Lent in the Artful Way You Can Start Anytime

Daily reflecting through miniature pieces of art anybody can do.This Lent I cam across Artful Lent Prompt  by Tamara Paterson. I decided  to try even though I found out about day 8. Better to start somewhere than not at all. Though it is a journal project i applied my twisted line drawings to them, They are black and white art created through, simple, structured patterns in a small size meant to be relaxing and fulfilling.Small in size, 3.5 x 3.5", so it can be completed in a reasonable time= a successful challenge for me.  I thought it would be a great way to better to connect to God. through this gift of creativity and art he gave me. You too can create art for a way to relax and focus.  And to connect to God if you desire. Give it a try.

Day 9: Artful Lent Prompt.
Mark 6:31  Rest

I find much comfort out in nature. The wonder of how things work, grow and work together. I mean there is a full functioning body inside insects smaller than the head of a pin...amazing.

I love trees and what a great place to rest.The sun going down or just coming up at that quiet time. When I can reflect on the day ahead or behind and have a conversation with God.

Day 8: Artful Lent Prompt. 

James 2:17 Matt 5:14.  Comfort

Oh the comfort of my mom./there is nothing like it. She was always there. Now a mother of four, I am often called upon to give comfort. I go to God for wisdom and help with  my kids more often than I bet he wants to hear from me. Comforting is one of the easy parts, the right answers can be the touchy part.

I start with a pencil sketch after I free hand the border. Draw in some of my pattern ideas.Then proceed with putting in the ink lines with a Pigma artist marker, .01 black. 

Day 10: Artful Lent Prompt. 
Matt 11:28. Isaiah 41:3. Isaiah 40:31.  Strength

I get my strength through prayer. I couldn't have gotten through so the many challenges in my life without the strength I get ,conversation,and listening time during my prayers.My patter for the back ground is to lead toward the cross/God. I started with this one pattern inside but ended up not caring for it.

 

The drops right around the center of the cross represent to me the blood God shed,the tears I shed for what he took on at the cross for me. A lowly sinner.The curly 'plant' pattern with in the 'web'-I weave in my days-is how I grow through my prayer life and relationship with God. Oh and the little swirls on the hands: I pray or talk to God a LOT through my swirly crazy day.Right now I am not sure how to finish off the hands. I will wait to see what is revealed.

Day 13: Artful Lent Prompt. 
Daniel 6:10. Luke 22:39. John 18:2.

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Read more about creating Twisted Line, Zentangle,Tangle doodles go to my post here.

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Zentangle(R) challenge Artoo

3.5 x 3.5 Artoo by Susan Walker all rights reserved 2011

Weekly challenge #9 from 'I'm the Diva' is Artoo named after the challengers son. Inspired by a recent stay in the hospital. Seems fit that I did my Zentangle(R) here at the  hospital with my son. And probably the last created here as we are going home from TCI tomorrow.
i can see this with a touch of blue color. i hope to add that at home. Like a litte forget me knot blue. Again I think fitting about our children.

Passing time tangle doodling in ink and color

Heart Tangle doodle in Color by Susan Walker

all rights reserved

One of the things i have been doing to pass  the time here at the hopital with my son Zach is tangle doodling.  I enjoyed creating my Curly Chicken  for Illustration Friday the other week that I though I would try another bird.

With many beautiful tangle doodles and Zentangles(R) out there with color addition I tryed my hand at that too. Though I was happy with the ink work , adding prisma colored pencils I was affraid i would 'mess it up" with my color choices. I don't think it is to bad. I am not use to commiting to color like that. something I will push myself to do again.Just one of those comfort zones.
again this is taken at the hhopital on the windosill. Paper is white....

you may also like this:http://www.etsy.com/listing/67498586/tangled-heart
and this:http://www.etsy.com/listing/67438067/heart-in-a-tangle

Hearts for inking.falling in love with tangle dooddling

used with permision by artist Susan Walker

all rights reserved 2011 copyright

 3.5 x 3.5

used with permision by artist Susan Walker

all rights reserved 2011 copyright

5x5 

I have been working on Valentines day for the kids. I decided to try some hearts in the pattern art I have been doing lately. Again using my Pitt Artist penns and Pigma micron pens.

I  am ususally not a heart person but I really enjoyed these. I find the entire process of placing just the right pattern for an area challenging and fun. I 'm thinking there will be more hearts to follow.



IF- Illustration Friday: Chicken

Curly the chicken

artwork used with permition by Susan Walker

all rights reserved 2011

I haven't done an Illustration Friday challenge in forever. I think I have only done a few at most. I checked in as my ambtions are high each new year with 'resolutions'. I have been enjoying this tangle doodle/pattern art drawing and applied this pen and ink to the challenge. my daughter named him Curly.
also can apply to EDM challenge #186-something you have always wanted. Yep- chickens. Small mint colored ones and there relation that is light purple...

Stary Eyed Suprise in a Zentangle(R)

used with permision by artist Susan Walker

all rights reserved 2011 copyright

This is my Stary Eyed Suprise for the 4th weekley challenge at the Im the Diva. The week went faster than I could keep up with and only finished up Saturday night. I used my Pitt Artist Penn XF and Pigma .03 micron pen with a 'smushed up' tip that I love.

If you look close you will find the 'surprise'.

A few sketchbook pages in pen and ink

A few sketches I made while traveling or waiting somewhere.

This is Zachary's Monkey he took with us to the hospital.

This is the  marina at Putt-n-Bat OH as we waited for the ferry to go back to the mainland.

Eyes Wide Shut in ink

For weekly challenge 3,Eyes wide Shut

Eyes Wide Shut by Susan Walker

all rights Reserved copyright 2011

Simple And double pencil Zentangle for Weekly Challenge

SIMPLICITY Zentangle for weekly challenge # 1

by Susan Walker all rights reserved cpyright 2010

When I was thinking about simplicity I found it quite a challenge in keeping the pattern/s from taking over. so I wnt with one tread in each section though it looks like one thread. Leaving white pace as well to try and achieve a look of simplicity. I will have to try this one again. I really liked  how I had to think and slow down.

two-pencil-string  design for Weekly Challenge 2

by Susan Walker all rights reserved copyright 2010

Go to 'I am he Diva' for details on the weekly Zentangle challenge.

Ink Zentangle

Zentangle in ink by Susan Walker

copyright 2010 all rights reserved

I have recently discovered "Zentangles". Well, actually the term. I think many artist have done them in some form or another but now have a trademark name. "Inchies"come to mind as well. What has attracted me to the idea is the Zen like mind set you get into while working. Right now at this point in my like with my son facing two brain surgeries an the pain I still feel in the loss of my mum, I find focusing hard to do. My mind wonders from this to that and I am forgetting where I was and what I am to be doing. Drawing for me use to be a pleasure but I had been struggling with form and ideas. Zentangles have been quite therapeutic.

A Zentangle is to be 3.5 x 3.5 but this too is not written in stone. I use an Pitt Artist pen by Fabre Castel XF and F. I am using a smooth 140# paper I cut down to my desired size.


From the Zentagle website:
Abstract
You always succeed when you do a Zentangle because you always create a pattern. A Zentangle has no up or down and is not a picture of something, so you have no worries about whether you can draw a hand, or a duck. You always succeed in creating a Zentangle.


Meditational Art form
Zentangle’s non-verbal language of patterns and proportions can open doors to insights which seemed locked before. Creating Zentangles opens those doors, not because they were locked, but because those doors swing on non-verbal hinges. When you create a Zentangle you can enter a meditative state in which intuitive insights flow freely. Get inspirations, ideas and answers unhindered by expectations or worries.

Give it a try and hope you enjoy them too!