Our snow in Philadelphia this winter has thus far been more picturesque than annoying. Here, reflecting Philadelphia’s long-standing commitment to public art, snow coats the allegorical statue of a lion (French monarchy) crushing a serpent (Evil). Sculpted in 1832 by French artist, Antoine-Louis Barye, it was cast in bronze in 1892 and installed in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square in 1892.
I have to admit, this hasn’t been a very trying winter here in the Delaware Valley (Philadelphia and environs). We’ve had only real snow of 3-5 inches and within days it was 65 degrees. Still, it’s darker and grayer, and I can feel Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) starting to rear its ugly head. Consequently, I’m very happy to report that if all goes according to plan, I’ll be responding to next week’s Zentangle Diva challenge in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Looking down on Honolulu from the central mountains of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
This year, I managed to convince Mr. Dr. Excitement, that in the grand scheme of things, the earth will not stop spinning on its axis if he were to be physically away from his laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania for 4 weeks. My compelling arguments:
- The week in Honolulu will be mostly “work” for him–consulting at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and speaking at a conference there. (P.S.: Don’t worry about me entertaining myself.)
- At age 63, he isn’t getting any younger, and with the exception of his grandmother who lived to be almost 98, longevity doesn’t exactly run in his family. In other words, carpe diem.
- There’s an Azamara cruise to a part of the world we’ve never visited (Baja California and the Sea of Cortez) that leaves on February 9th from San Diego and San Diego is on the way back home to Philadelphia from Hawaii.
- We can “fill in” the time between the Honolulu conference and the start of the cruise, by spending a week on Kauai, another Hawaiian island known as the Garden Isle.
- Thanks to the internet, he can be in touch with his laboratory as much as he
thinks heneeds to be.
I’m happy to report that he succumbed to my lawyerly persuasive skills much more quickly than I anticipated — like in a nanosecond.
The Pacific Ocean off the beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. I never tire of these colors.
Zentangle peeps (and travel peeps who could perhaps benefit from a meditative art form to keep calm during unexplained airport delays), if you’re still reading, this week’s Zentangle Diva challenge was to use the tangle from the Mother Ship known as Drawings. There is definitely a wing-like component to this tangle; hence, the name of this tangle is a play on words that probably perhaps only other tanglers will appreciate. I thought I’d try to do a “pure” Zentangle in black, white and graphite shading on a 3.5 square. However, I’ve been working in color a lot lately, so the end result seemed drab (oops, forgot to take a photo for the “before”), and I succumbed to the siren call of my colored pencils and produced this Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA).
Until next week, Aloha.
(This post contains an affiliate link for colored pencils. If you buy my favorite brand of colored pencils using that link, Boomeresque receives a tiny very small commission that does not affect your price).
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I can see the Hawaiian influence on your beautifully colorful tile, Suzanne. It looks like one of those exotic flowers that I’ll never see. Enjoy your trip.
Thanks, Jean. I think you might be able to find some Hawaiian flowers in mainland US botanical gardens.
Very nice, Suzanne! This is a pattern I struggle with – definitely need more practice.
Suzanne, so glad you decided to add color! It would have been fine without it, but the color gives it great highlights. Your tile has an exotic feel to it. Wouldn’t this look great printed on fabric? Can you imagine clothing covered with the artwork on this tile? Hummmmm.
Enjoy your trip. Sounds like you might be away when winter “attacks” the east coast! 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Maureen. Let me put it this way. I won’t be sorry if I’m away when winter “attacks” the east coast. 🙂
I like it in the floral motif. Interesting…will need to try that.
Beautiful!! And of course..I love how colorful it is! Have a wonderful trip to Hawaii w/ Dr. Excitement! 🙂
Lovely sunny colours which give your tile an exotic look! I wish you and your husband a pleasant stay in Hawai and a wonderful cruise.
At the moment, we also have pretty cold weather and a lot of snow but for me, the weather is not so important, I like every season with his own beautiful moments, always summer would be very boring, but also too long winter. I’m glad we have 4 seasons.
I too never tire of the colors of the Pacific Ocean around the Hawaiian Islands (or any semi-tropical or tropical beach). Your photograph is a beautiful example.
We so rarely get more than a dusting of snow that instantly melts anymore in Portland that I find it to be a lovely treat (for the most part). We’ve just had deep snow for 7 days (last seen here in the 1950s), and it has united out neighborhood in playing in it (as well as coping with it). Ice is an entirely different story.
Bon voyage, Leslie
It seems that the Pacific Northwest has had one storm after another this year. I agree that the first day or two of a big snow are fun and unifying for the community. Then, when people have to return to school and work, it’s a pain.
Did I ever tell you Abi and I were married in Honolulu? Now you know just in case I hadn’t. 🙂 Kauai is stunning, but I am partial to Maui and the Big Island. Living in Honolulu is pretty much just like living in any other busy city – it just happens to be on an island. Maui and the Big Island feel like Hawaii to me. There is something in the air.
The Sea of Cortez is lovely. My BFF and her husband formerly owned a home literally on the shore of the Sea of Cortez in southern Baja and we were fortunate enough to visit twice.
To date, our weather has also been fairly mild, but they keep predicting we’re going to get slammed. We will see what February brings. Aloha!
Beautiful drawing. Hawaii sounds wonderful right about now. Enjoy.
I cope with winter’s cold here (which we haven’t seen much of) by going out and dancing in it! I LOVE winter, even more if we ever get snow (occasionally like every few years). I was raised mostly in places with tons of snow each year – the year I left one area for good was the worst blizzard to ever hit the area. It took awhile but I finally began to miss snow, years later. I like four definite seasons.
LOVE your colorful Zentangle!! Then again I like all your Zentangles!
Frankly I’m jealous- and I’m supposed to be in the middle of summer! I hear the carpe diem thing quite loud – my partner retires on Friday and we already have months of travel planned! It’s the only reason we don’t have a dog… BTW if Dino ever needs a friend to look after him…
I like the way your Drawings turned out! Hope you have a great time in a warm(er) place.
Wonderful Drawings with lovely colours 🙂
I like your approach to Drawings. I’ve not worked out how to use with other tangles yet, other than to plonk it on top of them. I enjoy reading about what life is like in your part of the world and your travels.
Lovely colorful tile! The water always fascinates me! Have a great trip!
Wow Suzanne! This is one of my favourite versions of Drawings! I love the leaf-like quality you’ve given it (I’m not fond of the wings it usually looks like)! Beautiful!
Very pretty pattern and colors. Enjoy your time in Hawaii. I’m in Seoul for the winter and luckily we’ve been having a fine winter as well. Today is our first “snow day” and I would say less than 3 inches. It should all be gone by tomorrow. It’s weird to be here for the winter. I’m having fun taking cooking classes, traveling a bit in-country, visiting museums and whatever else strikes my muse. I’ve declared today a snow day, so I think I’ll cook up a batch of something low carb.
Sounds amazing. Wish I could tag along in your suitcase. Enjoy the cruise and Hawaii.
I think that law school just paid for itself! What a fantastic argument… I was nodding my head all the way! I’m ready to go! Have a WONDERFUL trip! Don’t forget to pack some art supplies (I have to remember to pack clothes, as I always pack PLENTY of supplies)! I really enjoyed your unique almost plant like feel to drawings. It looks like an exotic tropical flower growing on a vine in…. hmmm… maybe Hawaii!!
I love everything your interpretation of Drawings! It works wonderfully for plants/flowers! Wishing you a fantastic time in beautiful Hawaii! I’m jealous! 🙂
Nice work with color. Will brighten things up. Are winter has been pretty mild also. We have not really had any snow to speak of. When it has snowed it has usually turned to rain and leaves very little on the ground.
I absolutely love your interpretation of Drawings. The wings have a very leafy quality that I must now try. Thanks for the inspiration. Wishing you happy trails and safe travels.
Neat, this Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) is totally new to me! Good idea for flying days for sure, although I love my Kindle app on my smartphone when I’m waiting for planes. Thanks for sharing!
The powers of persuasion! You make such a compelling argument, how could Mr. Excitement refuse. Have a wonderful trip and I love the colored pencil accents.
Looks really great 😀