Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Happy New Year!...and it begins with Diva Challenge #249


Diva Challenge #249
Duotangle: Auraknot & Diva Dance

Happy New Year tangle friends! I'm really looking forward into getting back into my challenge routine after a hectic holiday month. I did this duo-tangle this morning over coffee and the Cooking Channel on a rainy day-off.
I'm also working on a swap which will include these ATC's:
I'm making 9 ATC's for this swap and tried a new approach. I started with a  9 x12 water colored page and did all of the line work in the large format using a couple of different sized jar lids:
Then I cut it down to 10 ATC's:
I've been participating in these swaps now since the Summer and this is the first time I've tried this approach after seeing it done by others so beautifully. It makes the composition of each ATC so much more interesting and it's exciting because you have no idea how each one is going to look. I'm detailing after cutting.
Backing up a bit to the "Gift of Zentangle"...here's a 5x7 piece I made for my niece and her husband for Christmas. I was inspired by Antonine's gorgeous ZIA and her lovely pattern "Oybay". Thanks for the inspiration Antonine...they were delighted with it!

Speaking of the "Gift of Zentangle", my last post announced the 5 randomly chosen recipients of my 5 ATC's. I need snail mail addresses from 3 of you. Check out the post for my email address.

As ever, thanks so much for visiting my blog. Your thoughtful and generous comments always make my day!




19 comments:

  1. I love the blue ATCs the most.
    Your ATCs always have this particular colour palette that's very recognisable as yours. ^-^ Happy new year to you, too!

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! I have only two Inktense pencils~blue and brown. They find their way into everything;-)

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  2. Now I love your Diva Auraknot! Continuing To the centre ties the two tangles together perfectly.
    As for your beautiful ATC tiles..absolutely gorgeous.
    Axxx

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  3. Now I love your Diva Auraknot! Continuing To the centre ties the two tangles together perfectly.
    As for your beautiful ATC tiles..absolutely gorgeous.
    Axxx

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  4. You have created amazing depth with the colour on the Diva Challenge tile, I love it. In fact, I like your use of colour in all of these; it is subtle and gentle and really enhances the patterns. Very nice work. Did you see on FB that I got your December swap tile? I'm fascinated to know how you did it. I'm guessing it is a white tile patterned in black with a large area of black ink patterned in white? Either way, it's great, thank you.

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  5. I really love your Diva Challenge piece. I like the color and I like how you made the corners peek out of the frame. I have a friend that is a wine lover. She would just be so happy to have a gift like you made for herself. Maybe one day LOL!

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  6. Happy New Year, Michele! Your duotangle is so pretty. Made me smile with those beautiful trademark colors! And you've inspired me with your gorgeous ATC experiment.

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  7. Happy New Year, dear Michele!
    You DIVA tile is excellent, I love how the DIVA Dance is woven into Auraknot.
    The other tiles are great, as well! Especially the colours are stunning.

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  8. Wonderful work! Especially I like your Auraknot-Diva Dance tile with the touch of blue!
    I wish you a happy and creative new Year!

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  9. Michele, I discovered your blog a few months ago and have been eagerly following your ATC artwork. I love the depth and intricacy of your designs. I just completed my first watercolour zentangle and was surprised that I wore down the nib of my Sakura pigma pen on a 5x7 drawing. What kind of permanent ink pens and watercolour paper do you use? Thank you for sharing your art! :))

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    1. Thanks Deanne! I mostly use Rapidograph refillable technical pens. It's an old set of 7 pens I've had since art school...20+ years ago. I resurrected them about a year ago and only now just had to send the two finest tips to be replaced. I use very inexpensive watercolor paper from Aaron Brothers. It's Strathmore, I think, the "Practice" series;-)

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  10. Michelle, your Stones and Ceremony ATC arrived today. Thank you so much, it has been much admired by everyone. How did you draw such small stones and still achieve that shading, marvellous! It has come to a good home:-)

    All your work here on your blog is wonderful too, such beautiful colours. Your Diva Dance fits into your Auraknot showing both tangles off to great advantage. Such inspiration.

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    1. So glad it made it's way to you! Thanks for posting;-)

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  11. Beautiful challenge piece! Your Atc's are stunning and what a lovely gift for your niece and hubby. Have a fabulous new year!

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  12. Oh, Michele, your color wash backgrounds are unbelievably beautiful! The blue on the "Lauraknot" is so lovely. Using jar lids (which I always keep) for drawing the string on your larger work is inspired, and cutting it up into ATCs is such a great idea! Maybe one day I'll get the gumption to commit to a swap. I'll watch for one YOU are in! I'm so honored that you used my wine idea for your own exceptionally beautiful piece. I can't believe (yes, I can - that's something I would do...) you lost the first one and had to re-do it. I know your niece will treasure that gift! I hope the person that found the other one has the good sense to know what they have! It is always such a pleasure and inspiration to visit your blog!

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  13. There is so much going on here in one post, I might have to revisit for inspiration! These are all VERY lovely pieces...great eye candy! Thank you so much for sharing :)

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  14. Wonderful work with lovely colors and style!

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  15. The challenge piece is great; I love the colors. I also love the ATC's, great idea to work like this.

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