Wednesday 10 October 2018

the wonder of wending

Recently I've read a few really thoughtful posts that encourage us to look at how we create as well as what we create.  Most agree with or develop things I've touched on in previous posts on this blog.  I'm a philosopher at heart - I like to think about what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, how I'm doing it, as well as actually doing it.  It adds another layer of meaning and depth.  It adds to the mindfulness.  Of course much of my thinking doesn't actually occur while I'm in the zone actually moving the pen across the paper.

I'm going to share some art with you today, and I'm very excited about that - but I also want to touch on a bit of the thinking that occurred around its creation.

A while ago I wrote about the dilemma of having more than enough art supplies.  I'm not reckless in my purchases.  I love to read lots of reviews and make balanced decisions before accumulating more stuff.  I'm pleasantly confined by a lack of storage space which means my materials have to earn their right to be there!  I usually know how I might use something long before I buy it.  But occasionally I spot something that has potential, without clearly knowing what I might use it for.  And that was the case with this pack of cotton rag paper zigzags that I bought at the start of 2016.  I've worked on this type of paper before - it's challenging and rough but worth the effort. (Click to see slightly larger pieces on this paper.)

Two other significant strands of my creative practice wove into what happened with these little zigzags.  Firstly was the ability, which I'm very slowly developing, of not joining in with everything.  There's so much on offer, so many challenges, techniques, tangles - it's wonderful and overwhelming.  I want to dive in, but I don't want to drown.  I want to graze along the buffet table, sampling the delights rather than gorging myself.

Way back in early summer I spotted a few people on Facebook doing something wonderful where they tangled in a concertina book and their tangling travelled over each fold and onto the next.   They called it the Infinite or Endless Zentangle Project.  And a bit of questioning led me to discover that it was the brainchild of Natalie Plechkova.  She blogs about it here on her website - it's written entirely in Russian, but you can translate it via Google and get a fair approximation of her meaning.  And of course the images are a true delight in any language.  For a more instant visual hit take a peek at her Instagram feed.

I was charmed and hungry but knew that the true beauty of this thing was being able to stick with it over the long distance and I doubted my own stamina.  A few weeks later I had an idea - perhaps I could do something similar but over a shorter distance?  A finite Zentangle project?  And suddenly those zigzags heard their true calling. 

On the 14th June I tangled the first panel on my first zigzag.  I noted on the back that it was a rainy, chilly Thursday.  I completed another panel every week for the next 15 weeks.  I stopped myself from doing more than one panel a week.  This was a case of pace not race!


Here it is.  Filled with more tangles than I care to list.  All packed more tightly together than I would usually do.  Each panel measures about 7cm x 8cm.  Here is is laid flat to allow for a better look.


One week after finishing the first I started another.  The 20th July, when I noted that it was cloudy but we'd still had no rain.


For this one I used Margaret Bremner's rope string idea - but needed to create breaks between panels for the rope to look right.


Somewhere along the way I decided I needed a name for these things - naming has power, it makes us feel connected to things.  I like playing with words, breaking them and putting them back together again.  I stirred a few things on my tongue but came to like the word Zigzangle!  So that's what I am calling these.  For you they might answer happily to another name!

On this one I let grid tangles take centre stage.  Jumping back and forth adding extra little details in to tie the panels together.  But still only working on one panel a week.  I began this third Zigzangle on 31st August where I observed the first intimations of autumn.




Although I've been working on these little strips of paper and ink for a few months I'm only sharing them with you now.  And that's due to the second creative movitation, and one that I talked about a while ago when I mentioned the benefit of sometimes working for yourself alone.  I wanted one-to-one time with my Zigzangle.  I wanted to get to know them, and know them well, before I told you what they were and showed you what they looked like.  But now I have, I'm glad I have.  And I hope for you it was worth the wait.

27 comments:

  1. I can read so much wisdom into what you are saying. I love your Zigzangles. They make the patterns work in a different way and they are beautiful I might have to get some of my stonehenge out of storage and make a couple of these. If I read the cm right, these are about 2 1/2 x 10" in total size. I did participate in the Endless Zentangle and it was a wonderful process. I do participate in quite a few challenges, but they are what keep my grounded in Zentangle. That way my other art does get inspiration but stays in the background and is usually for my eyes only.

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    1. Thank you Pat. Glad you're inspired to try a Zigzangle. I'm think of cutting some of my own although getting neat folds might be a challenge!

      Sorry - I should have thought about conversion of measurements. It's about 3 1/4 high and 15 3/4 inches long! But any variations would still look great!

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  2. Very cool! This is a phenomenal idea, and lovely execution of the entire thing. I really like how you chose to cherish your project then share. That’s so very nice.

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    1. Hello FMNT aka new blogger! So pleased to hear you like my idea and the mists of secrecy surrounding it! I'm excited to see where it takes me!

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  3. These look stunning! And thank you for sharing the careful and thoughtful journey to this post.

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    1. Thank you for visiting Jennifer, I'm glad you liked my post.

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  4. Jem! What a wonderful blogpost! I am at that stage you mention, where I'm starting to learn you can't join everything LOL because girl, I joined EVERYTHING this past summer and I'm still trying to catch up. But I clicked in for the picture of the zigzag paper. LOL took me back to my...erm...stoner I mean college days.
    But I love what you've done with this! I had no idea zigzag made paper other than for rolling...erm...cigarettes. And now to find out that it's zigging and zagging and THAT'S why it's called zig zag paper! LOL but I love what you've done with it, and I appreciate the minimalist approach you describe. You wanted to do something a little bit more, without going on forever, and you HAVE and all of them are just stunning. Of course! Zigzangles...and I am currently shopping...I'll try to remember your wise words about have "a little" of what I fancy. Good words, and very good art!

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    1. Thank you for your comment Heidi. Moderation my dear, in everything - it's the answer we're all searching for ;) Happy shopping - I hope you find a little something to inspire you!

      Your comments about rolling papers made me laugh out loud. With a certain familiarity I must say! But also because when I was very,very young my parents both still smoked and rolled their own - purely tobacco only. And I remember sometimes being bored and them letting me draw tiny pictures with a pencil on one of the papers. Perhaps the code was written long ago for me to eventually find my way here! Thanks for helping me to remember that too!

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  5. I enjoyed reading this post very much, Jem. My favorite is the first one but all three are wonderful.

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    1. Thank you Linda. There's plenty of different tangles in that first one - including Locar which you featured on your blog the other day!

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  6. What utterly tangle-tastic things you have made here! I love your considered approach and your resulting Zigzangles are so beautiful. REALLY GREAT WORK.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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    1. Thank you Sarn. Always so appreciative and enthusiastic. I'm quite overwhelmed at what a wonderful response this post is getting.

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  7. I love these Zenzangles!!! Definitely going to start one!! And in joining with you on being careful of what supplies I buy or already have, I know I have some Fabriano Tiepolo sheets that I can cut down!

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    1. Thank you for visiting Lynn. I'm so pleased you're inspired to make your own Zigzangle. And on the Tiepolo paper it will feel wonderful to work on. I'd love to see the result when you finish!

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  8. Jem, this is such a heartfelt project and blog which you know I totally agree with.
    Keeping these just for yourself, no pressure but an aim of completion and a joy to continue creating.
    I love Zigzangle.❤

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    1. The way you engage with your practice has really prompted me to dig deeper into my own process. I love the way we feed and water each other.

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  9. Hi Jem my lovely! I loved Khadi paper so much I hand-made a huge (12x18 in) book for mixed media work. I pen and watercoloured a concertina of my studio too and loved the continuity it allows. These are FABULOUS..and, knowing the Khadi paper as well as I now do, you deserve an achievment medal for tangling it! <3 <3 xx

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    1. Dearest Hilary! Thank you for your lovely comment. Yes, the Khadi paper has a certain unique character. It's taken me a long time to work out what kind of a touch she needs! ;) And there were a few curses in the early days! And just went you think you've got the hang of line work you try to shade... But it's charming to work on too!

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  10. Your concertinas are absolutely stunning! I had to laugh when I read Heidi's comment about that ZigZags because I thought the exact same thing 😉

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    1. Thank you Michele! If only you, me and Heidi knew about Zentangle back in the day - we could have had double the fun with those papers!

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  11. Jem, what a gem your tile accordions are. Everything just flows into each other and the overall images are simply AMAZING! I would never ever dare to even think (!) of starting something like these. You are one talented little lady!

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    1. Thank you Susie. You would totally rock a Zigzangle if you tried one! The way I approached it - one panel at a time, and very slowly - meant it was never overwhelming.

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    2. I already placed my order for when (not IF) I am reborn, I will be an avid accordion tangler. You wait and see!

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  12. wow, fantastic, fabulously tangled with graphite. I loved what you have Brought out of you, slowly and steadily. you have really made deep connections and friendship with your supplies and skills. I loved it so much and now I am inspired to go along at your pace. ��❤️

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    1. Thank you Aish. The pleasure for me with these pieces was all about working slowly, adding a little bit each time. And appreciating the supplies as you say. I know you will enjoy working with ink and graphite on your Khadi paper! And I'm glad we've connected over this wonderful paper!

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