Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Diva Challenge #295, Made by Joey #142 and Travelling Tangles

Reticula and Fragments pt.2

This week's Diva Challenge is to continue on with more Reticula and Fragments, a technique introduced in The Zentangle Primer v.1. It seemed to be a challenging challenge for many last week. There are so many possibilities with it once you start wrapping your brain and pen around it, it can become a little addicting (well, for me it was). I just had an R & F Aha! moment when I saw Annette Plaga-Lodde's blog, CreA(R)Tive, this morning. She perfectly illustrates fragments.
I don't have the book and as things stand, I doubt I'll be seeing one in the foreseeable future, so I'm not referencing the letter/number system the book uses to identify each grid and fragment. In last week's post I noted how I'm sort of sleuthing my way through this concept (which I love by the way) sketching the varieties of grids (reticula) and fills (fragments) that I've seen in others posts, not only from last weeks submissions but also from the Facebook group Reticula and Fragments.
I'm glad we were given the opportunity to explore this more. I chose a grid I saw somewhere that reminded me of a lattice. I framed it first with a fragment of Pokeleaf. The challenge was to use a fragment that was asymmetrical so that when rotated or mirrored it was different.


My beginning

I cannot draw a straight line to save my life. My first diagonal lattice was all wonky. I'm using a tile colored with art tissue. I'm not sure where the fragment came from. I started off in my sketch  book, copying things I saw on the internet and then noodled around with some ideas:

research and development


Finish my Tile Series: ZigZag string and Pipez

This happens to me from time to time: I look at a challenge and I'm sort of "meh..." Nothing clicks, nothing inspires. One minute I'm thinking I'll take a pass for the week and then the next minute I'm down with it. The pattern Pipez was new-to-me. it has a Steampunk vibe and though I liked the pattern I don't have a lot of Steampunk in my arsenal, then the zig-zag string seemed like an odd juxtaposition. I did, however, have one tissue colored ATC where the colors seemed to follow a left to right swipe. I penciled in the string and the vertical lines of Pipez and did not stop until this was done.
I had a lot of fun with this! I had no idea where it was going. I chose not to worry about if a pattern "went with" another pattern, and inadvertently found odd juxtapositions quite freeing.

I have accumulated quite a backlog of Travelling Tangles in the last two weeks. The next group swap is going to be assigned tomorrow, so a new wave will be coming in shortly. It's supposed to rain this weekend so I'm giving myself up to Travelling Tangles and Christmas gift art. Fingers crossed for a productive weekend;-)


This is my finish to the third of three tiles sent to me by the lovely Jem Miller (aka Ragged Ray) 
in West Sussex, UK.

This is Jem's gorgeous start. 

I love how the colors so seamlessly transition from red to green. In fabric parlance we call this technique "Ombre". I saved this one for last because I truly was afraid I'd mess it up. Jem's line work is so clean. It was such a graphic beginning and my hand is much sketchier. The first two of Jem's pieces can be seen here. Margaret Bremner had recently posted pics of several bookmarks she'd made out of older pieces of art and there was one that had a beautiful Umble. I tried to copy that. I tried, but my line work will never be that clean...Anyhoo, with a little inspiration from Margaret and Maria (I used a few MT inspired columns on the white bits) I managed to finish Jem's lovely start without too much anguish;-)

This is my finish to a lovely start by Linda Kinsella in Ontario, Canada


Linda's starter tile

This was for the Breast Cancer Awareness Pink theme swap. There were so many possibilities here. I had a lot of fun with this.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Your thoughtful and generous comments delight and inspire me!



17 comments:

  1. So much to say in response to this post!

    Firstly I've been thinking a lot about what you said here and there about my tangling style. And I think the amazing thing is I really admire and aspire to your style, because to me it looks more properly artistic - mine always looks a bit like writing rather than drawing (hence 'graphic' I guess!). But the magic is when they come together - the best of both worlds. I knew when you first admired my colour blending that I'd send you one. And you did wonders with it!

    Secondly your Diva tile is amazing - particularly that Pokeleaf border - it's a tangle I struggle with but your way is divine. And your wonky grid is better - it emphasises that this is a hand drawn piece. I'm short on time this week but having seen this I might have to do another reticula/fragment tile!

    Thanks as always for endless inspiration.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Jem. I guess it's a good thing that we're never satisfied with our own art;-) I aspire to the control I admire so much in the graphic style of both yours and Margaret's work. You are absolutely right about the magic of the collaboration. Our finished pieces bring me so much joy.

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  2. As always, I'm fascinated by your artwork Michele! Fabulous! Love all the Colour! Love your Diva tile with the fat poke leaf!

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    1. Thanks Deanne! Fat Pokeleaf was the great take-away from this challenge;-)

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  3. Me too .... I love that Pokeleaf. All the work you show us is beautiful!!!

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  4. I admire your creativity and skill with colours and tangles. Visiting your page each week is such a delight. This week is no exception.

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  5. All tiles are gorgeous. I can't say which is my Favorit. I love the colours and I'm fascinated by your artwork too.

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  6. So wonderful tiles, I love them :-)

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  7. All your tiles are beautiful. For your first tile i like your colors and the choice of your reticula: Very interesting !

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  8. I would never be able to finish someone else's tile for fear of "ruining" it. Your addition flows so beautifully with the beginning tangle though. You, and others that do this, have my admiration. The grid and fragments turned out well, and I love the tile with the Steampunk!

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    1. Thank you Jean! These Travelling Tangles always draw me out of my comfort zone and there have been moments where I've felt like I've made a colossal blunder but usually it's nothing a little highlight and shading doesn't fix;-)

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  9. First: I love your wonky lines! Much beauty hidden in them! Then: It is easy to find a lot of inspiration here among your tiles! Thank´s!

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  10. As always you show us so beautiful pieces, dear Michele! You have just a wonderful and unique style and your feel of colours is fabulous!
    I´m happy that I could help you with R&F in my blogpost. I think a simple sketch shows more than lots of words!

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  11. Nice work on the DC tile. Like the Poke Root frame.

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  12. I so love your tiles and the colours you use, make them exceptional.

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  13. The Pokeleaf is so round and shiny! I love it. this is my second attempt at leaving a comment. I don't know if they disappear to be moderated or if I messed up so I am trying again.....

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  14. That Diva tile is perfect, with its combination of the lattice and the beautifully rounded Pokeleaf. And, as always, your colors and choice of tangles are outstanding.

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