Diva Challenge 156 & a Spring Garden

February has past. We are beginning March. Deadlines come. Deadlines go. It is how we accept and work with the challenges that come our way. Will you breathe into it? Be present with it? or will you fight it? That thought came to me as I was walking last Sunday, after my class in Toronto, I remembered a prayer we said for grace in our home. It goes like this:
"Be present at our table lord, be here, and everywhere adored. Thy mercies bless, and grant that we, may feast in paradise with thee."
While I recognize there are a number of theologically implications in this prayer, it was always a very reassuring and gratitude filled prayer. There was hope. As I walked I thought of how I would work with this prayer today, to meet a more spiritually diverse vision. It came out like this.
"Be present at our table God. Be here, and everywhere adored. Gifts have blessed, and given me, abundance, hope and sanctity."
My feeling and thoughts were that it is a gift to be in the world; a gift to just be present with one another; to relish in that joyful feeling, and to know that within life, I am very blessed to be. In a sense it is a reminder to be grateful for each moment. By being grateful, I can be comfortable knowing that the future is coming, and it too will be filled with blessings.

So here my response to the Diva Challenge 156; a crooked grid. Be with the grid. work with it.

Zentangle Wavy Grid 1

Fengle Curvy Grid

I have also added a Spring Garden. Okay, a Zentangle Organic Garden. Some fun I am having with organic shapes and watercolours.

Enjoy!

I look forward to tangling with the Edmonton crowd, on Sunday, March 9; 10:00 and 12:30pm.
Deb

Challenge #155 & Upcoming Classes

Thank you Laura Harms, for your latest Diva Challenge. This challenge was very well timed, as it coincided with some of my other homework tasks. Laura's challenge of leaving a large white space, provided an area for me to create a Zentangle that spoke to me regarding the philosophy of the therapeutic relationship. Yea. deep, I know. But that is exactly what art and therefore Zentangles does for us. It helps us integrate what we are seeing, feeling and processing cognitively in our world.

The space in the center spoke to me of the space that is between the therapist and the client. The outer patterns are the concerns, worries, thoughts and behaviours that are brought into the counselling relationship, and discussed. The space in the middle is necessary for the client to be heard and understood.

Secondly, I have a few spots this Saturday, Feb. 22;  for Zentangle 101 or A Bit More. email me. deb@kopeschny.ca. If you have attended either class before, you will learn more again - I always change the patterns in the classes to accommodate repeat tanglers.

Also, I have set a date for my next Edmonton class. Sunday, March 9; from 10:00-12noon; and 12:30-2:30 p.m.. I will be sending out more notices, but keep this date in mind for your next class.

Tangle on. deb

Play and Diva Challenge 154

Happy February. It is the middle point of the winter. We have peaked and are going on the way to warmer weather. Not that the cold weather bothers me. I quite enjoy the refreshing cold. I was in Edmonton this past week, and it was a -25'C as  I went to school.  It was a great week of learning, creative play, and student community.

I completed two Zentangle hearts in response to the Diva Challenge. I have also included some of my weeks work.

Valentine's for my Sweetheart.

Join me for a winter retreat inside Next weekend. Zentangle 101 and A bit More classes will happen this coming Saturday, Feb. 22. 10:00 a.m.; and 1:00 p.m. Come learn and expand your skills next week.
Deb

Diva Challenge 153 & a little free creation

Today is Feb. 7, 2014. It has already been an epic week, and I think it will turn into a very memorable month. I don't know how coincidental this weeks Diva challenge is for me, but it came at a time when I am very connected to Vermont. And the Diva Challenge brought in a tangle, "Jailed Johnny" from our fellow Vermont CZT, Sadelle Wiltshire. She lives very close to my parents, who I made a quick trip(to Vermont) to help set-up care for the final stage of life for my parents. Here is my response to the challenge.

I enjoyed the tangle, and was able to build on it very easily. It reminded me of quilting patterns I do. And on that note. Here is a piece I started as a free creative piece at the end of January. I am trying to "allow" myself the freedom and joy to create as I wish, and not feel it is a "waste of time". I am realising that it is and important part of my own self-care; just as Zentangle creation is. I didn't know what to call it, so I named it "Two Houses, Two Trees". Although there is a lot more going. I even coloured it in with marker. Please let me know what it reminds you of.

Cheers. Be good to yourself. You are the only one who will always be there to take care of yourself.
Deb