Jane Monk Studio - Teaching the Art of Zentangle®

A little something for my Husband

2012-02-01T11:45:00.000+11:00

This is A3 size (19x11inches) ... I did this over the holidays for my husband ... well it is in my journal for our family to look at.

There are five little trout drawings in this picture ... can you find them? (hint ... the are in the bottom half of the drawing).

Happy tangling for now ... Jane x

January 2012 - a busy holiday time

2012-01-31T07:17:00.001+11:00

In December I signed up for an International Postcard Swap. Of course I decided to combine fabric and drawing ... here are a few I have made a start on. I have tea dyed some cotton fabric, then I ironed it onto freezer paper which stabilises the fabric enough to draw on with a Pigma pen. Next I will do all the quilting stitches on the fabric and batting layer (remember to remove the freezer paper before putting the batting onto the back of the fabric).

Over the holidays I did a bit of spinning ... here I am spinning a laceweight - fibre is Bond (sheep) which I purchased from The Thylacine here in Tasmania - she does some beautiful dying.

This same fibre is now becoming a very long scarf/wrap ... still not sure how much longer I want it to be, currently about 2metres. I just love how soft this is and how the colours blended in, all soft and greeny/greys.

This is some of the fibre I have spun during January.
Top Left - from Fibrefanatic Designs yellow/chartreause Merino
Top Right - from Ewe Give Me The Knits this is Mandie's Licorice Allsorts fibre which I have plied with a black Merino to give it this more licorice look.
Middle Right is the Blackwood (Green) Bond from The Thylacine,
Very Bottom is my very own Merino/Silk/Cat Fur blend - some spun and some still in the Batt stage that I have carded together. It is very nice too!

That big lot of lemony/chartreause has become this gorgeous shawl, a nice weight for winter, and it is big so comes down past my elbows when I wear it.

A close up.

I made another little neck warmer scarf. The first one I made of these went to one of my sisters ... I decided I still wanted one, so made another - it crochets up really fast - less than five hours I think.This one still needs to be blocked as the edges are curling up.

Currently on the wheel, this beautiful blue Falkland fibre ... I have spun this very fine - probably the finest I have spun a whole lot of top. I get about 40 - 50 wraps per inch. Can't you just see this in a very fine lacy wrap - the colour is beautiful. This is also from The Thyalcine.

On my spinning wheel at the moment - the last 100g of this lovely fibre.

So you can see that I have been doing quite a bit of spinning and crocheting this month. I am also trying to teach myself how to knit (continental style) - but am giving myself the whole year to do that because I want to knit socks - woolen socks are the best!

I have also been drawing more in my big Journal for 2012 and will post some of that next week perhaps.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Zentangle Inspired Quilting ... on DVD

2012-01-10T18:57:00.002+11:00

It is here .... I was very excited to receive this in the mail ... my DVD from Quilters Companion. The magazine/DVD will be out this month.

I have a limited number of DVD's for sale - so let me know if you want one. I will be able to post out at the end of January if you want one sent to you.

The DVD goes for almost an hour and a half !
EDIT: DVD's are now listed on my web site Jane Monk Studio.

I have also been back at the drawing board. This time I have started a new "Journal" for 2012 and decided to go with the big A3 size Moleskein book with the beautiful Watercolour paper.
(297 x 420cm in metric or 11.69 x 16.54 inches for you Imperial users)

This one uses my surname as the stringline - you can see it has gotten a bit lost in the tangling ... but a very cool way to draw a string line if you are lost for ideas!

Iam incredibly happy with this effort. I still have to add shading ... so far this one has taken 22 hours

And I had to start another one last night - 3.5 hours of work to get to this stage. This is my own modification to a number of fonts ... I really just go with the flow of how the letters feel. They are all hand drawn, so are not going to be perfectly even - but I like it like that.

I will post this one in a few weeks time.

Happy New Year everyone ... Jane x

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T05:54:00.000+11:00

Hi there everyone ... I would like to wish you all a Safe and Happy Merry Christmas and New Year.

It has been an interesting year to say the least.   I will be taking the rest of December, and all of January 2012, off from my quilting business (Purrfectly Quilted).    Shop orders made through Jane Monk Studio from today until the 30 January will be processed fortnightly during January.

I hope next year will bring some great opportunities for us all to continue our obsession with Zentangle and stretch ourselves to see where we can take it in the context of our art and creativity.    So take care over the holidays, thank you all very much for your support through my blog ... it is nice to know I am not rambling on to myself sometimes.

Happy Tangling into 2012....Jane x

Mixed Media Postcard Swap 2012

2011-12-19T14:09:00.002+11:00

Musings on Realities is having a 2012 Mixed Media Postcard Swap ... you make 10 mixed media postcards to send and you get 10 back.

I am joining in this swap as it will give me something a little different to do over the holidays. I have a couple of folders from when I was swapping ACT's - both fabric and fine art. They are absolutely adorable to sit and browse through every now and again. So Postcards will be added to my little collection.

Go and check out Shannon's blog post about it.

Cheers
Jane

My drawing before Zentangle

2011-12-15T21:43:00.001+11:00

I haven't really been doing much drawing lately, but thought you might like to see some of my ATC's that I was doing before I had heard the concept of Zentangle. Black and White was something that I have always loved to do, and mosaic type of ensembles as well. Interesting I think.

Hope everyone is having a nice time getting ready for the festive celebrations and remembering to take some time out for yourself to be creative.

Happy tangling for now ... Jane x

Purrfectly Quilted ... thought you might like to know

2011-12-07T06:35:00.000+11:00

I posted this over on my other blog Purrfectly Quilted and thought you might like to know also.....

I sometimes do Custom Quilting for customers. These quilts take longer to do than the usual Edge to Edge quilts as the quilting is individual and more often than not, designed by me. Sometimes I can have the quilt machine tied up with a custom quilt for two weeks at a time.

I do not have a computerised quilting machine - I use an APQS Millennium that is hand guided (this means that I move the quilt machine to create the stitches and patterns - it is all in my hands and head). I don't use a lot of rulers or stencils. I call it Freehand Custom Quilting and this allows me to use my artistic and technical ability.

Next year I will only be doing a limited number of custom quilted quilts, and I already have four booked in. So if you have something special you wish to be custom quilted by me, make sure you leave plenty of time and book it in well before you need it completed. This also means that I will have a quicker turn around for Edge to Edge and AllOver quilts ... so call me to arrange an obligation free quote to have your quilt quilted by me here at Purrfectly Quilted. (Contact: 0438 302 515)

Also, I have been working hard to bring you a project that you can make using my Zentangle for Quilters style of freehand quilting on your domestic sewing machine. January 2012 issue of Quilters Companion will feature my project and accompanied by a DVD ... I hope you all enjoy this project and the brief look at Zentangle for Quilters.

I will be teaching at the September 2012 Australian Machine Quilters Festival, held in the city of Adelaide, South Australia - both a domestic machine quilting class and a longarm machine quilting class - This second AMQF Festival is going to be a fantastic event and even Ricky Tims is coming - don't miss it!

I am also very very happy to say that I will also be teaching at the Taupo Sympostium Fabric Art Festival in New Zealand, to be held in 2013...which is really not that far away.

Happy Quilting for now .... Jane

Christmas Fruit Cake Muffin Recipe

2011-11-23T19:19:00.000+11:00

I posted this picture over on my FaceBook page and everyone loved it ... so I thought I would share the recipe with you all here as well.

I hope you enjoy them ... these are just mini bite sized little mouthfuls of Christmas joy.

Fruit Cake Muffins

300g unsalted butter

1200g – a mixture of currants, sultanas raisins, mixed fruit, chopped dates (really whatever you want to add as far as this type of dried berries go)

360g brown sugar

2 cups water

2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoon ground ginger (powdered)

2 teaspoon mixed spice

2 teaspoon bicarb soda

Mix all the above ingredients together in a large pot and bring to the boil, allow to cool.

Once coolish ... add the following and mix really well together:

4 beaten eggs

300g Plain

300g Self Raising flour (Sift the two flours together – although I only used 600g SR Flour as that is what I had)

Mix together all ingredients well.

Add mixture to your muffin pans/cases. Cook at 170degrees Celcius for approximately 25 minutes or until skewer comes out clean.

This mix makes about 40 – 45 normal sized patty cake sized muffins. I like to use the mini ones.

When cakes are cooked and cooled, I like to add white icing and cherries on top.

I use the roll out kind of white icing (Orchid White Icing) available at Woolworths.

I also make a little sugar syrup (1 part water to 2 parts sugar and heat in microwave until sugar dissolved) brush this onto the tops of the cakes while it is hot and then stick down the white icing shapes. Sprinkle with icing sugar/powder and then I put a glace cherry on top.

If you want to make a smaller batch, just halve each ingredient exactly.

Enjoy & Merry Christmas from Jane @ Jane Monk Studio!

7 Billion People out there now

2011-11-22T14:36:00.000+11:00

Did you know that there are now (proabably a few more) 7 Billion people in the world.   I know it was all over the news a little while ago ... I'm slow to catch up sometimes.

You can see what number you were when you were born ...

Apparently I am number 3,400,453,932nd person to be born.
So in the 45 years I have been hanging about, we have doubled our population. Wow!

If you want to find out what number person in the world you are ... Click Here

New Tangle Pattern - Fysh

2011-11-18T14:51:00.001+11:00

I really am into circles lately and was revisiting my journal to see what I had done .. this was way back in May this year... then I thought ... did I show you this tangle pattern of mine ... I call these ones Fysh.

They remind me of sea creatures and go really really well with the Zentangle pattern "Squid" as a centre.

Here are a whole bunch of single ones ... they really do lend themselves to personalisation.

Enjoy and Happy Tangling for now ... Jane

Meant to say ... you can see them in my previous post of coloured flowers ... yep that's them Fysh there posing as flowers!

I've been playing in my Journal

2011-11-15T12:37:00.000+11:00

I have been having fun with some ideas for String Lines ... these ones are all running parallel horizontally and I have drawn a message in them, tangled the outside border. These would be a great little gift tag or something like that for someone special. Think of Christmas messages for your presents to those who are special to you. (note here: I celebrate Christmas, but if you dont' you could use the idea for your special celebrations throughout the year)

You could really go to town with these, what fun!

And I have been quite immobile over the past week or so as a result of the SLE (lupus) that I have ... so I have been playing with my journal trying to cheer myself up! My hands can sometimes be quite wonky, so using watercolours help to make things look good.

This is something I truly believe - if you dream it, you will make it come true! Dreams are the impetus to drive us forward to achieve that which we crave. I used to dream of a little cottage overlooking the water and mountains when I was young ... for the past 12 years that is exactly where I have lived. And I am sure I have seen my husbands face in my dreams before I met him!

It all comes down to Happiness ... it is life's contentment that makes me happy. What about you?

And here I loved playing with letters ... some styles are inspired by those I have seen in calligraphy books. I am not a calligrapher, but sure would like to be able to turn a nice letter.

Hmmmm ... thinking about all things fishing and my husband's story on how big the fish was that took his hook.

Flowers, who doesn't love them with their glorious colours.

And we all need sunshine in our lives.

Look ... more word strings ... almost all coloured in.

Well ... I hope you are having a great week wherever you are. I love Journalling in my down times as they make me take a look at how I am travelling and where I would like to head on my next adventure here at home!

Happy tangling for now ... Jane x

An Update on "Connections"

2011-11-04T13:36:00.001+11:00

I thought you might like to see my progress on this huge drawing. I've only shown you a little corner of it before, so here is the whole thing.

There are so so many circles, little circles and big circles.

You can see there is still a way to go with this and I only work on it when I need a little peace and quiet.

Connections.

Enjoy ... but don't copy.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Please don't call it a Doodle

2011-11-03T12:54:00.000+11:00

High up on my horse right now!   I have noticed quite a few people calling what they do "doodles".   If you are intentionally using paper and pen, pencil or any other medium to make deliberate marks on paper - you are DRAWING (sorry about the raised voice).    Doodling is mindless, no direction, no intention and your mind is occupied elsewhere.   In a meeting, I doodle - my mind is concentrating on what the speaker is saying, or in some cases, what I am cooking for dinner.   While on the phone, I doodle - my mind is thinking about what I am saying, whom I am saying it to etc .... do you get the picture.

So, in my opinion (and you don't have to agree with me), when you intentionally draw something it is called a drawing.   When you intentionally draw something using the Zentangle method of string and patterns, you are tangling and you have created a Zentangle.

I know that a lot of you, probably most of you, put in a lot of effort and thought into what you draw, so please don't degrade it by calling it Doodling.   You are drawing.

Okay, hopping off the horse before I get bucked off for now.

Happy tangling .... Jane x

The winner is number 7

2011-11-01T08:57:00.000+11:00

The winner is Number 7 ... that is Raylene (for Molly)
I hope you enjoy it Molly.

Thank you to everyone for entering ... I hope you have been inspired to make your own book of tangles.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

A Zentangle Tile Book Giveaway

2011-10-26T07:03:00.000+11:00

Last night I made this little book using a whole pack of pre-strung Zentangle tiles and a couple of blank tiles as the book inside covers. I have also added a few blank tiles to the back.

The best thing about this "book" is that you can take the tiles out and change them around as the clips open.

I used a nice sheet of velum for the covers.

I only had blue clips to secure the book ... but they don't look too bad. They could be changed for ribbon or braid.

The book open.

Leave a post and tell me why you would like to own this book ...

I will announce a winner (at my discretion) on Tuesday 1st of November before 8am my time in Tasmania Australia.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

A New Tangle Pattern - "Strata"

2011-10-24T14:39:00.001+11:00

You may have noticed this new tangle pattern in a few of my tangles over the past months. I thought I would share the steps with you. Basically you draw shapes and connect them with straight lines, I like to use multiples of three going every which way. If you look at my last post in the bottom left hand corner you can see this pattern and how I have used it. Also the post before that, in the second photo - I have used Strata as the background for the Zentangle pattern Hollibaugh. It reminds me of the, well, Strata of the earth.

I hope you enjoy it and show me some tangles that you create using this pattern. Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

New Tangle with a different string

2011-10-23T20:57:00.000+11:00

This is an A4 sized tangle - letter size for you Americans.
I wanted to do a tangle using my name as the string, so with my pencil I drew Jane on the landscape plane and Monk on the portrait plane. You can just about see it now the tangle is finished. I had fun doing this one.
You can see here it is done in ink but not yet shaded.

This one is shaded ... I just love the magic that shading gives a drawing.

Have a go at using your own name as a tangle. This would also make a great gift, using the recipient's name - very cool I think!

Hope you all have a wonderful week tangling! Jane x

A little more done

2011-10-21T14:24:00.000+11:00

I have done a little more of my latest large picture. Those circles are taking hours to do ... but are quite relaxing and enjoyable.

This is a tangle that I completed in my journal recently. My journal is nearly full and I will be starting another Moleskein journal soon. This was the journal I took with me to Zentangle CZT#4 in October 2010 - seems so long ago and it has been an eventful journey so far.

Happy tangling everyone ... Jane x

Welcome New CZT's

2011-10-19T08:46:00.000+11:00

I would like to congratulate all the new CZT's that have just completed training with Rick & Maria (Zentangle) in Providence last week. There was even Michelle from my own home town here in Tasmania - so a big Congratulations to her also. It brings back great memories of my time over there last year. If you want to see more check out this posting from Zentangle http://zentangle.blogspot.com/2011/10/czt-seminar-7.html

Work in progress.

2011-10-13T06:35:00.001+11:00

Zentangle inspired art ... work in progress - this is a quarter of the page and so far has taken around 20 hours. I am using a Sakura Pigma Micron 005 pen on Archers hot pressed smooth watercolour paper. 10 x 17 inches.

I think I'm going to call this one "Connections"

Zentangle Inspired Quilting ... on DVD

2011-10-10T07:36:00.000+11:00

Last week I was here ...

Yes ... at the Wiggles Hot Potato Studios in Sydney

With this lovely lady
Clare Mooney - Editor of Quilters Companion. (The one on the right is me ... hmmm I do look different with short hair, makeup etc etc!)

In this room

Using this wonderful brand spanking new top of the range Janome Horizon Memory Craft 12000 - only being released this year. Nice.

Showing you all a little bit of how I do things in a Zentangle way on a sewing machine with thread and fabric. Those small stitched tangles on this quilt were done on my domestic sewing machine - they are the size of a traditional tangle tile - 3.5 x 3.5inches.

There will be a project for you to do as well ... this is the "alternate" colourway.

This is one of the blocks ... look familiar to you?

And then these lovely guys took lots of film of my very own quilts that I got together to take with me. I needed four at least - only finished that stripy one on Monday last week!

So there you have it ... in January 2012 you will be able to buy a DVD showing how to do a little bit of Zentangle drawing, and a whole heap of my Zentangle inspired Quilting. I'll keep you posted of the release date. Initially the release will be with Issue 53 of Quilters Companion and the DVD will accompany that issue with the project that is in it. I will also have a number of copies for sale.

It has been a very busy month or so getting ready for this DVD shoot. I was nervous and it might show on film, I missed a few things that I wanted to say but they all were very nice and told me that I did well - only had to do one re-take! It was a lot of fun to work with all these people and I learnt a whole lot of new interesting stuff! So I am going to be a little quiet on the blog front for awhile as I catch up on some customer quilting that I need to get done asap. Happy tangling ... Jane x PS... I know I don't have to remind you that all of these images are my copyright - so please do not repost or copy them - I worked hard to design my quilts and pattern work. thanx.

Toucan - Coloured Pencil Painting

2011-10-09T20:41:00.005+11:00

My Toucan is finished ... I have used Fabriano Artistico watercolour paper and Polychromos coloured pencils. I am pretty happy with it and my feather work is getting better, although I didn't quite achieve the nice curve of his shoulder. Anyway this is just a quick post ... have some tangly news for you all next week. Cheers for now ... Jane x

Edit to add: The correct name for this bird is a Keel Billed Toucan ... I used Faber-Castell Polychromos artists' colour pencils on Fabriano Artistico Hot Pressed Extra White Watercolour Paper - 300gsm.

Once again my photo reference was taken by Tambako

Almost forgot about my girl's photo

2011-10-05T22:33:00.000+11:00

This was my girl "Shadow" on the weekend ... happily sharing our son's bed ... mainly because the boy cats were on my bed!

Next week I will have a fabric feast for you all ... a reveal of one of my Zentangle inspired projects.

See you all then ... happy Tangling for now. Jane x

This is the Life!

2011-10-03T09:40:00.000+11:00

Jet - basking in the sun on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning!

Merlin - always on the edge.

My boys are three years old this month and are still very playful like kittens when they are not being totally lazy!

Something Different

2011-09-30T12:21:00.000+10:00

Ice and Snow make ordinary things spectacularly beautiful. These are some photos I took a few months ago now ... in the middle of winter.

Enjoy ... I hope everyone has a great weekend ... Jane x

A Challenge to make someone's day.

2011-09-28T08:08:00.000+10:00

I have been watching everyone's weekly Diva Challenges - they are great, fantastic and very inspiring. But ... I don't see much else on your blog sites anymore ... I thought I would offer my own challenge to you all!

Create a Zentangle tile (you know the ones - lol)
You don't have to sign the back if you don't want to ... but add the date~! Make sure you take a picture.

Then the next time you are walking down the street, stop someone and give it to them with a smile and tell them it is for them and wish them a great day! If you don't feel comfortable doing this, or it is not safe to do it where you live - give it to someone you know.

Create a Zentangle for no reason other than to make someone you don't know smile!

Post your picture to your blog ... you can link back here if you like and tell us what the reaction was and how it made "you" feel.

Make more than one if you like.

Enjoy.
Jane x

An Update

2011-09-26T16:50:00.000+10:00

The Macaw is finished....for now!

The Toucan has had some more done ... not there yet.

And I started a Lion's eye ... this will also give me some good practise at doing fur close up. This one has a long long way to go yet!

Enjoy looking ... Jane x

I can if a Toucan

2011-09-21T12:26:00.000+10:00

The next drawing is well underway .... this time I am using Faber-Castell Polychromos artists' colour pencils on Fabriano Artistico Hot Pressed Extra White Watercolour Paper - 300gsm.

Once again my photo reference was taken by Tambako (you can look him up on Flickr). His photographs are beautiful.

As you can see I am doing a few bird drawings. I would love to do a series of Australian Birds, but need some reference photographs.

Can't wait until the weekend when I will be able to get back to this one ... Jane

Almost done

2011-09-18T18:39:00.000+10:00

Been a productive weekend ... this is the Macaw ... nearly finished now.

I thought I would go through what I had done, but am too tired ... some of the steps are shown below. I might come edit it in the next few days and put in more of the base layer photos.

I am really happy how he pops off the page. You know, I really didn't know that I could draw like this - well I knew I could draw - but not like this with coloured pencils ... I really do love it a lot - very satisfying.
Enjoy. Jane

Beak finished, doing more layering on the feather areas. The beak has maybe 10 layers of colour.

More layering on the feathered areas ... I ended up putting about 12 layers down.

The black chest feathers are done and I am starting to put the feather details in on the orange/green areas. Also more on the face ... lots of wrinkles on that face.

A close up of the nearly finished pic...forgot to turn the flash off so the beak/face looks a bit washed out.

My work space

I have a secret!

2011-09-16T09:13:00.001+10:00

My secret is that I love books ... I have a whole library of them and have been buying books since I was a teenager - I learn really well from books (I even did my degree by way of Distance Education with lots of books). I have to tell you that the Book Depositry has become my best friend! My books cover a lot of different subjects that have caught my attention over the years ... but one book I have been waiting for ... and it arrived this week. "Masterful Color" by Arlene Steinberg ... it is all about coloured pencil painting (I have a few books on the subject - grin!). This book talks about how to use complimentary colours as underpainting. I mainly use graphite as my drawing medium and while I have done a few coloured pencil drawings and even some paintings, and had heard of the concept (especially in the old masters paintings) I had never used complimentary colour underpainting before. Do you want to follow along?

This is Arlene's book ... just released. She has a website here http://arlenesteinberg.com/ ... go check it out later!

These will be my friend over the course of this journey ... I am using Sanford Prismacolor pencils and Prismacolor Verithin pencils. You could use any good quality coloured pencils though - there are pros and cons for each different brand. Hmmm I have a few of those too ... Prismacolor, Derwent Artists, Derwent Watercolour, Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils (one of my favourites) and I would love a set of Faber-Castell Abrecht Durer watercolour pencils - another year perhaps. Pencils last a long time ... I have some still from when I was 15. I used to buy one pencil at a time, $2.00 a pencil which was a lot of money way back when I was 15 - OMG 30 years ago now - funny how you don't really feel different on the inside - it's all about gravity you know ;)

In this instance I will be using the Prismacolors. I also use an Electric Pencil Sharpener to keep a nice fine point on my pencils ... sharpening your pencils become second habit and colouring feels wrong if the pencil is not sharp.

This is my subject ... a beautiful Macaw. This photo was taken by "Tambako", a fellow in Switzerland who is a wonderful photographer. He has graciously given me permission to use his photo for my drawing. Thankyou :)

I have to tell you something ... when I print out my reference photos ... I use a gloss photo paper ... you get so much more depth than using just plain old printing paper.

So I start by drawing my outlines and main features in with a 2B pencil very lightly. Sorry the photos are not the best here ... I will try and take better ones as I progress. You could use a lightbox and trace the outline if you like, or there are other methods of transferring a drawing onto your paper.

I am using Fabriano Artistico Extra White Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper in 300gsm.

I start the Underpainting ... I have used Indigo blue on the beak and have started a little on the eyes .. but back to them after.

In this photo you can see (just) that i have finished the underpainting of the beak and darker chest feather area with the Indigo Blue. I have also underpainted the head - both the green and blue feather area with Clay Rose, as this colour is a complimentary colour for both of these main colours.
(am I making sense?) I have also underpainted the orange feather area with Muted Turquoise.

I have used a very light touch with a very very sharp pencil, making very small circular overlapping movements - this helps to fill colour into all the paper and gives a nice smooth look. I leave white space where there are white areas in the picture. I have also started to do the top of the beak where I was testing out using Black Cherry to give the Black beak some depth. (note to self .... use a piece of scrap paper the same as you are using for the portrait, to do the colour testing) I will be adding more and more layers though.

So that is the start of my Macaw ... I will be spending more time during the weekend and hopefully will be able to show you something reasonably on its way by Sunday night. Goodness now I had better put the computer and the pencils away and get off to work ... there is quilting to be done!

Cheers and have a good weekend everyone. PS ... if there are any coloured pencil artists out there who wish to comment or add something more to my explanation, please feel free - the more the merrier!

In the middle of the night ...

2011-09-14T10:35:00.002+10:00

In the middle of the night ... now there is a song about that somewhere!

...but in the middle of last night, around 2am, I woke up and felt like Tangle Time. Yesterday afternoon I had been making some journals from my beautiful Fabriano Artistico extra white hot pressed paper and had a few off cuts. I pulled out my trusty little pattern book and skipped the pages until a pattern caught my eye ... I love these patterns - did I tell you I only use official Zentangle patterns and my own patterns in my drawings - otherwise I would not remember where they came from.

What do you think .... a little snapshot about six inches long. Zentangle love love love!

Jet says he likes it too - the getting up early business 'cause it is amazing what you can see out the windows in the dark!

Hope you get your tangle on today too ... Jane x

Edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U94lGTSzaoU just in case you want to hear Billy Joel sing "In the middle of the night" ... I do like this song!

A different kind of weekend

2011-09-11T20:49:00.000+10:00

I spent the weekend doing this ... also did a little coloured pencil work.

I also went fishing ... it snowed! The fish must have known it was snowing because they all stayed home!

Hope everyone has a great week.

Happy tangling ... Jane x

Zentangle Inspired Quilting

2011-09-07T19:13:00.000+10:00

Zentangle has been calling my name again! I have done a little quilting on a wall hanging ... using Silver metallic thread (Superior) and black So Fine (Superior) ... So this is not the finished piece ... I will post more when I have done some more ... in a few weeks perhaps. The Zentangle "tiles" will be quilted as if they are little drawings. I was inspired by one of my drawings in my Journal in February. Keeping a journal is a wonderful thing!

This is the whole piece still on my longarm machine - it is very nice to be enthused and excited by a project again.

Enjoy and happy tangling ... Jane x

Other Things I do

2011-09-01T07:39:00.000+10:00

Crocheting ... I have been doing this since I taught myself (with the help of my big sister Anne) in 1997. I love lace crochet mostly and have made some really large pieces of cotton thread crochet (tablecloths). These are two little bags I made while sitting in front of the Television last night - can't keep those hands still and if I do they will cease up!

Crochet fingerless hand mitts - my own pattern - very warm and comfy (secretly my husband wants a pair).

I also started spinning about two months ago and have been enjoying this ... I have found I love to spin laceweight yarn ... I guess that is because I love to crochet laceweight style. I have an old Ashford Traditional spinning wheel which I got from a local market ... I am glad it has a nice home where it is appreciated and used a lot.

During July when the Tour de France was on ... Ravelry (an online fibre community) have their Tour de Fleece - everyone spins and challenges themselves on the tour challenges and gives themselves virtual yellow jersey's if they feel they deserve it - all a lot of fun.   This is a little bit of what I did - yes I also have learnt to spin on a spindle which I love.   My spinning has improved a lot - these pictures are of my first lot of spinning.   I am an insomniac and now love to spin in the middle of the night - that rhythmic whirr of the wheel can put me to sleep!

Usually during the weekdays I am a longarm machine quilter and quilt for other people (you can see more at my blog http://purrfectlyquilted.blogspot.com)

I was working during the weekends but found this to be too difficult both physically and mentally - so now I only do around 4 days a week if I can. One day a week is left for doing chores and things I have to do to keep the house running. You know what I mean ... cleaning, shopping, washing etc etc. The older we get, the longer these things take to do. I am good at procrastination too!

But the weekends are mine to be with my family and play ... I choose between tangling (yes I still do this and will post some more soon); drawing with coloured pencil and graphite (an old love of mine); crochet (very easy to put down and pick up where you left off even if it was months ago); spinning fibre (a very new love) and I still quilt for myself occasionally and am in the process of putting together some projects at the moment.

In the words of singer James Blunt "My life is brilliant".   Having SLE (lupus) makes me plan my time better (especially around the days I have the heavy drugs) and focus on what is important to me.     So I say make time for the little things that make you smile, even if it is just sharing a minute or two with someone special to you.

So for now I would like to show you one little blog that makes me smile everytime I go and read it .... http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/ I almost guarantee it will make you smile too. Have fun and tangle some too!   Jane x

What you do in class

2011-08-19T18:06:00.000+10:00

I was in Adelaide last week attending a class with an International Quilting Teacher (Sharon Schamber). While she was talking and showing us how she makes her quilts on the longarm (and they are magnificent quilts) ... I tangled my page with my own quilting designs and feathers ... all in a very Zentangle style of course!

I find that drawing whilst listening to someone in a lecture or meeting ... assists my ability to recall what I have heard later on. My learning style is definately not auditory!

Now I am going to have to quilt these little drawings to see how beautiful they look!

Hope everyone has a tangling good weekend. Jane x

This says it all!

2011-08-11T12:23:00.000+10:00

“Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible. I think it's in my basement... let me go upstairs and check.” – M.C. Escher

I love this ... it really says it all for me and how I think about my art!

PS ... If I have quotations here from cited authors or from anonymous authors, you do not need my permission to use them - they are not mine. However, if anything is mine - you do require permission to use it.

You all amaze me!

2011-08-03T14:56:00.000+10:00

You have visited my blog 40,000 times since 4 December 2010 - that is just amazing. I am amazed at how many want to "follow" me. You know that when you follow my blog I go check out yours and some of your links too ... it is amazing how diverse and interesting and talented we all are. So many have left lovely comments which have given me a boost when I've needed it. I love that you love what I do. It is unfortunate that a lot of artist minds feel like they haven't done enough or what they have done isn't good enough ... who said "Don't worry about perfection, you'll probably never reach it" - what great advice just get on and make your art.

I also received a special little package in the mail today that told me that "All art requires courage". Oh how special that makes me feel, albeit a little teary. It was like a little hug all wrapped up in love and packaged into an envelope - I will keep it to myself for a little longer though, so I can cherish the sentiment and love that came with it.

In the meantime ... I can share with you all and say thank you for visiting my blog ... leaving messages or just visiting and making that little counter tick over - I know you have been here and that means a lot to me.

So I will give you "L for Love" with a few Zentangle patterns and a few of my own mixed intogether.

Hugs
Jane
x

My Cat is so sad

2011-08-02T15:50:00.000+10:00

This is Jet, you may have seen him before on my blog - this is the face I get when I won't let him eat my crochet thread .... he really wants to run off with the whole lot and bat it around the room.

I read this ... and then thought about it.

2011-08-01T09:11:00.002+10:00

There's always a little truth behind every 'just kidding.'
A little knowledge behind every 'I don't know.'
A little emotion behind every 'I don't care.'
A little love behind every 'I hate you!'
A little uneasiness behind every 'I'm okay.'
A little pain behind every 'forget it.'
A little fear behind every 'leave me alone.'
A little hope behind every 'goodbye.'
And a little 'something' behind every 'nothing.'
Author Unknown

And it gave me food for thought ... I wanted to share it with you all.

Look at these words from your own personal point of view. We all know the world can be overwhelming to us at times, especially the smallness whilst being vast that the internet has created and we have probably all, at some time, said some of these things. From my perspective, I have been trying to work out what is important to me. One of the things that keep recurring is "simplicity of life". I want little and need less but still have this burning desire to create. Truth be known, I probably have enough supplies to keep me in creativity mode for a few years to come. So I am going to work with what I have for the rest of the year.

My first step is to finish my Zentangle alphabet book ... I am thinking of self publishing an e-book from my web site, that you can download and read. The Letter "Z" is below - Would you want that? I'll let you know how I go with that.
I will also be quilting and continuing to draw in my journals!

So I can now see the beginnings of where I would like to be and some of that light at the end of that long dark tunnel. Progress takes but one step at a time, creativity is no different.
Cheers for now ... Jane

Drawing

2011-07-17T18:57:00.001+10:00

I spent the weekend playing with pencils ... love!

This is a tulip I drew with Prismacolor pencils in my "flower journal" .... my first real attempt at drawing water droplets. The first layer is blended with Zest It.

A beautiful alpaca drawn in Graphite. I loved that he had a bit of straw sticking out of his mouth - vcute!

Just had approval to use this beautiful boy's name
"Middle Earth Gandalf " .... now isn't that special for a beautiful white Alpaca.

You may have been wondering...

2011-07-14T11:07:00.000+10:00

Hi there ... you may have been wondering where I have been and what I have been up to.

I know this sounds awful but I needed a Zentangle Break. I have been Zentangled out! I was writing up and drawing for my Zentangle Book, however, when the publisher sold her business and I was asked to sign a new contract with the new publisher - I declined. The main reasons are because I felt I didn't want to give my work away for such a low monetary value, although I believe this is normal. I also didn't want to do "projects". I just want a book of my art in the Zentangle style, more like a coffee table book. I have created and modified a number of alphabets all decorated with tangles. I choose only to use the official Zentangle patterns and my own patterns - with a couple of exceptions and one is BTLjuice by Sandra Bartholomew (I hope she doesn't mind). Anyway ... with no publisher ... this project will sit on the backburner almost complete, but with more being added a drawing at a time.

The other thing is that I am a professional machine quilter and I needed to get back to quilting quilts. I only like to quilt three or four days a week due to my health restrictions. If I do too much I get tired and start to get flare ups of my autoimmune disease symptoms...so I have learnt to take it slowly.

You may have noticed, I have also been revisiting my old drawing styles, portraiture in graphite and coloured pencil "painting". I love pencils ... if I could earn a living from drawing, I would do it full time. Commission work is hard to find.

So there you have it ... I hope to put up some freebee projects for you guys ... I have a couple of simple cute things you can make to show off your Zentangle drawings and you can share them with your kids too! So bear with me, I'll be back posting soon.

Cheers for now
Jane

Giving up on this one

2011-07-04T08:51:00.000+10:00

This is supposed to be a drawing of my husband .. you can see that I haven't finished. I just can't get the teeth right - he has perfectly straight teeth and the mouth is not right either. I am declaring defeat and picking another picture where his mouth is closed - lol!

Perhaps I could convince him to do a sitting for me. I used to do portrait drawing in "quick" 40 minute sittings with pastel, charcoal or graphite ... so many years ago now but the looser quick portrait was enjoyable to do.

Cheers for now
Jane

Pencil drawing

2011-06-30T19:03:00.000+10:00

A quick sketch (15 minutes) with graphite ... my son at age 17 - in relaxed company. I loved the photograph of him here!

Still Taking Leave - but wanted to Share This

2011-06-19T19:22:00.000+10:00

I needed a break from all that is Zentangle and Quilting ... so I picked up my coloured pencils (Prismacolor this time), a bottle of Zest It Pencil Blend and a journal that I had made from Fabriano Artistico Watercolour paper.

I had previously done a watercolour wash on all the pages with different colours and then spattered watercolour paint wash with a brush onto the pages - some I used rock salt as well. This gave me a fantastic background to do some pencil paintings.

This is the front page ... you have to know that I did not have flowers to copy from ... I copied a line drawing and coloured from the heart, how I recall these flowers to look. So they may not be botanically correct. That is okay - because it is a journal of my favourite flowers!

This is a little way into the book ... on the Pink page.

The yellow page ... I love daisys

All of these Pencil Paintings were done with a base of colour, a layer of Zest It Pencil Blend and then more layers of colour.

I have had a restful weekend doing what I love to do - draw - with colour!

Okay ... see you all in a week or so.

Cheers
Jane
x

Taking some leave

2011-06-16T13:09:00.002+10:00

Hi there ... just writing to let you all know that I am going to be taking some leave from my blogs for a little while.

I hope you have enjoyed my postings and the couple of videos ... keep Tangling!

Jane
x

Video Tutorial - Zest It Pencil Blend with Colour

2011-06-15T21:43:00.001+10:00

What you have all been waiting for ... this video shows how I use the Zest It Pencil Blend to blend Prismacolor Pencils, Derwent Inktense Pencils and also a Generals Sketch & Wash graphite pencil. The video does go for over 10 minutes though. I also forgot to tell you that you can "sharpen" or "clean" your Paper Stump by using an emery board - the big ones with foam in the middle work well, or just use a piece of sand paper. It is best to clean them when they are dry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj9YNTatJVA

I couldn't upload the video to my blog ... if the link doesn't work you cut and paste it into your search engine it should take you to my video tutorial - I hope you enjoy this video.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

A Winter Wonderland in Tasmania

2011-06-13T16:58:00.000+10:00

Last week in the Central Highlands of Tasmania we had another snowfall ... this one was much more substantial than the last one we had a few weeks before. I know to some of you, you see more snow than this during winter - but it is pretty exciting for me as I was well into my twenties before I saw snow.

A little frozen lake

The back yard! It was wonderful to wake up in the morning and see all the animal tracks in the snow - mostly wallabies.

Stay tuned for later this week ... a Zest-It Pencil Blend video tutorial ... it takes awhile to upload so I will do it when the house is quiet.

Also thank you to Jacqui of J and T Blackman Ltd who own Zest-It ... Jacqui has listed my blog and website in their How to use Zest-it Pencil Blend with Coloured Pencils section ... here is the link if you want to have a look ...
http://www.zest-it.com/colouredpencils.htm

See you all later this week ... I hope you enjoy my snow pics.

Happy Tangling ... Jane x

Tangle with Crayons & Zest It Pencil Blend

2011-06-08T21:04:00.000+10:00

My finished piece.

I used Caran de'Ache watersoluable painting crayons and laid down three areas of colour - very lightly.

I then used the Zest It Pencil Blend on the wide part of a blending stump and blended the individual areas - starting with the lighter yellow first. Unfortunately my photos do not show the real picture - the blending was quite smooth to look at in person.

I then drew some of my favourite tangle patterns, including one of my own - "Wiggle" (making it's debut here)

I then added "bubbles" with my Prismacolor Verithin pencils - I love these as they keep a really nice fine point when sharpened.

I then coloured in more of the actual tangle patterns and the finished Tangle is at the very top of this posting .... this took me tops 15 minutes to do and I loved the colour play.

I thought I would do a quick visual guide for some of my pencils and how they work with the Zest It.

This one is my General's Sketch & Wash graphite pencil ... I first laid down a very quick graduated area of graphite, then used the Zest It Pencil Blend on the bottom half - the water soluable graphite has some really really good possibilities when shading some of my larger, more complex drawings.

You can see here I have done the same as the graphite but have used some of my colour pencils and crayons. Click on the image to get a better view.

Now I have worked out how to do quick little videos ... I will work on one over this next weekend on blending with pencils and Zest It. I can't wait to have an interrupted day of playing with my pens and pencils.

I hope you have enjoyed this rather long post ... see you next week with another video.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Video for Jane's Tangle Pattern "SPINNER"

2011-06-07T08:23:00.000+10:00

This is my tangle pattern "Spinner" ... it is really simple and very useful to add a bit of fun to your Zentangle art.

This is my very first video, so I hope it is okay and you can see how I create this simple pattern "Spinner".
The video was taken on my Olympus All-Weather camera - just a little point and shoot digital - I'm amazed at what it can do. The only problem is, I don't know how to edit it - so what you see is what you get - I don't think it is too bad though.

I hope you enjoy!

I have some samples I did on the Zest-It Pencil Blend, showing how it works with different types of pencils, also a water soluable graphite pencil. Check back later this week for that post.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Tutorial for Blending Coloured Pencil with Zest It

2011-06-02T12:55:00.003+10:00

As promised - here is my tutorial on how to use Zest It to blend with coloured pencil - Zentangle style!

Start with a drawing ... of course I couldn't go past Mooka Pods. You will see that I have only done the line drawings with the Pigma pen - no patterns inside yet.

Lay your colour onto the drawing. I have used Prismacolor Verithin pencils here.

You can see you only need a light covering.

Next colour - pink

Add some green into the stems

Darker green into the stems and the frills on the pods.

None of these have been "blended" yet.

With a paper stump, dip it into the Zest-It and use small circular motions to blend coloured pencil. Starting from the lighter colours first, then into the darker ones.

See the second pod from the left, I have blended that with a paper stump and some Zest It. Be sure to add only enough Zest It to dampen your stump, don't have it dripping wet.

The difference in colour is quite pronounced and you can see that the colour is blended quite smoothly.

Next I have done the green frill in the centre of the same pod (second from left)

I have started the main pod here ... can you see where I have blended so far?

The purple of the largest pod is now blended.

Here I have blended all the pods and their green centres as well as all the stems and little mooka pods.

Next I add in more inkwork with the Pigma Micron pen.

I decided to colour the "peas" in the pods and have blended them as well.

Don't forget to sign and date your art.

Finished piece ... I have laid a light colouring of purple over the background but have not blended it with the Zest It.

This is the Blending Kit I sell in my store - janemonkstudio.com

The kit contains a 125ml bottle of Zest It Pencil Blend, a Micron 01 Pigma pen in black, a double ended paper stump, 5 Zentangle tiles and a kneadable eraser - all for $28.00

You can also use the Zest It Pencil Blend with Derwent Inktense pencils for a wonderful effect, as well as your normal watercolour pencils.

Have fun Tangling some Colour ... Jane x

Added Note: To those of you who want to purchase Zest It outside Australia ... it is a product from the UK ... this may assist in your finding it online. And Lori has added a link in the comments to help - thanks Lori.

I would also like to add that if you are a serious pencil artist or want to pursue more detailed pencil work, you can use the Zest It Pencil Blend to smooth out your under layer of colour pencil and add more details on top when this has dried ... very much like using a liquid marker ... a great way to get colour backgrounds for Zentangle Inspired Art. I hope this helps and I would love to see your pencil coloured art if you would share it with me here at Jane Monk Studio! Cheers for now, Jane x

Gosh ... where did May go?

2011-05-30T10:10:00.000+10:00

I am working on a little project ... this is a six inch square Zentangle ... machine quilted on my domestic sewing machine. I'm working on "Mooka" next!

It is so cute and so achievable ... I do Zentangle for Quilters workshops too!

Okay back to where did May go ... I have been working on several projects as well as quilting in my Longarm Machine Quilting job (Purrfectly Quilted)

I will have a little tutorial here later this week ... for colour with Zentangle ... a little taster so to speak.

Still a couple of days left in May to get busy ... so happy tangling for now... Jane x

More on the Letter "R"

2011-05-17T19:15:00.003+10:00

I know this is not a great photograph ... I took it tonight as I thought I would share the progress with you all.

I still have quite a way to go on this ... but it is looking pretty good and that "Mooka" pattern is creeping in everywhere ... also my Mooka Pods with a twist - I have made the pods look like the "Finery" pattern - I love it.

I have also used a pale gray ink to draw more tangle patterns in the background. Lots of shading to go yet.

Enjoy ... Jane x

Molly's a Star Tangler

2011-05-17T09:10:00.001+10:00

A little while ago I taught a 12 year old young lady how to Zentangle. She doesn't have access to an art room as she does school by distance education. We spent a morning together and I showed her a whole heap of Zentangle patterns - she was a very very quick learner!

This is what she made for her Mum on Mother's Day - isn't it absolutely wonderful. I think she has used a micron and the Staedtler Triplus fine liners to draw this piece. It is beautiful - well done Molly!

What do you all think about this - don't you love the stars ....

Happy tangling for now .... Jane x

My Mooka Pod & some inspiration

2011-05-09T07:40:00.000+10:00

Please ... a drumroll for Mooka Pod!

I have been very inspired by Rick & Maria's Mooka pattern and have come up with this variation I call Mooka Pod. There is no shading on this yet, but it is only a little piece of art - not even as long as a Micron pen.

It started out like this ... playing around with Mooka ... I really really like this - did I say that already - lol!

Last week was AGFEST here in Tasmania ... a very very large (by Australian standards) Agricultural show. I couldn't resist snapping a shot of these ferns ... do they look a bit Mookerish to you?

And for my inspiration ... this is my weekend view sometimes ...heaven!

The kitties like it too.

They always want to go outside ... and spend quite a bit of time out on their harness and leads.

And yesterday it snowed - on Mother's Day no less! What a perfect ending to a lovely day.

Happy Tangling for now everyone ... Jane x

2011-05-04T13:00:00.000+10:00

I have been playing with colour - again!

This is a variation of Zentangle pattern "Squid" along with one of my new patterns "Fysh" ... they remind me of those sand dollars and star fish you get washed up on the beaches.

And also my first "Mooka". This is a darling pattern from Rick and Maria at Zentangle and if you haven't already had a go with it, I recommend it. I have used both black and brown Pigma Micron's here. Still have some shading to go.

WORKSHOPS .... I have just returned from Melbourne where I have been teaching at Michelle's Sewing Basket (both beginner Zentangle and Zentangle for Quilters). These classes were a great success and I am now booked to return to Melbourne to do my two day drawing workshop (Illuminated Letters with Zentangle) on the 9th & 10th September 2011 ... you can contact Michelle or Jim at Michelle's Sewing Basket as they are my hosts again.

My Newsletter will be out next week and there will be some exciting news about what I am up to ...... so if you haveven't already, sign up for it on my web site http://janemonkstudio.com

Happy Tangling everyone ... Jane x

Happy Easter Holiday

2011-04-20T10:33:00.002+10:00

I have been Tangling (and quilting for my customers - so have been pretty busy) ... here is a sneak peek at something I am working on at the moment for a friend. You can see here I have used my patterns Tadpegs, Swirly Blossom, Fern and Baby Fern as well as Zentangle patterns Fescu, Jetties, Finery, Printemps as well as Zinger, and I am sure by the time I finish, I will have used a whole heap more.

I am also working on a large project which I will be able to reveal soooon I hope. I am not very good at keeping exciting stuff to myself.

On Saturday morning I did a short Adult Education Workshop for Beginners Zentangle and it was a great class - everyone enjoyed themselves and we had a fantastic venue with great light.

This is my baby - Jet - he loves to help me tangle and just has to see what I am up to. I'm sure he would hold the pen if he could!

I would like to wish everyone a great Easter holiday break and hope you have time to Tangle. I will be back on line when I return from Melbourne where I am doing a number of classes as Michelle's Sewing Basket - I am also the guest speaker for the Australian Quilting Guild of Victoria - very excited about that!

Happy Tangling for now ... see you all soon ... Hugs Jane x

Classes at Michelle's Sewing Basket in Victoria

2011-04-13T09:37:00.001+10:00

My next round of classes are at Michelle's Sewing Basket in Melbourne - VIC.

Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May 2011

Classes on Friday are full, Saturday (Zentangle for Quilters) is almost full I believe and we are now running another class on Sunday.

Contact details for bookings are:

03 9870 0011 for bookings. http://www.michellessewingbasket.com.au/webcontent1.htm

We would love to see you there.

Cheers
Jane

Zentangle Tiles at my Sydney Workshop & A Visitor

2011-04-11T06:08:00.002+10:00

Last month I was in Sydney teaching Zentangle ... you know how it is ... you are busy teaching so don't take as many photos as you should.

There was some seriously good Tangling happening. Here are some of the tiles from the girls in Campbelltown NSW.

This class was organised by SandiO ... a fabulous textile artist who specialises in felting. I could have taken some of her creations home ... you can visit SandiO on her blog. Thank you Sandi for a successful class.

This is Lisa ... all the way from Houston TX (well she really flew in from Sydney to take a full day one-on-one workshop with me). We had a great day tangling. I hope you enjoyed Tasmanian hospitality Lisa, you did some great tangles.

Okay that is it for now ... I have a busy week ahead quilting customer quilts, a haircut and running a teenager around as well as working on a large Zentangle project ... more on that later down the track.

Happy tangling for now ... Jane x

A glimps of Outback Australia

2011-04-06T14:32:00.000+10:00

I love the beauty of the Outback ... I took this photograph while I was in New South Wales last week - it says Outback for me.

I hope you have all been tangling away while I have been gone. Don't you just love Zentangle's new pattern Mooka ... Maria you have done it again!

I hope to have some more of my Zentangles to show you next week. Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

A commission

2011-04-04T07:11:00.001+10:00

I have spent some time while I have been away on a special commission piece - I do love making these little wonders.

What a wonderful way to spend two days ... I hope all in Australia are enjoying these beautiful Autumn days we are having at the moment.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Left & Right

2011-03-20T00:14:00.000+11:00

Over on I am the diva blog there has been a challenge going on for 13 weeks so far.   While I haven't done all of them, I have done some.   I thought you might like to see these.   I did the same Zentangle with my non-dominant and my dominant hand .. Rick and Maria from Zentangle challenged us last year sometime I think to do this ... I hadn't done it for awhile and thought I'd give it another go.

I really pressed the pen harder with my non-dominant hand and found a lack of smoothness of stroke.   Funnily enough I did find doing the lines with my non-dominant hand for "Patena" (the pattern in the lower centre of the two tiles) easier.   I get a bit cross-eyed when doing the diagonal lines for these type of patterns.

If you haven't already, hop on over to The Diva's blog and have a look ... lots to see.

Happy Tangling for now ... those of you who are doing a two day workshop with me in Sydney ... I'm counting the sleeps ... very exciting.   Cheers Jane x

Bookplates and some colour

2011-03-17T06:01:00.003+11:00

There are lots of things you can do with Zentangle drawings ... this one is destined to be a Book Plate for the front of my books I think ... it has some of my favourite Zentangle patterns ... I especially love Marasu (my variation of it because I add those tendrils so it looks like a sea creature). Oh and 'Nzeppel ... you can get some really great curves out of that pattern, and of course there is "Zinger" down in the right hand corner ... I use this one a fair bit too.

And here is Marasu again ... about 4 weeks ago I was lucky enough to get a whole set of Derwent pencils in a beautiful wooden case and had been playing with them.

In this drawing I have used Derwent pencils to colour the background squares, used Staedtler Triplus fineliners to draw Zentangles in them with matching colours, used a beautiful Matisse Ink to paint the background of the Marasu pattern (those three Zentangles) and then a Pigma Micron to draw in the Zentangles. Lots of mediums here ... then one of my friends directed me to this web site where Australian artist Loretta Grayson does the most amazing art work ... I'm not even sure she knows about Zentangle ... but wow - worth checking it out....http://rettg.blogspot.com/ ... sigh ... mine pales in comparison really. I need some more vibrancy in the colours, so I think I will get the Derwent Inktense pencils out and give them a workout soon. I really like the idea of her methods, using pastels and marking the texture in with a stylus...definately food for thought there.

Okay hope you all have a great tangling weekend ... I'm going to be out of blogland for a few days while I prepare for my three workshops in Sydney ... I can't believe they are next week ... time has snuck up on me once again. Happy Tangling ... Jane x

Zentangle Meets Origami at Jane Monk Studio

2011-03-11T14:38:00.000+11:00

As promised ... I have been making some beautiful Origami boxes and some photo frames.

I had some A3 sheets of paper that I had printed some of my Zentangle drawings onto. Rather than waste this paper, I decided to use it to make Zentangle Origami Boxes ... they are beautiful and quite useful too! The thicker white ones with lids at the back are going to be Zentangled too ... I used heavier card stock to make these.

And some "mini" Zentangles ... these are just wonderful, quick and simple to make. I made these ones whilst waiting at the doctors yesterday - would you believe for two hours! Not like I have anything else to do:(

We are enjoying the last vestiges of Summer today ... even though we are in Autumn and have had a few days of very wintery weather ... I love Tasmania! Happy tangling for now ... Jane

A Tantalising Tease

2011-03-09T20:16:00.000+11:00

What wonderful things happen when Origami and Zentangle meet ... hopefully I will have some pics for you in the next few days ...

I am getting ready to go to New South Wales for my three x two day workshops.

The first is with Sandi in Cambelltown ... Thursday 24 and Friday 25 March - This is a 2 Day drawing intensive workshop ... learn lots of Zentangle patterns, a bit of colour, how to utilise Zentangle patterns in your art and journalling ... fun fun fun. Sandi may have one or two spaces left ... go to the Zentangle Calendar link above for contact details if you are interested.

Next I will be in Penrith, New South Wales on Saturday 26 and Sundy 27 March 2011
This is a Two Day Zentangle for Quilters workshop ... you will learn how to draw Zentangle patterns and reproduce those drawings in stitch on fabric .... a great workshop for your free motion quilting skills, and you get to create some great art as well. If you are interested in this class, contact me and I can put you in touch with Michelle who is hosting.

Lucky last on my New South Wales quick trip is off to Orange where I will be doing another 2 day Zentangle drawing intensive. There might even be a heap of school children that I get to show how to Tangle for an hour or so during this week - Children love to Tangle and are so wonderful at it, so I am hoping this will happen.

Then I am back home getting ready for the Adult Education Zentangle class on the 17th of April, then off to Melbourne for two days classes at the end of April with Michele's Sewing Basket and also where I will be the guest speaker at the Australian Quilting Guild - looking forward to that.

You can see all my classes up on the top of my blog at Zentangle Workshop Calendar.

I am also planning some Zentangle Retreats in the Highlands of Tasmania towards the end of the year ... so more on that soon also!

until then happy Tangling....Jane

Write a Caption for this piece of Original Art by Jane Monk

2011-03-02T20:12:00.000+11:00

Just to make me feel better, I thought I would share one of my Original art drawings ... this one is 21 x 8 inches

and ask you .... What would you write as a caption for this drawing??

By the way ... all of my Original Fine Art is for sale - contact me through my web site if you are interested. http://janemonkstudio.com/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=13

Happy tangling for now ... Jane x

A 2 Day Weekend Zentangle Workshop

2011-03-01T09:54:00.001+11:00

A new group of tanglers is born!

On the weekend I was in Hobart (Tasmania) teaching my 2 Day Zentangle Workshop ... what a great weekend.

This is a Zentangle Pre-Strung Ensemble ..the string lines are already done and each person has taken one tile and independently tangled it ... the results when they are brought back together are stunning.

Remember that some of the people who have completed these have NEVER tangled before ... some even said they "COULDN'T DRAW" - I know, incredulous!

These are the tangles from the first day ... oh so cool.

All engrossed in their own Art ... Tangling away.

The youngest member of the group was Rachel ... she has been really creative and has done some lovely tangles .. I love how she has added colour to her piece ... she gave me permission to put it up on my blog ... well done Rachel, I would love to see more of your work.

Thank you to everyone who participated and to Moira who graciously provided her home as a workshop venue ... it was lovely.

If you would like to book a workshop with me you can contact me at Jane Monk Studio link.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

NEWSFLASH

2011-02-25T09:25:00.002+11:00

I have received more stock of Zentangle Kits ... to order visit http://janemonkstudio.com

It's just like Christmas ... Zentangle Kits everywhere!

Taming Tangles with Colour

2011-02-25T06:49:00.002+11:00

Adding colour is something that I love to do. It gives those tangles more dimension, a playful feel if you will.

I started with "J"

Then came R ... I love how my pattern "Swirly Blossom" looks coloured in with the background of "Printemps", add in a few "Zingers", "Nouveau", "Tadpegs" and it is done. Then I thought about just using colour to do the tangles ... so A appeared from the end of my pencils. I used "Tadpegs", "Fern", "Nerfy", "Finery", "Verdigogh" and "Sedgling". A mix of my own patterns and the official Zentangle patterns.

In these three drawings I have used Black 005 and 01 Pigma pens, Staedtler Triplus Fineliners and Prismacolor Pencils. I am still a bit miffed that my box of Prismacolor Pencils have lots of broken lead in them - this is the second box - I figure the postage process must not be very good for them!

Then an "R" with both graphite and colour shading. I have also used a Black 01 Pigma pen and a pale grey Staedtler Triplus Fineliner with a touch of Blue Prismacolour pencil.

I do love the colour, but I like the simplicity of B&W tangles.

Happy Tangling everyone ... have a nice weekend ... Jane x

Jane's Pattern "Fern" and introducing "Nerfy"

2011-02-22T13:01:00.001+11:00

I see that Tangle Patterns (aka Linda Farmer) has put directions up for my pattern Fern (thankyou Linda) ... I do love this pattern - very versatile ... I thought I would show you a project that I have underway ... with a better example of "Fern" and introduce to you his little brother "Nerfy". Nerfy is the fern before it gets to being a fern, that little tendril that comes up first.

The Fern pattern has lots of opportunity for drawing in other patterns inside it ... here I have used my pattern "Raindotty" and a basic circle pattern with a dark background. I love the effect.

Also today I had a comment that a few of my patterns were like other peoples patterns ... this is bound to happen as we are all influenced by the same nature and things that abound on Mother Earth. However ... I would like to say that my patterns "Connectors" and "Loave It" were first "published" in July 2010, before the other pattern came out. Having said that ... there are subtle differences and in the long run, I don't think it really matters ... just enjoy the patterns.

I am looking forward to the weekend ... I am teaching a full two day workshop incorporating Illuminated Letters into your tangling as well as Shading and Colouring ... I can't wait. If you want to book your own private workshop (minimum of 5 people) contact me ... I'd love to hear from you and can be contacted here at Jane Monk Studio.... Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Zentangle Galaxies

2011-02-14T17:26:00.000+11:00

I have been working on this piece over the weekend on and off and 2 hours today at the doctors saw it finished. I had images of worlds and galaxies full of Zentangles whirling through my mind. I like it.

And last week I added some colour to the front page of my A3 journal. Still considering colouring the letters in red or grey ... not sure yet.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone ... hope your sweeties bring you flowers and kind words....Jane x

Something A Little Different

2011-02-11T12:10:00.001+11:00

I love the "free fall" look that this drawing has. I have stacked tiles in drawings before but this time I have drawn different size Zentangle tiles to give depth.

I could say I drew 19 Zentangle tiles early this morning!

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

PS .. I have just added some photos to my quilting blog purrfectlyquilted showing my Zentangles on Fabric ... hop on over and have a look.

Shading - try it, you'll like it!

2011-02-10T13:53:00.001+11:00

There has been a bit of chat lately about using a tortillon for shading. Personally, I like to use a blending stump which is a denser roll of paper.

You can really use anything - a tissue, a piece of paper folded or rolled like the tortillon, a piece of chamoise or fabric.

To see which method you like, get a piece of your favourite drawing paper...lay down some graphite and experiment with the different methods to see what you like. You may like different methods for different effects. Try different grades of pencil as well.

I sharpen my blending stump on a piece of fine grade sandpaper. Although I do have one stump that I keep dirty (with graphite) so I can just add a smidge of shading without putting the pencil on the paper. I also use the edge or side rather than the pointed end.

Heather P (on a Zentangle group) found this link with Google - how to make your own tortillon http://share3.esd105.wednet.edu/sotelops/tortillion.htm - try it with different weights of paper for even more different effects. By the way (for those of you who want to pick me up on spelling - smiling at Kit here!) you can spell it tortillion or tortillon, either way it is a stick of paper.

In my two day workshops, I go into depth with shading techniques - so if you are interested in attending a workshop, or organising a group of your own, let me know. (minimum of 5 people in Tasmania - and other States can be organised. I am currently in NSW in March and VIC in April/May)
And remember I am a Certified Zentangle Teacher ... one of three in Australia and currently the only one in Tasmania. You can see more on my web site here.....janemonkstudio.com

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Work in Progress ...

2011-02-09T07:30:00.001+11:00

I have started working in my A3 Moleskine - not one to leave a blank page blank for very long, I couldn't resist.

Here is my front page ... it looked pretty cool with just the bubbles that are coloured in, before I added more ... but I didn't take a photo.

Bubbles coloured in - I use a Graphic 1 pen to colour in all that black (you can buy them from my website janemonkstudio.com)

This is with all the background coloured in.

I am contemplating the next step ... the words are not quite defined enough for me and I am considering putting a touch of colour around the bubbles, or ... using a light coloured ink to put Zentangles in the letters - much like my Shades of Grey drawings below here ...

I have used Black Sakura Micron Pigma 01 & 005 pens here with two grey shades of Staedtler Triplus Fineliners.

And if you were wondering how I got those circles all so nice and round ... I have a Celco Circle Template with lots of circles ... so I thought I might as well use the tools that I have. It works a treat!

Happy Tangling for Today ... Jane x

Look what arrived yesterday ....

2011-02-08T07:32:00.001+11:00

A huge A3 sized Moleskine Water colour Notebook ... yep A3 - 72 pages of 200gsm beautiful paper.

And a little baby one too!

I have put the Micron pen there so you can see the sizes. www.bookdepository.com.uk (free postage worldwide and pretty good prices too!) (wish I was affiliated with them, because they have a heap of my money - lol!)

I couldn't resist that huge expanse of creamy thick paper and started to draw last night. This book will be my own journal of bigger drawings - for posterity I think!

Not to be egotistical but I would like something of my art to remain for my family when I am gone ... what better way to do it than in a beautiful book form.

I have another little one and I use it to keep all my own patterns in ... I know you haven't seen some of these ones. I currently have over 60 patterns of my own design and more in my head waiting to jump onto paper.

So there you have it ... a quick visit to the book depository online and I have a couple of beautiful Moleskines to draw in ... what more could a girl want (other than pens of course!)

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Decorated Zentangle Inspired Letters

2011-02-06T18:07:00.000+11:00

The Auction items for the QLD Flood Appeal have all been mailed off and the funds have been directly paid to the Premiers Appeal for the QLD Floods ... total raised by my auctions was $865 - thanks to everyone who participated.

I realised I hadn't shown you the finished items .... so here they are

Chrisee asked for a "C" with some silver highlights - I hope you like it Chrisee.

Nancy asked for an "N" and I hope you like this too Nancy.

The Zentangle kit was received with great delight and the quilt I auctioned was also well received by the new owner. I really hope you all enjoy your auction items ... it is a great thing you have done by bidding on these and donating to a much needed fund.

Let me know ladies when your Alphabet letters arrive in the mail.

Happy Tangling ... Jane x

New Pattern "Calipo"

2011-02-04T21:46:00.000+11:00

Sometimes it is good to have a slow day ... I haven't been doing much at all but I did come up with a new pattern.

So to celebrate February (why not) ... I would like to share with you "Calipo". I haven't had much time to play with it yet but I'm sure it is going to be a lot of fun in my tangles.

Enjoy....Jane x

I've been Quilting

2011-02-03T17:23:00.000+11:00

I did this little Zentangle Tile today while waiting for a friend ... it would make a lovely thankyou card or something like that ... I have really enjoyed playing with borders lately.

But ... I have been quilting ... which is my daytime job really ... you can see over here at my other blog if you like to see what I do.

I have also been doing the Diva's challenges but haven't posted them yet ... why does life get so busy sometimes. I swear someone is taking hours off my days and giving them to someone else.
Happy Tangling for now ... and if you want to post me some pics of your border tangles - feel free as I would love to set up a gallery on my blog.

Cheers
Jane x

Zentangle With Colour

2011-01-30T15:04:00.000+11:00

I love Black & White but I love colour too!
I also have a few different types of coloured pencils as I used to do a lot of drawing in this medium....

Today I have used Derwent Metallic pencils ... a nice sheen. I did two Zentangle Tiles - one I coloured.

What do you think? Have you tried to add some colour?

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x
And thank you to everyone who comments on my blog ...I appreciate the time you take to "talk" to me after looking at my art. Smile:)

Picture Fest of what I have been up to

2011-01-28T17:41:00.001+11:00

Obviously I have been Tangling up a storm as usual ... I can't seem to put that pen down .. can you?

I have been playing with my own patterns and official Zentangle patterns ... in my field journal notebook doing borders and letters ... surprise surprise!

A few full page drawings...

And some one Tangle pattern borders ... these could be very useful - especially for journaling or scrapbooking!

This pattern is a variant I came up with from the Zentangle pattern "Braze" and "Striping"

This one is using my pattern "Tadpegs" very cute I think.

"Knightsbridge" with a little BTL Joose (Sandy Bartholomews pattern)

This one is full of my patterns and some Zentangle patterns..

A few new ones for me in there too!

"Betweed" with my "Tadpegs" ... and if you look closely I have been using a hint of colour ... have you tried the Derwent Graphitint pencils - they are divine ... graphite with pigment ... I will be using these more and more I think.

This one is purely "Striping" - an official Zentangle pattern.

"Knase" also an official Zentangle pattern.

And I have been tidying up sorting my bits into some stackable draw tubs ... very handy with the Dymo tape machine too!

And on Australia Day I went fishing with my husband ... beautiful weather and we caught 3 lovely sized Brown Trout. (Well I supervised as I don't have a fishing licence but I will next time!)

The first trout...

What I get to look at while fishing - lol!

I have a captive audience and can talk about anything I like - isn't that funny.

And no it isn't a Hawthorn supporters beanie that he has on ... he had it years and years ago.

Jet sleeping on the quilty bits (my quilty bits - test bits that I have been playing with on the quilt machine awhile ago now - so very cat useable).

So happy Tangling for now ... have a lovely weekend everyone. Cheers Jane x

Happy Australia Day & Tangles

2011-01-26T02:46:00.000+11:00

The auctions from Toni (of Make it Perfect) have finished. My three raffles raised a total of $865. Thank you to everyone for their generosity in the face of the terrible flooding that has affected Australians, especially those in Queensland.
All bidding monies is paid directly to the Premiers Queensland Flood Aid Appeal fund ... none of the money is sent to those putting up the auctions.

The bidding on my Zentangle inspired Alphabet Letter was quite intense. When it was finished I offered the second highest bidder the option of her paying her bid price and my doing a second letter for her. She accepted, thank you Chris ... here is your beautiful "C" .... the shading is still to be done and highlights added. The photo is not the best ... but taken tonight at 2am with not much light ... It looks way better in person as you will see soon.

I spent a quiet day today and tonight drawing this (Tuesdays are always quiet days for me as I need to be home). Zentangling is always the perfect distraction for me as I can focus on something positive.

On Saturday I held a Zentangle for Quilters class over at Cranberry Crafts in Ulverstone - a small class of five, it was a lot of fun. One of the students really only wanted to see how I do the quilting side of it, didn't really want to draw. By the time we got to the sewing, she really didn't want to stop drawing ... it was great, all students did a wonderful job of their first and second Zentangles ... check them out... beautiful!

The second set. It still amazes me that a class can have exactly the same instruction and come up with something so unique and individual as themselves.

Here they are all together.

I just had to share this with you ... poor Merlin has grown ( the boys are now over two years old) he doesn't really fit in here to sleep anymore ... but he won't give it up.

So cute!

Happy Australia Day to everyone .... it is a day to Celebrate being Australian and what that means to each individual. Hmmm fishing sounds good!

Happy Tangling everyone .... Jane x

Auction Winners

2011-01-25T05:48:00.001+11:00

The Auction for the QLD Flood Appeal ended Monday 24 January 2010

The winners are:

Auction 1 - Zentangle Kit - PETRA $120

Auction 2 - Hand Drawn Zentangle Letter - NANCY $225

Auction 3- Quilt (on Purrfectly Quilted) - MAC $320

What a great auction ... thank you everyone for participating and giving to this worthy cause.

Would the winners please contact my by email with their receipt details when they have made deposit to the QLD Premiers Flood Relief Appeal Fund http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html
Also include your postal details so I can send the item to you as soon as possible.

Thank you so much for being part of this and helping those affected by the flooding in Queensland.

Zentangle Auction Item Drawn & some of my Zentangles

2011-01-20T12:01:00.001+11:00

Well ... a little late but here nevertheless ... I have finished the drawing (A4 size) which is for the QLD Relief Auction...the winning bidder will have their choice of letter drawn into the centre and whether or not they want some colour or gold highlights in the middle border - I am happy with this one and I have used some of my favourite Zentangle patterns.

I have been playing with shades of gray. I really love the way it enhances a Zentangle picture - what do you think?

And my oh my I have loved drawing this one. I have used black and two shades of gray ... this is my current favourite drawing.

Yesterday sitting in the doctors office waiting, waiting, waiting and then needles - oh yucky - but I was very calm and collected when I went in, the Zentangle drawing definately helps (other than everyone in the waiting room looking to see what I am doing - I'm sure they all wished they had a pen and paper - lol!)

And finally .....

Don't forget the QLD Premiers Flood Appeal ... and all the auctions that are taking place through Toni of Make It Perfect

This is my Quilt Auction

This is my Jane Monk Studio Zentangle Drawing - Auction 2
The winning bidder gets to choose the letter I draw in the centre.

This is my Jane Monk Studio Zentangle Kit - Auction 1
A full official Zentangle Kit including DVD

Thank you everyone for your support of this greatly needed appeal....Happy Tangling... and bidding .... Jane x

Fabric Postcard Class

2011-01-16T13:53:00.001+11:00

Yesterday I taught a short class at Cranberry Crafts in Ulverstone ... Fabric Postcards. This is really a techniques class ... but you get to take somthing home that you have made on the day. I must say these ladies all had lots of fun and bring to the class their own set of fantastic ideas and skills. Even I learnt something... a great suggestion was to use an overlocker to do the edges of the postcards ... cut and stitch at the same time - what a great idea, especially if you are doing a whole bunch of them like for Christmas cards etc.
Thanks girls for a wonderful day.

I thought I was going to be late as the back highway I take to get there was closed and it was 10km back to the next connecting road ... my dear husband got me there on time - glad he drives me sometimes.

These are a small sample of my own postcards ... I have been having fun combining Zentangle onto the fabric ... there are three here.

We started our class doing some tea dying - a great start and gives people some time to settle down and put their minds in gear for the class. I know it helps me to do something short and fun to start a class.

This is one of my Zentangle inspired fabric postcards. I have used William Morris as my inspiration for these leafy beauties ... I could wax lyrical about his work ... but I won't, suffice to say I love his style and Michelle Hill for introducing it to the quilting world.

This is another of my Zentangle style postcards ... I am really liking this a lot.

I use just normal fabric (quilters muslin here that I have tea dyed) and a Sakura Pigma Micron pen in 01 size... black and brown (I sell them on my web site http://janemonkstudio.com if you are interested).

Okay that was my day yesterday. I have been amazed at the bidding on the items I am auctioning and thank you all for your comments and bids ... it is wonderful that Toni from Make It Perfect has attracted so many different auctions - we have a great choice of items to bid on and I think the master list is up tonight ... check out her blog for more information. Make It Perfect

By the way, I am nearly finished the Zentangle inspired letter that I am auctioning ... I only have to add the winning bidders letter and do some shading ... so will post a pic of this tomorrow.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Jane Monk Studio Queensland Flood Appeal Auction

2011-01-13T20:59:00.004+11:00

I am just overwhelmed by the footage that we are seeing coming in from Queensland, I have friends and family there (they are okay) and everyone is affected by the devestation and loss occurring at the moment. I heard about Toni from Make It Perfect and how she was organising an auction in blogland and I wanted to join in to help as much as I could. If you click on the pink umbrella button below you'll be taken to her site where, on Sunday, there will be a complete list of everyone who has an auction running.

I have created two Auction Items on my Jane Monk Studio blog - Auction 1 - Zentangle Kit and Auction 2 - Illuminated Letter hand drawn by me. You can also see these Auction tabs at the top of this blog. I am also auctioning a completed quilt on my blog Purrfectly Quilted. (NOTE: You must include your email with your bid otherwise I can't get back to you)

To Bid you will need to click on the Auction you are interested in bidding on and leave a comment (DON'T DO IT HERE) but on the page for the item you’re interested in. The auction will finish on Monday 24th January. If you are the winning bidder I will send you an email. To pay just go to the Premiere’s Flood Relief Appeal donate the amount and send me an email copy of your receipt together with your address and I will post the item to you. Auction item 1 is only open to Australian residents, however, Auction item 2 is open to International bidders as well. So start bidding and let's show those in Queensland how much we feel their plight and want to help. Thank you so much to everyone for your generosity.

Auction Item 1 ... An Official Zentangle Kit

Auction Item 2 - An Original Hand Drawn Letter in my Zentangle style - you get to choose what letter you want in the centre at the end of the auction.

NOTE: This item is open to both Australian and International Bidders - it is easy to post and I am happy to pay the postage on this to an International address if needed.

Thank you so much to everyone for participating in this ... it is a big part of Australian culture to pull together in times of difficulty - so thank you once again. Jane x

Tangling in Tasmania Today

2011-01-13T02:17:00.001+11:00

Now look at all those T's - lol!

I am sitting here at 2.10am - once again because I cannot sleep. I am glad this doesn't happen every night.

So I thought I would share some of the tangles that I have created over the past few days.

These two are not shaded ... can you see my pattern Kitties in there ... they make me smile every time I see them sticking their little heads up.

Creating patterns ... you may recognise the Swirly Blossom pattern that I use in my Decorated Alphabets ... very simple to do and very effective as a repetitive pattern.

Here is a close up.

My next Zentangle for Quilters class is at Cranberry Crafts in Ulverstone on Saturday the 22nd January ... I can't wait but this Saturday I am teaching my Fabric Postcard techniques class ... I did a little tangling for this too ....

Here it is ... Postcards are fun to make and the fabric ones are very tactile ... I love the feel of the stitching on the fabric ... can you tell I am a quilter!

Okay so I'm off the computer soon, draw a couple of tangles perhaps that might be relaxing enough for me to go back to sleep.... Happy Zentangling ZZzzzzzz
Jane x

Welcome to the New Year

2011-01-10T20:30:00.001+11:00

I hope you have all had a great break over Christmas and the New Year ... I had the pleasure of spending a week up at the highland lakes region of Tasmania ... it snowed the day after Boxing Day and we awoke to a white covering all over the camp site .. it was beautiful. A few days later we had very hot weather, we caught quite a few Brown Trout and enjoyed some lovely meals. I also relaxed and enjoyed the quietness of this beautiful region of Tasmania. I Tangled a bit, well actually, a lot!

See this beautiful decorated letter Q ... I have used coloured ink and Derwent Inktense pencils to add colour. I have nearly finished this whole alphabet ... and have enjoyed it immensely.

On Saturday just gone I taught a One Day Zentangle Workshop in Hobart (Tasmania). Just a small group of three, but it was a lot of fun and they created quite a few Zentangles.

Everyone had the same instruction and it is amazing how different their tangles turned out ....

Then we shaded them - wow what a difference.
It is amazing to see everyone has a different style and approach.

A second tile almost completed

This is one of the decorated alphabets that we created. Mica who is a high school art teacher, drew this fantastic M and used the basic tangles that I had taught them in the morning. When I teach the decorated alphabets we talk about flowing design through the background of the work, you can see here that Mica has used this in his creation - beautiful.

I thought we had lost him for awhile ... he was in the Zen!

So, welcome to 2011 and another year of fantastic tangling ... I have a number of workshops coming up and more to come.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T16:47:00.000+11:00

I would like to thank you all for your support over the past year, both customers and friends alike. This year has seen some tough times for me but some great times too!

I would like to wish you all a very Merry and Happy Christmas and a very Safe New Year - don't make too many resolutions.

I will be back sharing my blogging journey with you all again in the New Year.

Hugs
Jane x

An Illuminated Zentangle Letter & Merry Christmas to you all

2010-12-20T17:08:00.001+11:00

This is Pamela's "P"

A Zentangle Inspired Illuminated Letter P hand drawn by Jane Monk of Jane Monk Studio....

I hope you like it Pamela.

A big thankyou to everyone who participated in this giveaway .... who knows I may have another one early next year sometime.

I would also like to say thankyou to all the people who visit my blog and leave me lovely comments ... it gives me the warm fuzzies - thankyou.

Also a very happy Christmas to those who celebrate at this time of year, keep safe and I will be back in the New Year to share more of my Zentangle journey with you all.

Hugs Jane xx

The WInner Is....

2010-12-20T06:04:00.000+11:00

PAMELA GILFOYLE .... well done Pamela ... you have won the A4 sized Zentangle inspired Illuminated Letter .... believe it or not you were lucky number 13 drawn from the Random.org number generator after I had listed everyone into an Excel spreadsheet.

Do you want a P or something else? Send me an email and I will get going on finishing it off for you.

Thank you everyone who participated in this little giveaway of mine ... I hope you continue to come back and check out my blog and frequent my little online shop ...

Happy Christmas Holidays to you all .... Jane x

100th Follower Winner

2010-12-19T10:58:00.001+11:00

Awhile ago I decided to do a surprise gift for the 100th Follower ... nobody knew about it ... until the day they joined up to follow my blog ... I am happy to say that the recipient was most surprised and her name began with the letter A ...

I have finished her gift now ... it is an A5 sized Zentangle Styled Illuminated Letter ... I really really hope she likes it ... I do and it will be sad for it to go to a new home - lol!

Okay ... remember tomorrow is the draw for my big Giveaway ... the A4 sized Zentangle Styled Illuminated Letter ... I only have to draw the letter in ... see my last post.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend ... Happy tangling ... Jane x

This Could Be Yours

2010-12-14T10:24:00.000+11:00

This is the Illuminated Letter I will be giving away on the 20th December 2010. I have finished the background borders and now all I will have to do it put in YOUR INITIAL! Whose will it be ......?

If you want to go in the draw you need to do the following:

1. Become a Follower of this blog.
2. Visit my web site www.janemonkstudio.com and add your email address for my Newsletter updates (these will not be very often ... every month or so)
3. Put a comment on your blog or facebook and leave me a comment here to let me know.

That's it ... pretty easy way to win your own personalised A4 sized Illuminated Zentangle Letter hand drawn by me - Jane Monk. They look fantastic framed with a matboard around. I can put any letter you want .. you might want to gift it to someone special ... or keep it for yourself.

And I know this pic is blurry (sorry) but I wanted to show you the drawing board my husband made me ... It is really simple with a very smooth piece of whiteboard, a lip at the bottom and presto a cheap drawing board for under $10...beats paying over $400 for a drafting board (oh I would really like one of those but maybe down the track some more years yet!)

Happy Tangling Everyone .... It's been lovely to hear from you all that have been following this Zentangle journey of mine ... Jane x

Something Special to say thankyou.

2010-12-12T11:21:00.000+11:00

Rayene's comment on my last post got me thinking ... She said the letter R would look better on my illuminated letter. Now you all know I have just started my own web site where I sell Zentangle products and promote my workshops in both Zentangle, Quilting and other Textile art. So ... I have decided that I would have a "give away" ... all you have to do is
1. visit my web site http://janemonkstudio.com ,
2. sign up for my email notices and then (if you already have done this ... move onto step 3.)
3. post on your blog that you have done this. (if you are blogless ... leave me a comment here or put it on your Facebook)
4. Leave me a comment that you have done this.
5. You will also get an extra chance if you sign up to follow this blog.

What you will have a chance of winning is ... an A4 sized Illuminated letter hand drawn by yours truly ... Any letter you choose ... so you will have to give me time to draw it before posting. These things can take me anywhere between 6 to 10 hours of drawing time.

Who knows I might even draw two!

Draw will be done on 20th December 2010 - by 10am Tasmanian time (this is a special date for me because it is when I met my husband - sweet I know!)

Introducing the Letter "J"

2010-12-11T12:02:00.001+11:00

The Letter "J" is a very difficult letter to make look nice ... there are so many ways you can draw it but it still seems to be restricted - know what I mean?

Anyway .. this is my letter J, with 44 Zentangle patterns around the outside border. The inside border is my own pattern/design - not published yet, and of course I have used my Tadpegs pattern inside the J.

The Illuminated letter setting (that is the way the page is set out) is from William Morris Designs. I like how he made the outside borders different widths ... I will have to check out my Fibonacci numbers to see if this fits within it ... it does look pretty good.

I have shaded only some of the Zentangle patterns ... the difference is quite remarkable I think.

Enjoy!

By the way ... I am posting over at my quilting blog - http://purrfectlyquilted.blogspot.com about the Zentangle for Quilters worskhop at Esmes last weekend - it was a blast.

Jane x

Launching Jane Monk Studio Web Store

2010-12-07T10:26:00.001+11:00

Welcome to my new online web store www.janemonkstudio.com

Where you can buy Zentangle® and other supplies, buy a quilt, book a Workshop, check out the Galleries to see Jane's Tangle patterns, art and quilts.

I have been working on this for quite awhile now and would like to welcome you all to come see my new store, check out my workshops, purchase Zentangle and other goodies. It is early days yet and there will be more to come.

I would like to say a very big thank you to Christine from Gecko Gully who has built both of my web sites .... held my hand through all the technical jargon and requirements that, quite honestly, are beyond me most of the time.

So if you have any feedback, questions or queries feel free to email me ... just go to the contact page for details.

Hugs and thank you for your support here on my blog as well ... I will still be updating my blogs frequently.

New Pattern - Kitty

2010-12-03T11:06:00.000+11:00

Here is a little pattern for you .... watching my cats has inspired me to make this Zentangle Pattern which I have called "Kitty"

Don't you just love the little ears ... you can put faces in or not ... this pattern makes me smile everytime I look at it.

Enjoy!

Zentangle for Quilters Workshop

2010-11-27T10:44:00.001+11:00

If you want to learn how to do this .... I am having a workshop at Esmes on the 4 December (YES that is only one week away) .... you will need to contact Lillian at Esmes(click on the link to get to her store) to make a booking (and I am not sure how many - if any - spaces are left ... give her a call.

I will also be doing this workshop "Zentangle for Quilters" at Cranberry Crafts in January 2011 and Michelle's Sewing Basket in April 2011.

If you are not a sewer, contact me to make a booking for a straight Zentangle class ... you only need five people and I can come to you in Tasmania. Remember there are only THREE Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZT's) in the whole of Australia, and I am the only CZT in Tasmania ... book a class today, you won't regret it!

Jet wants to come too, he loves Zentangle ... can you tell? Now how can I make a kitty Zentangle pattern ... hmmm perhaps the nose

Okay happy Tangling for now ... and have a good weekend....Jane x

New Pattern - Trimonds

2010-11-23T06:43:00.000+11:00

Here is a new pattern ... you can see that shading makes all the difference ... you can shade those little segments in any way and you will get a different look - very 3Dimensional.

I have called this pattern "Trimonds" because it is diamonds made into triangles.

I hope you all like it.

Happy Tangling for now ... Jane x

Two New Patterns from Jane Monk Studio - TadPegs & Slates

2010-11-15T12:05:00.001+11:00

I have drawn up some new patterns.

I saw a photograph of some Japanese Roof Tiles and loved how they nested together. So I bring you "Slates"

I have been using this little pattern for awhile now ... I really love how it looks. It reminds me of frogs eggs ... so tadpoles, hence the name "TadPegs"

I hope you enjoy these two patterns ... I couldn't keep them to myself any longer ... too exciting to share things!

Enjoy .... Jane x

New Tangle? Japanese Roof Tile and Header Drawings

2010-11-15T04:19:00.000+11:00

I've been trying to come up with a header for my Zentangle blog etc ... this one is too busy and I wasn't happy with all the components ... still nice, but not quite right!

Some Zentangles done in my notebook awhile ago

Some more Zentangles ... I love the one on the right ... I call it Japanese roof pattern as I saw a photo of a Japanese roof and it looked sort of like rounded tiles ... don't know if this has been made into a Zentangle pattern yet ... maybe I should "publish" it.

My hand is getting better ... still gets sore when I use it for any amount of time, so lots of contemplation going on - lol! I have to get back to the quilting machine today.

Happy Zentangling everyone ... Jane x

City Divas

2010-11-11T11:46:00.000+11:00

I though you might like to see my drawing "City Divas" ... can you see which ones are the "Divas"?. I haven't got to the shading on this one yet.

I have sprained my wrist and drawing and quilting is slow, actually stopped at the moment until my wrist heals .. hopefully not too long.

Enjoy and keep on Tangling ... Jane x