Diva Challenge #23: String Theory

I am the diva weekly Zentangle challenge for this week was called "String Theory". A string was provided and we just needed to fill it in with our tangles. This was what I came up with. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Dream - Faces (#6)

This drawing was one of my earlier pieces (drawn back in March). Inspired by an image I found on Google. At this point I was really just exploring colors and how the background interacts with the word. The Dream series is being done to go along with a unit on graffiti art I'm doing with my 8th grade students. I decided I should do the unit right along with them. I am amazed by how inspired they are to do these projects.

Diva Challenge #22

Weekly Zentangle challenge from I am the Diva - "A Little Help From My Friends". My son did the string for me, then I filled in the rest. I didn't plan on making this one a Dream drawing, but I love doing those so much, that is what it turned into.

Diva Challenge #21... OOF

A couple of weekends ago I found this really cool site called I am the diva. The site owner posts weekly Zentangle challenges. Just what I needed to get my creative juices flowing again. I did this one for last week's challenge, but then the blogger went down and I couldn't post it before the deadline. I thought I would post it to the blog anyway.

Dream Wildstyle

My latest attempt at graffiti style art. This one was done on smooth bristol paper with markers. This was my first attempt at wildstyle; still pretty simple but I am really learning a lot while doing these. Finally got a new scanner, so I'll be posting more photos soon. I have several finished pieces I need to scan.

More Graffiti Art

My second attempt at graffiti art. Originally started this for a middle school art project... I am now obsessed with creating "Word Art". I am sticking with the word DREAM because that is what I want my middle school students to do. I have realized it to be my own path of creative discovery. I did this one with only pencil... big mistake! I like using brush pens and markers much more. Ended up being kind of a disco theme, although that was not my intention.

This next one was my 3rd attempt for this series. I wanted to get the Hollywood sign look mixed with graffiti. I don't care too much for it, except for the palm tree. Live and learn... each drawing is a step in a new direction. Also, this was my first attempt using markers.

My fourth attempt at graffiti art. Inspired by Tim Burton (I guess you could call this fan art). I was pretty happy with the finished product at the time, but feel I have surpassed that now, which is exciting for me because it has been less than a month.

This is my fifth attempt and the first one I felt really happy with. I like everything about this one. The colors work, my lettering is getting better, and I'm getting more comfortable using markers.

I have done several more since this one (some good, some not). Will be posting those just as soon as I get the scanner hooked up and working on the new computer.

Graffiti Art

This is my first post in a really long time! I never seem to have the time for the things I want to do. Anywho... I started working on a graffiti lesson for my 8th grade students. Obviously, we will not be doing real graffiti with spray paint on walls, but I love the look of this type of artwork. The idea is for students to develop their own style with the purpose of getting people to notice their work over the artwork of others. I started by creating an example using the word DREAM. I enjoyed doing this one so much I am going to continue working them.

It's Been a Long, Long Time!!

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I have posted to my blog!! I have made it through my first year as an art teacher. They say they first year is the hardest, so I am looking forward to an easier 2nd year. As I think ahead to next year, I am looking at my own short-falls this year. Some of my drawing skills are lacking. I have always struggled with bodies. Heads, I can do... bodies, not so much! So, this summer (along with working up new lessons) I am setting a challenge for myself to start drawing bodies. I have not decided on a time frame yet. As much as I'd like to do 1 a day, that does not seem realistic to me. I'll shoot for 1 a week (minimum) and see what happens. I will be posting some student work as well.

Zentangle, Zentangle, and more Zentangle

I have been looking for a teaching job this summer, so I have been working on lesson plans. I decided to put together several Zentangle lessons, since I enjoy doing them so much. Following are the samples I did up to go along with each lesson.

This first one was to create a unique shape to hold the tangles.


This next one was to find an art history image that would be easily recognized and draw tangles in the negative space.



This last one was a Mandala project.

Random Works

I have been doing quite a bit of drawing as of late. I thought it would be a good idea to actually post them.

This one was done with a cheap ink pen and some colored pencils. This is one of my favorites, and was a lot of fun to do.

A random abstract drawing using the same cheap ink pen and some green pen for color. Again, very fun to do. I find these very relaxing to draw.

Another random abstract with patterns.

Another random abstract drawing.

I got another pen and finished this one (from an earlier post).

This time with pen and colored pencil.

Pen and ink with watercolor. Caricature of William H. Macy.

Abstract Gel Pen Drawing

I've been taking my sketchbook with me when I am subbing and it has proven very helpful in allowing me time to actual create some art. I finished this one a couple of days ago. I'm not sure how much I like the end results of these, but I find it very therapeutic.

Cells - Ink Pen

This was done with an ink pen, which ran out before I finished it. I guess this will have to be called "done". The ghost image in the white area is the next page in my sketchbook showing through, it's not part of this drawing.