Weekly Challenge #230 - Guest Blogger Erin Olson, CZT

Weekly Challenge #230: "Let’s all be ZenDivaDala"

Hello Everyone!  I am so excited to have this opportunity to guest blog for the Diva!  Over at my blog, The Bright Owl I host a weekly Zendala challenge called the Zendala Dare.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, a Zendala is a mandala that is filled with tangles.  The word mandala is Sanskrit for “circle”.  A mandala is a form that is completed in the round and is usually but not always symmetrical.  Mandalas can be found in art, religious imagery, architecture, and numerous other places.  

When completing a Zendala there are a few things to keep in mind.  First, and most importantly, do what you feel is right.  You can choose to fill each group of shapes with the same tangle, you can alternate between two, or choose a different one for each shape!  The choice is yours.  Second, remember that the template provided is just a guideline.  If you find that your lines vary slightly from the template, just go with it.  Sometimes this creates the best Zendalas!  Third, as a veteran Zendala artist I know that it can sometimes be difficult to fill the smaller shapes of the template with a grid or border.  Don’t be afraid to break down a tangle and fill your shapes with just one element of that tangle that you find appealing.  

Below you will find template for the Zendala.  Below the picture you will find a link that  will take you to a PDF where you can print the template.  The template is available in 3 sizes.  A square that will fit on a Zentangle tile, a circle that fits on a Zendala tile, and a third size that is appropriate for larger pieces (approx. 6.5 x 6.5 inches).  You can tangle directly on the paper or transfer the template to a tile or art paper using this technique.  

Link to ZenDivaDala template

For my Zendala I chose the tangles Bales, Batter, Bridgen and  Mushnik.  

If you would like to see more Zendala templates or join in my weekly Zendala Dare, stop by my blog at www.thebrightowl.com and take a look!

Erin Koetz Olson is a 911 paramedic and registered nurse living and working in the beautiful wine country of Northern California.  She discovered Zentangle in 2000 while searching the internet for quilling supplies and stumbled upon a CZT’s blog.  Since there were no teachers in her area she decided to travel to Rhode Island and become certified at CZT #7 and has never looked back.  She is author of The Bright Owl blog and host of the Zendala Dare. 

Blog:  www.thebrightowl.com

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/erin_thebrightowl/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bright-Owl/347046905401309?ref=hl

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/thebrightowl/ 

If you have a blog, add the site-specific URL where your tile is posted to the linkey machine below! Don't forget to link back here so that others can join in the fun! (if you don't know how to find this, you can see my half assed tutorial here) Also, please feel free to come back often and visit the links of those people on the linkey machine - don't forget to leave a comment or feedback, everyone loves feedback. ;) 

If you have a blog or host your images on line (like on Flickr or Picassa or Pinterest), add the site-specific URL where your tile is posted to the linkey machine below! Don't forget to link back here so that others can join in the fun! (if you don't know how to find this, you can see my half assed tutorial here) Also, please feel free to come back often and visit the links of those people on the linkey machine - don't forget to leave a comment or feedback, everyone loves feedback. ;)