review and rebuttal of this style see my next post, on Neo Pop realism.

I had hoped to find one big fat compilation of all their patterns to add to my reference books, but instead found 3 or 4 books by the Zen Tangle authors and 3-4 by one Sandy Bartholomew. (Sandy is a certified zen tangle instructor and author of the web site, Beez in the Belfry.) To become a certified Zen Tangle instructor sign up for their newsletter as you have to attend one of their conferences or workshops. I did however find one book touting the addition of color to tangle, which I may order in the hopes of a more advanced perspective.

All in all I very glad for the inspiration, reminder and re-incorporation of repeating patterns that Zen tangle gave me. Their instructions are nice and simple. They are easy enough for just about any level of artist, from beginner to advanced, looking for a instructions on how to create repeating patterns.

Pinterest acts like a digital cork-board or like an ideas journal. You basically can save just about any photo you find on the internet. The best part though is that it retains the link to the original site. This is really nice in that you can make reference or go back to the site if you can’t remember the artist’s name or if you want to reread the directions for that cool DIY project you wanted to try.

Pinterest can also act as a social network and as a trend tracker. You can link to friends to see what they are looking at, or to share what you find. They can comment on your pictures or contribute to one of your boards. So pinterest can serve as a project idea coordination tool. If you are interested in trend tracking and what people you can surf the entire site by topic.

Another use for pinterest is to create a digital christmas shopping list. For example, if you have an iPad and you use the new catalogue app that lets you surf all sorts of catalogs like Crate and Barrel you can then “pin” your favorite items to pinterest for later.

There’s only one real problem with pinterest and that is they don’t have a iPad app yet. There is however a workaround. You just copy and paste their bookmark code into you bookmark section. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to use pinterest on the iPad.

You also have to request an invite. Don’t ask me why.

I read in a post somewhere that in the greeting card industry birthday themes accounted for nearly 60% of sales. Following that in second places was Christmas themes. And I’ve seen mention of some of the more common themes in blog posts, but never a full list. (If there can truly be such a thing as a complete list So I thought I would start and share my own.  You can start with my post on Art Licensing and Marketing Dates and then list ideas of traditional symbols for these holiday and events as a good brain storming tool. Care to contribute to the Art Licensing them List? If you can think of more themes that I’ve forgotten or missed add them to post by commenting. 

• Birthday
• Party / Entertaining: coffee, tea, martinis, cheese plates
• Holidays
• Christmas – Christmas Trees, Santa, reindeer, and sleighs, Christmas Ornaments, wreaths, angels,  nut cracker, stockings, mantels and fireplaces, stars, candles…
• Boxing day – ?
• Hanukkah – Dreidel, Menorah, Star of David
• Kwanzaa – ?
• New Years Eve – Hat, Noise maker, Champagne
• Yule – ?
• Winter Solstice – ?
• Martin Luther King Day – ?
• Imbolc (Pagen Holiday) – ?
• Ground Hog Day – Ground hog, Shadows
• Superbowl Sun – All things football
• Marti Gras (Fat Tues.!) – Beads, Green, gold and purple, masks, floats, …
• Lent – ?
• Valentine’s day – Hearts, Kisses
• Saint Patrick’s Day – Shamrock, green, Irish
• Spring Equinox – ?
• Ostara (Pagen Holiday) – ?
• Easter – Bunny rabbits, Peeps, eggs, flowers (daffodils)
• Beltane (Pagen Holiday) – ?
• Mother’s Day – ?
• Graduation (HS and College) – Cap and Gowns, certificates
• Father’s day – father and child/en
• Grandparent’s day
• Summer Solstice & Litha (Pagen Holiday)
• Fourth of July – Fireworks, flags
• Mabon (Pagen Holiday) – ?
• Start of Fall – Autumn Equinox –
• Back to school – Notebooks, school buses
• Halloween & Samhain (Pagen Holiday) –
• Thanksgiving – Turkeys, pumpkins, pie, table, cornucopia…
• Black Friday –
• Cyber Monday – shopping online
• Spring / Summer
• Fall – red and gold leaves
• Winter – Snowflakes, sleds, snowmen
• Lodge – Moose, Pine trees, cabins, etc.
• Tropical / Beach: Sea Shells, star fish, sea horses, beach towels and umbrellas, etc.
• Nature – leaves, ferns, flowers, trees…
• Femininity
• Girlfriends – women lunching
• Faith – traditional religious symbols
• Family – Kids
• Kitchen: fruit, vegetables ( hot peppers, lemons, etc…)
• Country Living & Farm: Roosters, cows, chickens
• Pets: Kittens and Puppies

Now that you’ve sen the list the challenge becomes, how do you paint, or draw a different take on these often depicted themes? 

Send me some pictures with a short write up on your thoughts, style or technique and or what makes your artwork original and different.

Thought I’d share the list. Did I miss any?

• Christmas – Dec. 25 – 60% of seasonal sales
• Boxing day – Dec. 26 (Sales)
• Hanukkah – Dec. 20 -28
• Kwanzaa – Dec. 26 – Jan 1
• New Years Eve – Dec. 31
• Yule – Dec. 21
• Winter Solstice – Dec. 22
• Martin Luther Kind Day -Tues Jan. 17
• Imbolc (Pagen Holiday) – Feb. 2
• Ground Hog Day – Feb. 2
• Superbowl Sun – Feb. 5
• Marti Gras (Fat Tues.!) – Feb. 21
• Lent – Date?
• Valentine’s day – 25% of seasonal sale, Feb. 14, 2012
• Saint Patrick’s Day – March 17
• Spring Equinox – March 20 in Northern Hemisphere, Sept 22 in Southern Hemisphere
• Ostara (Pagen Holiday) – March 21
• Easter – April 8, 2012
• Beltane (Pagen Holiday) – April 30 -May 1
• Mother’s Day – Second Sun of May
• Graduation (HS and College) – Often in early to Mid May
• Father’s day – 3rd Sun of June
• Grandparent’s day  – Date?
• Summer Solstice & Litha(Pagen Holiday) – June 21
• Fourth of July – July 4th (USA and Canada)
• Mabon (Pagen Holiday) – Sept. 21
• Start of Fall – Autumn Equinox – Sept 22 in Northern Hemisphere and March 20th in Southern Hemisphere
• Back to school – Late summer or Fall. Date is dependent on age and grade.
• Halloween & Samhain (Pagen Holiday) – Oct. 31
• Thanksgiving – Nov. 24, [Canada, Oct. 10]
• Black Friday – Nov. 25 (Sales)
• Cyber Monday – Nov. 28 (Sales)