[New to Zentangle? Start here.]
This week, the Zentangle Diva’s guest Diva, CZT Katie Crommett, challenged us to “keep it simple”. In the United States, we use the acronym K.I.S.S., meaning Keep It Simple Stupid, but a Zentangle Diva would never call someone “stupid”, so I’ve left off the second “s” in my blog post title.
My tile looks more complex than it is. I used a Z string which is what CZT’s usually use in introduction to Zentangle classes. I used Shattuck, Sand Swirl and Hollibough because they are 3 of my favorite tangles and I use them so often, I could produce them in the state of mindfulness Katie wanted us to achieve. It is also “simple” to add depth to these with shading.
Whenever I’m trying to be mindful, I envy Dino, our 10 year old cockapoo. Dino seems to very much live in the moment. He doesn’t worry very far into the future. As far as I can tell, most of his future concerns are limited to the very near future. Lawyers and judges often write about the “parade of horribles” that might result from a particular thing or action. As a recovering lawyer, whereas my mind often wanders over to that “horribles” parade, Dino sits under my feet while I’m cooking, concentrating like a laser beam on the possibility that I might “accidentally” drop something delicious. (BTW, he finds all sorts of things delicious—even dried up dead crabs that we come across on our walks). While I’m pretty much a raging insomniac because I can’t turn off my thinking, as I’m writing this blog post, Dino is chillaxing.
The calming effects of the Zentangle method are enhanced for me, if I sit on the couch, doing one stroke at a time with my tile and pen, next to my furry tranquilizer. If you can use a furry uplift too, check out my “Dino & Other Cute Dogs” Pinterest board. Feel free to add a photo of your furry friend to the board.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
i like your tile, very nice and your cute dog too
What a great example of simplicity — doing the beloved and familiar, where you can ease into your stroke and lines. Beautiful result. Dino is ADORABLE! Dogs truly are the best examples of what a worry-free life looks like. 🙂 Thanks!
I see a lace-up corset. I have no idea why that came into my head, but it’s what I saw. 😉
That makes perfect sense, Patti. The “Hollibough” tangle looks like crossed corset stays if you’re looking for it to be something.
Very cute!
Yes, Suzanne, we can learn so much from animals!!!
What a nice tile and cute dog. Funny that you posted a picture of your dog Dino, because before I even read the post I looked at your tile and saw the head of a Dino(saur), so how funny coincidence is that.
I like your approach of simplicity, to use your 3 go to patterns.
Nice choice of patterns! I like the Z-string as well, it looks like a relaxing piece of work 🙂
You did a lovely job of keeping your tile simple. That’s not always easy. Your dog looks like a sweetie. Most of us have a horrible place in our minds. Letting go isn’t easy either.
Very lovely tile! Love your cute little dog!
I love this, Suzanne, and I actually really like knowing what other people’s go-to tangles are…it tends to expand my horizons. I forget about Shattuck all the time and it really is so lovely. I’m right there with you…my dog Spike can embrace simplicity and breathing on a dime. Lucky dog.
Great tile, Suzanne! One of the beauties of Zentangle is that it make the simple look complex. Your tangling gets better and better. Nice job shading, too!
So, when life gets to you do you think WWDD (What would Dino do)? 🙂 Ah, that we could live in the moment like our animals. They are such good teachers. The fact that Dino is so cute doesn’t hurt either!
Thank you, Maureen. I don’t have to WWDD. He’d take a nap. Always good advice. 😉
Great tile! It looks like Dino has mastered the art of living simply!!!
Like that the tangles you chose all have simple strokes. Another way to simplify. I guess that you could substitute “silly” for the last s. A little less derogatory.
Lovely tile and what a fun post!! 🙂 KISS – last one is Silly 🙂 It is not actually renovation for the most part – it is repair mostly from a brutal winter – but a little extra 🙂 Thank you for the reminder zentangle can help. (But also still trying to run my business from home)
~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog/2015/07/my-diva-katie-crommett-simplicity-challenge