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Zentangle Diva Challenge #237 – Patterns on the Iberian Peninsula Edition

by Suzanne Fluhr on July 31, 2017 · 19 comments

Moorish tiles from the sinagogue in Cordoba, Spain

This week’s Zentangle Diva challenge is by guest Diva, Henrike Bratz, CZT. Henrike hails from Germany, reflecting the international scope of the Zentangle community. Continuing the international theme, Henrike’s challenge is based on her fascination with the beautiful Portuguese tiles she saw while visiting Lisbon, Portugal.

Henrike deconstructed some of the patterns she saw on Portuguese tiles and asks us to use what she termed the “Lisbon Fragment” in a tile. She suggested a pairing with the tangle Diva Dance, perhaps while listening to fado, a soulful melancholy genre of Portuguese song.

The Lisbon Fragment looked deceptively straight forward, but like so many things that appear simple at first glance, I found the Lisbon Fragment somewhat challenging. I hope to improve my Lisbon Fragment technique with practice. I tried to keep my challenge tile strictly Zentangle:

Zentangle Lisbon Fragment

Henrike’s travel induced inspiration by Portuguese tiles reminded me of the patterns I saw everywhere while visiting Spain, the country that shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal. Please feel free to take a stab at deconstructing any of the following patterns that call out to you:

Decorative panel in the Hotel Porta Fira, Barcelona

This was a decorative panel in the breakfast room in the Hotel Porta Fira in Barcelona, Spain.

Flower from the Marimurtra Botanical Garden, Blanes, Costa Brava, Spain

I came across this beauty in the Marimurtra Botanical Garden in the town of Blanes on the Costa Brava, Catalunya, Spain.

Moorish tiles from the sinagogue in Cordoba, Spain

These tiles by Moorish (Muslim) craftsmen decorated what was a synagogue in Cordoba, Spain before the 15th century Spanish Inquisition.

Finally, this is a view of the ceiling of the perennially unfinished Cathedral of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, designed by the famous Catalunyan architect, Antoni Gaudi. Work on the cathedral started in 1882. It is hoped that the construction will be finished by 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. This fascinating building is very worthy of being added to your travel bucket list.

interior ceiling of the Cathedral of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Where have you found inspiring patterns?

{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }

Annemarie August 1, 2017 at 1:58 am

I think this Lisbon Fragment is a bit more difficult then we (for now I’m talking about you, Jean and myself) thought 🙂
I like your tile and it’s composition anyway!

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Carmela Claessens-Soro August 1, 2017 at 11:09 am

I found it also a challenge, the Lisbon…………But you made a very nice piece.

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michele August 1, 2017 at 12:00 pm

I love the variation of texture you achieved with this. I see patterns everywhere. Every now and then I’ll take a picture and then when I need to feng shui my photo gallery, they’re usually the first one’s to go:-P I had several pictures of hubcaps, thinking they’d make interesting zendala strings, which I’m sure they would if I ever took the time to actually deconstruct something.
In reference to your comment about art tissue transfer coloring on my blog post, here’s the URL for the tutorial I used:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Suzen-Art-558776260801213/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1422628324415998

I also added the link at the end of my blog post.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 1, 2017 at 6:08 pm

Thanks for the link!!

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Maggibee August 1, 2017 at 12:39 pm

I have to admit I felt a bit Gaudi’ed out by the time we finished with Barcelona; sometimes it feels as if that’s all there is and yet there is so much more to that city. I also feel a bit – “OH do get on with it…” about the Sagrada Familia. Perhaps I just have a bad attitude. And, like you, I struggled to get a satisfactory finish on my Lisbon Fragment. It looked so good when Henrike did it, not so for me. You, on the other hand, by sticking to Mother Ship basics, have made a good job of it.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 1, 2017 at 6:11 pm

Definitely more to Barcelona than Gaudi. I like that Sagrada Familia is not yet finished. It gives me an excuse to make return visits to Barcelona.

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roz warren August 10, 2017 at 7:47 pm

I, too, enjoyed the fact that it was unfinished.

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Maggibee August 1, 2017 at 12:40 pm

And, by the way, I am not listening to Fado. It hurts my ears!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 1, 2017 at 6:09 pm

Fado, like Flamenco, can approximate wailing.

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Jean Chaney August 1, 2017 at 1:35 pm

Guess I should read the entire post and followed the directions. I guess I missed the Diva Dance part. It does compliment it nicely. Beautiful tile that follows directions.
I have been know to take photos of bathroom floors/walls, carpets in hotels, and occasionally request permission to snap a picture of someone’s piece of interesting patterned clothing!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 1, 2017 at 6:12 pm

I drive my husband a little batty with my stopping to take photos of patterns everywhere we go.

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Anita A Westin August 2, 2017 at 9:27 am

Thank´s for sharing your pics of tiles and patterns you think of in this challenge! Love the way Diva Dance surround the fragment!

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Trudi August 2, 2017 at 10:43 am

Looks super Suzanne!

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Michele ºÜº August 2, 2017 at 5:55 pm

I like your Diva Dance. I’m not too good with it, especial in the round. I think I don’t put enough bumps in it. 😉 I also like the movement you have with the one in the middle, as it feels like water. 🙂

Also, thanks for your sweet compliment on my tile this week. 🙂 I’m glad I could inspire you. I’ve grown to love shading.

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Nan August 2, 2017 at 6:31 pm

I find myself speechless. I am not a Zentangle anything other than I love looking at them. The one here is breathtaking and the pictures – wow. I love how you see beautiful in so many things the rest of us might overlook. I find myself looking at details around me now. Thank you.

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Margaret Bremner August 4, 2017 at 1:07 pm

Nicely done! I like how you filled alternate squares on the right. That’s a thought for my next effort. 😉

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Donald Wilka August 4, 2017 at 10:09 pm

Your description of Lisbon fragment is very accurate. I did something that I have not done in a ong time. I practiced in my journal a few times before trying it on a tile. I still struggled with it. You did well with it though. I think it is hard to get it consistent. I do not like to use a straight edge to accomplish this. Like your pictures but will pass on trying to deconstruct any of them. The Diva Dance compliments it well.

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Agness of eTramping August 5, 2017 at 12:32 pm

I couldn’t agree more with you. The Portuguese tiles are stunning and truly inspiring. From what region in Portugal are these tiles?

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Heike August 5, 2017 at 1:55 pm

I love the contrast in your tile and the way diva dance looks like water eddying around a fallen leaf.

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