When I was born on April 22nd many decades ago, Earth Day didn’t exist. What did exist was radioactive rain, atmospheric atomic bomb testing, rivers that were so polluted they caught fire and couldn’t support any form of life, and dumping of all manner of nastiness into the oceans and seas. Then in 1962, Rachel Carson published The Silent Spring about the despoilation of the Earth by the widespread use of highly toxic pesticides like DDT. This led to an interest in ecological science and despite the hue and cry of big chemical companies, in 1970, the United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That same year, the United States celebrated Earth Day for the first time on April 22nd. Most of the world’s countries joined the international Earth Day movement in 1990.
Fittingly, this week the Zentangle™ Diva challenged us to recognize Earth Day in some way. This resulted in some firsts for me. This is the first challenge in which I’ve participated since becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT™), complete with a certificate suitable for framing.
Believe it or not, it’s also the first time I’ve used a Mother Ship approved Zendala Renaissance tile and the first time I’ve used the Rock n’ Roll version of the Diva Dance tangle in a challenge. I learned it last week in Providence. I’ve celebrated Earth Day on my zendala tile with flowers, pearls and the ocean, represented by the tangle Sand Swirl which is done with sparkly blue pens which doesn’t really show up very well on the scan.
There were 16 countries represented in my CZT #18 training group. Hopefully, we are all being responsible stewards of our shared planet.
PS: I don’t know if I’ll be able to tackle next Monday’s challenge. On Sunday evening, I put on my travel blogger hat and fly to Barcelona, Spain for a travel blogging conference. I arrive there on Monday morning and will probably be staggering some from jet lag that day.
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow – your Zendala is lovely! I love the look of Diva Dance, but I’m not really all that proficient with it…which unfortunately means I don’t use it too often ^_^ Happy early birthday! (And I’m still jealous that you got to go the the CZT seminar…grumble grumble ^_^)
Daniel, but look how long I had to wait to go to a CZT training. You weren’t eve alive when I started waiting 😉
LOL…touche, touche. Although…depending on how long before you made your “What Is Zentangle and Is it Habit Forming?” post you actually discovered Zentangle, I might have found it before you. By, like, a week or so. ^_^ And the fact still remains that you got to go before me…so yeah, I guess I’m not speaking to you out of jealousy now.
…
…Oh, wait.
^_^
Young man, when I was your age, we had to stand up to change the channel on the TV and the internet wasn’t even a gleam in Al Gore’s eye. That’s why I get to go to the CZT training before you do. One thing at a time. First, graduate from high school. I’ve paid so many life dues to be able to go to something like this, it’s kind of depressing. There were lots of younger folks there, so I think you’ll make it before you’re my <> age 😉
you guys, this conversation is hilarious. <3
Thank you. I used watercolor on mixed-media paper.
I have enjoyed reading your various posts. Lively and interesting!
Lovely zendala. I think the colors capture the spirit of the earth day beautifully.
Fantastic artistically done diva challenge work! It is so complete and well drawn. Congratulations on your CZT!! You deserve it for studying and putting out so much great art. Great!!
Sarah.
Congratulations..new CZT. Beautiful tile and safe travels.
What an absolutely gorgeous tile – love the patterns, the colours, everything! And huge congratulations on your CZT designation. Some day I hope to follow in your footsteps.
Lovely zendala. Congratulations on becoming a CZT and have a fun and safe trip.
Thank you, Laurel. As you know, your website was the gateway dig to my Zentangle addiction. 😉
Very interesting tile. Kind of mesmerizing. I think I see a little bit of an oil slick in there somewhere!! Been listening to too much coverage of the BP oil disaster which I think has an anniversary today? The residual damage is ongoing and devastating on so many levels and they, of course, are spending a kazillion dollars spinning what a fabulous job they are doing to resuscitate the area. Apparently, the shrimp are showing up with cancer. Who knew a shrimp could get cancer? Stop letting the oil companies buy people who make policy. Anyway, your tile says to me, there is still much beauty here, but take care – be better stewards – much, much better stewards of this lovely planet.
Maddy, you’re right, the green I chose to fill in around the flower definitely came out looking muddy/oil slicky.
Beautiful Zendala! And congratulations on becoming a CZT. 🙂
Happy Birthday from Najero, Spain! We are hoping to make it to Barcelona after we walk and before we zone out in Aix en Provence. Would love to take the Gaudi tour and see the cathedral. Have fun at the conference!
Patti, I’ll miss meeting you IRL at the conference. I’ve been assiduously (jealously) following your progress on the Camino de Santiago. I hope you make it to Barcelona. Lots to see there and the Sagrada Familia is pretty amazing. I last saw it in 2009 and will pay it another visit this time to see the progress they’ve made in construction. Construction started in 1882. I’m starting to doubt whether it will be completed in my lifetime.
Nice choice of patterns! And… happy birthday!! 🙂
Hi Suzanne,
Love it! Such a fun hobby, and one that can take up those long hours on a plane.
Hope you have a wonderful time in Barcelona and environs. Wonderful place, that.
Josie
Congrats on many fronts! You must be so proud to have gotten your certification as a CZT. And all the firsts today, too! A beautiful tile! Have fun in Spain.
Well, as always Suzanne, lots to think about. That tile is excellent and the colours work soooo well. Glad you enjoyed the CZT. Rumour has it that they may do one in Europe, in which case, I cross every digit that I can make it. Being about the same age as you, a little older, perhaps, I remember all the things you mention- the Ban the Bomb marches, the Exxon Valdes and so on and yes, we may have paid our dues but part of me says EVERY day should be Earth Day. It’s all we have.
Oh yes, I hope you enjoy Barcelona, it’s certainly a lovely place, if a bit over Gaudied at times!
It will be interesting to see if Rick and Maria decide to do a training in Europe. It would be quite an organizational feat to pull it off. Also, they managed to fill a class of 112 with attendees from 16 countries in Providence, Rhode Island, , of all places, so it seems quite a lot of people find a way to get there. We had a lot of Asians in our class—-impressive. I’m still voting for you to make it across The Pond for a CZT training in Providence.
Very beautiful! And very symbolic as well. I wish you a great time in Barcelona!
I must give the Renaissance tiles a try, your tile is beautiful!
Enjoy the conference and Happy Birthday!
~ joey ~
Congratulations Suzanne on becoming a Zentangle master guru. That is very cool and you are so enthusiastic about it. All the best.
Lovely, Suzanne! I used Diva Dance too (wonder why!)..but shied away from color because I have so many issues with it. Your colors are so subtle and they work so well together. Safe travels next week!
Congratulations, partner in crime! So happy that you are part of this extraordinary group of diverse people who all agree one at least one thing = the positive powers of Zentangle. Lovely round tile work, and I hope you have another wonderful trip!
Oh you’re back from your CZT weekend! So excited…my friend Dave Hunter is away this weekend, and I’m HUNGRY to see what he has when he gets back.
Your Earth Day tile is wonderful. I love the color combination and the shapes. It’s terrific!
At first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Hope the sun will shine for you today!
Second: CONGRATULATIONS new CZT!!!
I like your zendala, it’s very pretty and has lovely coloring!
Mother Ship approved made me giggle. I love your zendala. Have fun in Barcelona!! i’m jealous, but not as jealous as Daniel seems to be. haha!! Have a great time.
Happy happy birthday! You have been so busy I am surprised you have time to tangle, but at least it’s an enjoyable busy. Your zendala is beautiful…those colors are sooo renaissance feeling. Enjoy your trip next week and we will look forward to your next travel/tangle post whenever you get around to it.
At the risk of repeating what has been said before: Happy Birthday, Congratulations on completing the CZT training, enjoy your trip, and beautiful tile!
Congratulations and HB! Your response shows a bit of influence from your recent trip to Turkey. Was that intentional or do you think the inspiration just seeped into your consciousness? Nicely done. Safe travels, as always. Have a brilliant day! c
Such a lovely Zendala and a wonderful story to boot! Good luck on your trip and have fun!