The Florida Arts Tour - Stop #11

As promised, here is a little virtual tour of this past weekend's events.  There is quite a bit to take in, so the photos will do most of the talking.  They are listed in order of what you would have seen if you went on the tour and walked up to our home.  Enjoy!

One of the yard signs stood by our mailbox.

Our welcome sign ~

I was able to invite guest artists to display and sell their work.  This was an 'A' List show!

Our front door

 We set up a table in the entry way, just inside the front door, for guests to sign in.  My fabulous friends took turns hostessing.  Karen had the first shift ~

The piano room is to the left of where Karen is sitting ~

 A closer look at the tree ~

To Karen's right is the staircase ~

 Our guests walked passed the staircase into the dining room.

The table was set with our Advent wreath in the center.

My Christmas village is set up in the dining room.

 Through the dining room is the kitchen and just to the right is my studio/office.

This is the view to the left and into the family room.

Rounding the corner from the kitchen and into my studio space~

Before I claimed this room, it was a place where our kids grew up playing, doing homework, and working on the computer.  I like its location in the house because I am very much in the middle of the family activity.  The little table to the left was mine as a little girl and my grandchildren sit at it now and do their important work.

This is the wall to the right in the photo above ~

 See the tangled map?  It hangs in a place of honor and is surrounded by things that are dear to me.

This is my corner desk where I do my writing.  The wall in the photo above is to the left in this photo.

My chair is in a cozy spot.  I can look out the window, out over the porch to the pool and back yard.  My bag from zenAgain hangs over my chair.  Special photos and notes and mementos frame my space.   Can you see the tangles around the windows?  When a search for just the right curtains turned up empty, I tangled a border around the windows instead :)

This is a desk I created with four pieces of IKEA furniture.  I needed a narrow desk with storage and room for two to work at when needed.  I love it.  This is where I photograph my tiles for posts and one of the places in my house where I like to tangle.

This door leads to the back porch and carport.  Instead of a garage, our home has a large covered area were we park the cars.  It is were we set up tables and chairs and displays of our art work to sell. 

I made this wreath for the door - will explain that in a future post - isn't that fun?!

Distinguished guests Robin Tucker, CZT, Lin Helfer, Charlene Peterson, and Lynn Gotham...

CZTs Joan Delony and Robin Tucker.
This is a gift that Joan brought, I had to take a photo of her beautiful wrapping...

On the porch, Joanne Fink (what an honor to have her here) set up an impromptu class on coloring with Koi watercolor markers...

Brian Crimmins, CZT came just in time for the class.  Look at those eager students!

Yet another surprise was a visit from Su D'Alessio. She brought one of her 'pots in progress' and demonstrated her technique for decorating her pottery.  If you are anywhere near the area on Saturday, December 10, her show begins at 9 am.  Details can be found on the right side of this blog page.  Click the photo for the Pottery Show.

My studio tour ran for two days and at the end of the first day, I realized that I didn't take enough pictures of my visitors or friends.  Tracey Lyon Nicholson, CZT was here and her set up was beautiful.  My friends Kelley, Cathy, Julianne, Kathy, and Stephannie are missing from photos, but not from my grateful heart.

On the second day, I tried to be more conscientious...

Here is the most special guest of all - my mother, Nancy Anater.  My mother is a very accomplished artist.  We had prints of many of her paintings on display as well as a full rack of note cards that feature her art work.

 Dorian Eng, CZT (my Wing Woman from zenAgain) joined us on Sunday.  Around the table we are:  Me, Dorian, Sindy P, CZT, Joanne, and Nancy.  Joanne gave us a preview of her newest book, due out next spring.

 My dear friend Karen, always ready with a helping hand.

 The 'gang' again in front of some of the art work on display - my mother's to the left and Sindy's to the right.  Joanne's tables were just to the right.

My daughter Nancy and son Louie poured the wine at day's end :)

I managed a few photographs of some of the pieces I finished for the show.  I painted and then added tangles to wooden ornaments and displayed them on this tree.

 Each one had its own little personality.

 I found some pretty flowered frames and tangled a few tiles to fit with the design of the frame.

 And one with Ann ~

 I do hope you enjoyed your 'arm chair' tour of my home and my creative space.  Now you can picture where I work, tangle, and enjoy the best of company.

In the end, being part of the tour was even more of a blessing than I had hoped it would be and I have my husband, my family, and my friends to thank for that.

Thank you, too!

Headed "Off the Beaten Path"

I really am headed off the beaten path, but it is actually a very unique art show by that name ~

An invitation was extended to me through the Casselberry Art House to participate in this (to quote the tour booklet) "free, self-guiding tour through Central Florida to professional artists' studios and cultural institutions."

Click here to read all about the program and the participating artists and galleries.

You will see that there are three counties listed - you can find me under Seminole County. - tour stop #11.

As my husband Lou said, agreeing to do this was very much "the next step" on this fabulous tangled journey.
I do get butterflies in my stomach when I think of what I signed up for, but at the same time, it is very exciting to be included in such a landmark event.

To quell those natural nerves, I made a list of positives as I see them:

I will be able to ~

*introduce Zentangle® to people who may not have otherwise known about it
*meet art enthusiasts from all over Central Florida
*get motivated to finish projects, get prints made of others, and spend more time tangling as I prepare my work to show and sell
*invite my artist friends to participate and sell their artwork at my tour stop
*visit and talk about art related topics for two whole days
*invite my students to come to see my studio
*bask in the love of my family and friends who have volunteered to help me

Doesn't that sound like an early Christmas treat?!

I promise to take lots of pictures and post about the weekend.  I will photograph a virtual tour, so you will feel as though you were here too.

If you live near enough to come, please consider this your invitation to do so.
I would love to see you.

In the meantime, I appreciate your support each and every time you check in with me here :)

Tickled To Tangle Art Show - More Details...

As we all planned for the exhibit, there were many details to attend to, including how to present information about ourselves (the contributing artists).

In lieu of individual business cards, I decided to design a brochure.  The group of us briefly discussed what to include - a photo and an artist statement was agreed upon.
While most of us had a statement prepared, for others this was a new adventure.

Unlike a "bio", an artist statement usually concentrates on stating simply what moves you as an artist.  For me, as a wife and mother, it was a challenge to push passed the obvious loving influences and inspirations in my life and narrow my focus specifically to my art.

With pencil in hand, I filled four pages before filtering my statement down to just four sentences.   I highly recommend the process if you have never had occasion to write one.

Below are the artist statements (listed alphabetically) from the nine of us in the show.  You will find quite a variety in our approaches.  Use them as inspiration, as a starting point to write your own, or if you have one already - perhaps to revisit it.

Adele Bruno, CZT

I delight in detail and the pleasing simplicity of putting pen to paper.  The simple beauty of patterns intrigue me, feed my creative nature, and provide a source of fulfilling artistic expression.  As a CZT, I have been incredibly blessed to spread the joy of Zentangle to hundreds of my students, many of whom I have taught here at the Art House.  Through my blog's audience, I fully appreciate the universal appeal of this fascinating art form.  

Kathry Crane-Thielen, CZT

I have been involved in the Decorative Arts since the early 80's.  In 1990, I became a Certified Teacher of Ann Kingsaln, M.D.A., Omaha, NE.  In the years following I have taught from my studio, travel taught classes and invited many accomplished Decorative Artists in the United States to teach in my studio.  Now in retirement as an RN, I am living my dream to teach both art and Zentangle.  I received my Certified Zentangle Teacher certification in June 2014, and I thank Adele Bruno, CZT for introducing me to this fascinating art form.

Su D'Alessio

My first memories as a child are of drawing and doodling.  The lines flow out of my head with no pre-planning and I never know what the final piece of art will look like until it is done.  I began working in clay when I turned sixty, and loved the medium, but did not like the results of glazing.  I realized that I could use the surface of my white clay pottery as a drawing surface for my designs and doodles.  Each piece that I decorate is one of a kind.  I will not make duplicates...Some shapes and patterns are similar, but will never be mass production identical.

Joan Delony, CZT

The smooth feel, vibrant colors, and various textures of glass excite me.  The patterns of Zentangle delight me.  Through my art, I wish to bring you the same pleasure I derive by combining my passions for tangling and glass work in my creations.  

Marita Eng, CZT and Dorian Eng, CZT

Marita Eng, CZT

My fascination with repetitive patterns comes from years of working with needle and thread.  My career as a mathematics educator lead to experiences with the power and beauty of tying to recreate the beauty of structured designs.  The introduction of Zentangle provided a new avenue to experiment with needle and thread.  My work reflects the slogan "Anything is possible one STITCH at a time."

Dorian Eng, CZT

As a former architect, patterns have always intrigued me, appearing in my art in many forms:  Zentangle, embroidery, and origami.  When working with my hands, I always find peace and fulfillment.  Although I strive to bring beauty to my art, it is really about enjoying the journey.

Tracy Lyon, CZT

I am a doodler from way back, a Zentangle teacher, and a spiritual dabbler who loves fresh flowers, juicy markers, words in all forms, and long chats over cups of tea.  I live near the beach with the love of my life, my grown Zoe-girl, and my little red car.  I believe that peace is possible and the answer to every question is love.

Sindy P, CZT and Bert

Never settling for the ordinary way of doing things, the merging of my photography and Zentangle results in the sometimes subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle effect you see in my canvases.  My Zen Punk series brings my tangling very close to the edge as witnessed in my Skull, Giraffe, and Chameleon prints.  I became a CZT almost three years ago and now passionately share this art form with people from all walks of life.  I especially like working with Parkinson's patients who can show a marked improvement in their writing skills through the practice of Zentangle.

Carolyn Russell, CZT

Art immersion was an ever present entity throughout my life, giving an avenue for creativity and curiosity.  I find inspiration in the outdoors, from the flowers and birds in my garden, to the waves of the ocean.  The dramatic black and white patterns of Zentangle influenced a shift in all of my previous ideas about art.  This non-representational, in based art form, with unique underlying philosophies of health and meditation, drew me into my present day practice.  Patterns emerge to create some thing earthy and ancient, as if by magic.  

I close with loving thanks to Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas for their gift of the Zentangle Method - the shared passion that brings us all together.

Upcoming Tickled to Tangle Art Show

Yes, it is true!

For the month of May, the beautiful Casselberry Art House (pictured on my blog header) will host the "Tickled to Tangle" Art Show - the first of its kind in our area.   

Just yesterday the postcard to promote the event was printed ~

My tangles are pictured on the front and back of the card, with the exception of the fabulous 3-D Jump Polyhedron  by Dorian Eng, CZT.   This was largely due to the fact that photographs of my work were available at the time of printing.  The pieces by my fellow artists are absolutely beautiful and having them all presented in one gallery showing is incredibly exciting.

The show will feature the Zentangle® and Zentangle Inspired Art of CZTs Dorian Eng, Marita Eng, Joan Delony, Tracey Lyon, Sindy P, Carolyn Russel, Kathryn Crane-Thielen, and myself as well as the incomparable tangled pottery of
Su D'Alessio.

Consider this your cordial invitation to attend if you are near enough to come!