Instructed to do a monotangle on this gorgeous marbled tile, I chose ABUNDIES given the abundance of ZenAgain 2016.

It’s so good to be ZEN. Again.

Happy Monday on this cold day in the suburbs of Philly! I’ve been very not-zen in recent months, but I had the incredible opportunity to attend ZenAgain, a reunion and workshop with over 200 CZTs from around the globe. Hosted by Rick, Maria, Molly, Martha, and the rest of the amazing Zentangle crew, these two and a half days were full of inspiration, challenge, and plenty of zen. I wish I had the inspiration to write more detail, but for now suffice it to say I met some incredible people, created some amazing pieces (by my own standards), learned some new techniques, and found my zen (again). We learned FOUR new tangles, experienced a guided meditation with Molly, got some amazing gifts from Sakura and General, and so much more.

Here are SOME of the pieces I created during the workshop. There were others including a (real) marble tile, more gilded pieces (YES, Maria taught us a quick and easy way to do this and I might be addicted), and tiles we tangled using reticula and fragments to contribute to a dictionary of sorts that Maria is working on.

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Now, I’m pushing myself to participate in the I am the Diva challenge so I can KEEP my Zen on…and I’m delighted that the challenge this week involves reticula and fragments, an approach I’m growing more and more fond of with each effort. Rotating, mirroring, so many options for shading… the possibilities are endless.

Reticula A2 with Fragment P4. Endless possibilities, and this is just the simple repetitive approach.

Reticula A2 with Fragment P4. Endless possibilities, and this is just the simple repetitive approach.

For my reticula I chose A2 – Kind of a diagonal Jonqual-style grid. I filled with with fragment P4 because I thought it would be interesting to see how the folds worked, kind of like an accordion. I love the outcome – even with no rotation or mirroring, add in the shading and it feels very dimensionally complex. If you haven’t played with this concept yet, I encourage you to try. If you want the full experience, go ahead and buy the book – Zentangle Primer v. 1. I promise it’s worth the money (I do not get any compensation for sharing this with you, by the way) for the whole thing, but my favorite part is the reticula and fragments concept. So much fun to play with.

 

Added: My kitten (Dani) decided this ING reticula and made-up fragment (incomplete, sans shading, but somehow she ended up framing it for me) deserved a placement on this blog since she’s so very cute. So, here it is:

Dani's Tangle

Dani and her ING reticula and made-up fragment.

 

 

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19 Responses to It’s so good to be ZEN. Again.

  1. Gel Mullen November 21, 2016 at 4:25 pm #

    I love it! Go, beautiful zen goodness diva, Cari!

    • Cari Sultanik November 21, 2016 at 4:26 pm #

      Awwww thanks so much, love! <3

  2. ria matheussen November 21, 2016 at 6:18 pm #

    Nice result and thank you for the information about the Zen Again, I wish I could be there but it is so far away… You really are a lucky one to had the possibility of being there!

  3. Pat Mathes November 22, 2016 at 8:30 am #

    Lucky you to attend ZenAgain. Glad it renourished you. Your tiles are all great.

  4. Anja November 22, 2016 at 8:44 am #

    Wonderful composition! Love it!

  5. 1 Art Lady Kate Tangles November 22, 2016 at 9:57 am #

    Wow! Looks like you really got your Zen on. Lovely set of tiles from the retreat and I really like your diva challenge tile. Beautiful!

  6. Carmela Claessens-Soro November 22, 2016 at 10:41 am #

    Very beautiful tiles.

  7. Diana Schreurd CZT November 22, 2016 at 11:10 am #

    Great Reticula and Fragment. Wish I could have been at zenagain too. Unfortunate it is to far away from where I live. But I enjoyed all the pictures you peeps shared.

  8. Lynn Jarrett November 22, 2016 at 5:27 pm #

    I like your new tiles. I look forward to seeing the stepouts for them.

  9. Gudrun S. November 23, 2016 at 7:29 am #

    wonderful tiles 🙂

  10. Jean Chaney November 23, 2016 at 4:27 pm #

    I know many of us wish we could have joined you for this event. The tiles you created are luscious and the Diva challenge tile is amazing!

  11. Deanne B November 23, 2016 at 10:28 pm #

    First I have to say… Dani is sooooooo cute! My gray tabby/Siamese Lilu insists on helping me draw as well! They are terrific company.

    I love your reticula/ fragment tile. Excellent shading. And absolutely love your tiles from ZenAgain! What an amazing experience that must have been!

    • Cari Sultanik November 23, 2016 at 11:02 pm #

      Thank you! I love my feline helpers 🙂

  12. Annemarie November 24, 2016 at 2:19 am #

    I like all you show us here and if I have to pick a favorite it will be ……. of course the kitten!!!!

    • Cari Sultanik November 24, 2016 at 7:09 am #

      She’s definitely the best thing on the page!

  13. Sue Sharp CZT12 November 24, 2016 at 8:30 pm #

    Wonderful tile! I got the Jonqual style grid at ZenAgain on one of those cards they handed out and found it quite difficult to put the fragments in…. you have done a masterful job here! Love it!

    • Cari Sultanik November 24, 2016 at 9:10 pm #

      Aw thanks, Sue! It’s a tough one for sure.

  14. Annette P. (aka LonettA) November 27, 2016 at 6:03 am #

    Wonderful an very inspiring post! I really like your lovely Diva challenge tile.