26 March 2011

This is where I draw the line ———

Well, this is where I drew the line this week, anyway!

(Click on images to embiggen.)





During this week's challenge*, I found myself seeing lines everywhere...

...and reacting emotionally.

I resented the way lines proscribed human contact with the 'natural world.'

I was acutely aware of:
fences, walls, railings, scaffolding, and electricity overheads.


(If you're not familiar with the weekly art challenge-play many Zentangle artists have been indulging in these last 14 weeks, go here to see some of the fun we've been having!)

I think my first tile reflects my initial emotional reaction to the challenge:

Before shading (I love the play of light in this photograph).
"Walking the line : take one."
It is also reminiscent of the airport runways I've seen during the week.
Do you see them?


After I expressed my feelings of being confined by lines (by tangling both feelings and lines), I thought, "There must be another perspective to explore."  I began seeking out lines within nature and, of course, I found them.  These beautiful palm fronds in my friends' back yard, for example.


I felt my animosity toward lines dissolving when confronted by the overwhelming beauty of 'natural' lines.  Lines don't only confine.  They define, they refine, they outline.  They're integral to beauty all around us.  And so I drew a second tile.

This time I used a curved string (sorry, Laura... I realise I've probably 'crossed a line' with such rebellious behaviour) and tangled one of my rare fifteen minute tiles.  The lines that appeared fluidly from the end of my pen were easy, carefree, happy lines (pardon the anthropomorphism).

I remembered to Breathe and to Relax.  
I stopped to Appreciate during the process and suddenly saw that it was done.

I didn't need to add (or say, or feel) more.
It was sufficient.

"Walking the line : take two."

(Definitely a digression from what I think of as my usual 'style'.)

It seems that, after all, most things can be viewed in more than one way.  And I've found that I have always benefited from personal contemplation of life (the universe, and everything) from different perspectives.


I've looked at lines from both sides now,
From up and down,
And still, somehow,
It's line illusions I recall.
I really don't know lines at all.
"Feather Canyons" (out my window on the flight up to Sydney this week).
I even found some incredibly beautiful, man-made lines (both curved and straight) by week's end.

Sydney Opera House : roof line.


Every time you think you know something 
(especially if you are certain of it)... 
Look again!

19 comments:

  1. beautiful! i love your tangles... i just checked out the diva page... might have to jump in and do some of the "assignments"!

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  2. Love it, Kit. This week's challenge has been a challenge to me, too. I like curves!! I'm getting a bit rebellious...trying to make the lines look curvy. ;)

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  3. Love the tiles, even the cheat one and enjoyed reading about your process - glad you were able to move beyond confined.

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  4. Kit, I really enjoy your posts! You words always make me smile and/or laugh too. I love the first picture with the two tiles and sunlight coming through in glorious lines-beautiful! Love both of your tiles and all the other pictures too. You are talented with the camera as well as the pen!

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  5. This was such an outstanding post. Thought provoking and beautiful with the drawings and photography. That first one of the drawings in a naturally tangled setting is my favorite. You have a gift for sharing.

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  6. I got wrapped up in the post and forgot to say this: both of your drawings are excellent too!

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  7. wow. what can i say? i just love your work.

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  8. Kit you have a way with Lines (and strings) and a beautiful way with words.........

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  9. I have to agree with Sue, "Kit, I really enjoy your posts! Your words always make me smile." and I need they make me ponder. I even like the tile with just the beginnings of your 'walking the line:take 1' Best to you as always!

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  10. Love your post.. thoughts.. and tangles.. have to agree that you always make me smile and think..lol
    Have a lovely weekend..

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  11. This is a great post and I love your tangle design....inspired by life. Wonderful!

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  12. Outstanding tanglishness words of wisdom ;')

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  13. Hi Kit, I have learnt that when I see a new post from you I head to the kitchen make a cup of tea, get comfortable, take the time, breathe and enjoy.....just like a zentangle ceremony! Love your tiles and the entertainment.

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  14. Beautiful tiles and post. I like your approach of the song,lines instead of clouds fit in so well. It makes me look at lines differently now. In general Zentangle make me see things in a different way, seeing tangles everywhere,even in things i have never cared to look at ,like stairs, fences... i love how you turned to natural lines.
    Jeannine

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  15. Beautiful tiles and post. I like your approach of the song,lines instead of clouds fit in so well. It makes me look at lines differently now. In general Zentangle make me see things in a different way, seeing tangles everywhere,even in things i have never cared to look at ,like stairs, fences... i love how you turned to natural lines.
    Jeannine

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  16. Thank you everyone for such great feedback! You do realise you're all just encouraging me to keep on writing don't you? =)

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  17. Both tiles are fabulous! I am drawn to your style of pattern-play. Lovely.

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  18. Another great post and art work, Kit. You're a gem :)

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