Diva Challenge #360 and the Duo-Challenge

Diva Challenge #360

Duo-Tangle: Shattuck & Tripoli

"All of your Art is practice for more Art"-The Diva

I'm really enjoying the DIY art journal for these challenges lately. I started out thinking of the watercolor background as a stand of trees, then I saw feathers. Feathers and trees. Why not?
Tripoli is one of those patterns that took me  the longest time to wrap my pen around  so I was quite pleased with myself at being able to corral it into that oval whereas in the past I'd always been so intent on getting the triangles consistent that it went off the rails and frustrated me. Now I know better;-)

This quote came back to me while I was working on the shading. I was remembering what Laura said while she was finishing up her YouTube video of last weeks finger string challenge about having an art practice. Wise words;-)

The start

The Diva's quote could not have been more relevant as I struggled worked my way through the duo-challenge.

Duo Challenge

Joey #212 & IAST #238

Duo Challenge

I got stuck

Joey starts this one off with "Relly Telly One" Front and Center. Adele's curvy/loopy string brings "Tupuk", "Flec" and "Fassett" into the mix and flowed quite nicely from the point of  RellyTellyOne which I'd drawn on Monday. I ended up partially using the loops in Adele's string to inspire the curved and wavy lines I eventually built Tupuk on.
It started off so well because all of the patterns were either ones I've enjoyed before or in the case of Tupuk, a new-to-me pattern that not only fit into my wheelhouse, but it's creator Ria Matheussen is one of my ZenPals (as is Jem Miller, the creator of "Flec").
Then I got stuck. It happens all the time with these and I've learned to take a break or two. This one vexed me more than usual, but as soon as I recalled The Diva's wise words I reminded myself that these Duo-Challenges are meant to be exercises in balance and contrast. It's busy and a bit cluttered  but that's ok.
I procrastinated a bit over at the Zentangle Mosaic app and saw one of Maria's tiles where she "Orbed and Aura'd" Crescent Moon. More wise words "When in doubt...Aura! " So there ya go;-)

Other artsy stuff:

Abstract botanicals

DIY art journal
brush pen

Blue Botanicals

DIY art journal

Platinum Preppy fountain pen

Iroshizuko Kon-peki blue ink

Multi media art journal

She cracks me up when she does this

in the midst of grooming she'll suddenly freeze
and stare into space 

Thanks so much for stopping by. Your thoughtful and generous comments delight and inspire me;-)

Some Daily Drawing Practice

Texture

4" x 6"

dip pen and various inks

So began my first week of daily drawing after last weeks post, not in any particular order, inspired by this video  and this video by Alphonso Dunn. Not everything is "finished" and some are just exercises. Here's a link to his series of Basics and Fundamentals if you're interested in exploring pen and ink drawing.

This first one started out as an exercise. I was practicing a wet on wet technique I came across on another one of my favorite YouTube channels, Studio Jess. She calls it Cosmic Moons, 

before pen and ink

"Toodles"

Perhaps a Throwback travels series?

Continuous line drawing...sort of

A page from my Trainwreck Journal

Frost Flower, Printemps and Rumpus

Shading and Hatching practice

Just noodling around

I usually have something like this going on all the time, for when I feel like drawing but don't have the bandwidth to start something.

"Why, oh why you draw so much and ignore me???"

Thanks so much for stopping by! Let me know if you have any questions about what I shared today. I tried to keep the chatter to a minimum;-)
As ever, your thoughtful and generous comments delight and inspire me.

🎄❄HAPPY HOLIDAYS⛄🎁