Tuesday, October 20, 2015

"You can't wait for inspiration, you must chase after it with a stick "


I don't know where I heard or read that quote but I've been carrying it around with me for years.
Sunday, I spent a lovely day at the California Academy of Sciences looking at all sorts of natural beauty, inspired by the vivid colors I saw everywhere.


I'd also brought along a little sack of works-in-progress should the muse arise. It did whilst sipping a glass of wine and pondering the vivid blue table top.

I'm creating several ATC's for this month's Zentangle Artists Trading Card Swap. The theme is Everything Autumn. I've been waiting for a reason to use leaves. I started this about a week ago, collecting, pressing, tracing and stenciling.


I made my watercolor wash backgrounds,  laid down leaves and hand cut stencils from those leaves and did a final spray of color. I cut the ATC's and started tracing leaves and drawing the string of veins. 
It was at this point I saw This post on The Diva's Weekly Challenge Facebook page and it all came together. I loved the technique she used to tangle within the leaves and incorporated it into my framework.
This morning, The Diva's Weekly Challenge #240 was posted and I was delighted to see those leaves appear as this week's challenge because I was already there.
Scanning my artwork has proven to be an exercise in patience.
Diva Challenge #240
Autumn Leaves
ATC

Here's another one:

More challenges:

New "P" tangle: Neil Burley's "Pearl Drops"
Artist focus: Sayantika Ray's "Woodlock"

"Ta-Da"

Another white on black for me. I love this pattern and diggin' the dark side. I love the technique Laura linked to in last weeks challenge where you go back over the white with black. I'm also exploring the black gesso technique for the next Zentangle Artist's Trading Card Swap.


As ever, many thanks and much gratitude for visiting my blog and leaving such inspiring comments.


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24 comments:

  1. jeanchaneyazOctober 20, 2015 at 12:01 PM

    Jack London should be the one to get credit for that great quote. Your fall pieces are very pretty and I like your black tile too.

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  2. Joanne FahertyOctober 20, 2015 at 12:19 PM

    Michele I love your backgrounds that you've been tangling on the last few months.how do you do them? Beautiful work as always 😊

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    Replies
    1. Michele WynneOctober 20, 2015 at 4:52 PM

      I created a link to another post where I did some process pics a while back. Hope that helps.

      Delete
  3. The Yorkshire TortoiseOctober 20, 2015 at 12:26 PM

    What a wonderful autumnal festival you have here. beautiful

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  4. IlseOctober 20, 2015 at 12:35 PM

    Beautiful autumn work! I really love your first Diva tile, these black pearls are so gorgeous.
    You gave a very nice interpretation of Ta-da as well. They look like fireworks, I like :-))

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  5. AstridOctober 20, 2015 at 2:41 PM

    ...good idea!

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  6. IndiraOctober 20, 2015 at 5:23 PM

    The collection of leaf ATCs are colorful and eye-catching.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and for the lovely comment.

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  7. UnknownOctober 20, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    Oh my gosh these are all scrumptious!

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  8. Stephanie JenniferOctober 20, 2015 at 8:56 PM

    They're so *so* beautiful. I would love to do an ATC exchange with you.
    Would you entertain the idea of sending them via snail mail? Although, I live in Singapore. Let me know if you'd like the idea. (stephanie@everythingis-art.com)

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    Replies
    1. Michele WynneOctober 21, 2015 at 9:34 AM

      Of course! That would be fun. I'll email you shortly;-)

      Delete
  9. Anne's tangle blogOctober 21, 2015 at 1:36 AM

    I do like your autumn leaves (a lot).

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  10. SuzyMoshOctober 21, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    This is all great work! Thanks for being part of the TNTM challenge this week!

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  11. SusanOctober 21, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    Wonderful soft fall colors on your leaves. Gorgeous!

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  12. MaggibeeOctober 21, 2015 at 1:30 PM

    Your work is magical.

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  13. DEMenOctober 21, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    OK. You're making me think I should take back my, "We don't get much Fall color here in Northern California." Lovely tiles. Love the picture from the aquarium too!

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  14. HeidiSueOctober 23, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    These colored backgrounds are just amazing. Then, with the paper having color, you use the white highlighting to such beautiful effect. Luscious pieces, all!

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  15. AnonymousOctober 23, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    What a beautiful collection of fall leaves!

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  16. Suzanne Fluhr October 23, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Beautiful leaf tiles. I admit that sometimes we do have to "run after inspiration with a stick", but I love it when I stumble upon inspiration which often happens during our travels and when out in nature. I'm planning to treat the dog to a long walk this afternoon---hoping to stumble on inspiration.

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  17. JoeyOctober 24, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    These tiles are so beautiful! I love the richness of the leaf ATC's and your version of Ta Da reminds me of firecrackers! When I was a kid firecrackers were set off on Halloween night but now they are banned. :o(
    ~ joey ~

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  18. Annette P.-L. October 25, 2015 at 3:18 AM

    Again so wonderful work! Especially I like your leaf ATC´s! You have a fabulous way of colouring!

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  19. Jennifer SparrowOctober 26, 2015 at 6:41 AM

    I stopped by earlier this week, caught a glimpse of your new post and left, since I knew I would be spending a while here reading, learning, admiring, and even, yes, drooling. Today I'm back. I'll be here for a while, as expected. Thanks for such a lovely blog, such beautiful and inspiring work!

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  20. Jennifer SparrowOctober 26, 2015 at 6:47 AM

    Still here! Thanks so much for the tutorial on your watercolor wash technique. You had kindly explained it to me before, but the pictures made it easier to understand. I'm off for another go at it! (But I'll be back!)

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    Replies
    1. Michele WynneOctober 26, 2015 at 7:41 AM

      Thank you Jennifer! Please let me know if the watercolor tutorial is helpful or if you need clarification on anything. I'd love to hear (or see) how it come out;-) Thanks for taking an interest in my work. It really means a lot to me.

      Delete

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