Finding My Way to a Poem

Inside the Atrium at Moca

Last night I participated in an Open Mic Night

at the amazing Museum of Contemporary Art

here in Virginia Beach

It was a summer celebration of the Arts

with Poetry, Interpretive Dance, Comedy, Guitar Music and Art!

It was a perfect Tuesday Evening.

The tables were covered in

brown wrapping paper

and a bowl full of crayons was provided

(always nurturing the artist within us)

So to calm myself before my poem reading

Yes

I created a small Zendala!

They are truly a part of me now.

My precious friends Jack and Judith

 (taking in all the poetry they heard)

they have been my writing mentors,

my poetry cheerleaders,

my friends in the written world.

How I value their encouragement in my life.

Even their gentle nudges and pushes

to step out there with my writing even more!

Writing is a huge part of my life.

Poetry is an even stronger force.

It is who I am,

It is where I want to express

my truest self,

I am in love with the writing life!

So I decided to share my poem with you today!

I have many Poetry moments here on my blog,

today is even more special

sharing what I read out loud last night.

Finding My Way to a Poem

Life moments come

I choose not to forget

Experiences of where I have been

My pen finds it way to the page

For here ... here on the page

they seek refuge and meaning

They don't often rhyme

my sentences you know

but they have their own

kinda rhythm and flow

I write for myself

and sometimes I share

to kindred hearts like mine

who are willing to hear me

just finding my way to a poem

(this poem was written on Summer Solstice 2013)

I encourage you to step out of your

comfort zone

try something new,

meet new people,

expand your horizons,

for there is a beautiful and artistic world 

out there 

just waiting for YOU to explore!

Donna Lee

Collaboration . . .

My finished Zendala

Heather's finished Zendala

I discovered Heather Cox

through this wonderful internet world of ours.

We participate in a lot of the same projects

and then I discovered her

beautiful Zendala artwork,

I was drawn to her beautiful style

and her presence as an artist.

I then visited her beautiful blog

"Joyfulwise"

and her amazing artwork

can be found here

in her own Etsy shop.

I realized that her style and mine

were quite similar

for creating our Zendalas.
We are always encouraging
each other's work.

I was struck with the thought

of how wonderful it would be

if we collaborated together

on a Zendala.

I reached out to Heather

and she immediately responded

with a lovely

"Yes, let's do this!" 

We decided on a size of 5 x 7

We would each paint 
a background of our own choice
(I chose the new Twinkling H2O's)

and then begin drawing

the Zendala,

then we would mail to each other

and finish the work!
It would then be ours to keep.

Here is my journey . . . 

I was excited when my package arrived from Heather
I was couldn't wait to begin

 Just beginning the process

 So hard to decide where to take it

 It slowly began to evolve for me

how I love the creative process!

I enjoyed the creation of this piece so much

and now I have a keepsake to always remember.

Thank you Heather for saying YES!
Her blog post about this experience
can be found right over here

There have been so many wonderful 

friendships that have come my way in life.

I must say the friends of mine who share 
a love of art

are simply the best!

Try collaborating a piece of your own artwork,
(whatever that might be)

with someone else.

You will gain a new perspective

and have something to treasure for a long time!
I know I sure will.

Creating Zendalas

Using metallic watercolors

Zendala

I have been creating with doodling and Zentangle
for quite some time now,

I am just fascinated with how it all unfolds.

Zentangle is a process of meditative drawing,
usually starting with a small dot in the center
and working outward, one step at a time.
It creates a calmness, a certain patience
and it teaches you to slow down,
be alone with your thoughts
and just let the process unfold.

I was first introduced to creating Zendalas
(a mixture of Zentangle and Mandala art)
from Dion Dior
an incredibly talented artist
who I took a workshop through with 21 Secrets in 2012.
It was called Wisdom Circles.
She is now offering it as a small eCourse
through her website.

Here is a sampling of some of my work through
her guidance and instruction:

A recent work still in progress

 Watercoloring each section!

 Using a metallic watercolor background
then drawing on top of it

 More watercolors then drawn

Circular watercolor background

The example below is completed
on an official Zendala tile,
it was so much fun to create.
I love trying new techniques with Zentangle drawing.

Mr. Owlie!

There are so many different

interpretations of this art form today

(for that is what truly makes it all so unique).
No Zentangle is exactly alike,
 for each of us have our own handwriting style,
drawing techniques and personality.

Just look at Pinterest and you will see that

Zendalas have become quite popular. 

You can check out my personal board here . . . 
there are so many beautiful examples there.

I have fallen in love with this art form

and I encourage you to give it a try.
I will be teaching a class in this technique
 at my next Artful Spirit Workshop
in July!

I look forward to sitting with my pens,

watercolors and blank paper.
I find myself making time for this each day.

Time passes so quickly when I am sitting still

creating my zendalas.

It is a relatively inexpensive art form,

a set of watercolors, some good Micron Pens,

pencils, a compass and ruler,

 good paper, and your intuition . . .  that's it!

It is portable too!

I always carry a little Zendala kit with me,
for I never know when an opportunity to draw
will pop up for me!

I wish you peace, well being and lots of creativity!

May Zentangle find it's way onto your

Art wanna do list!!!

Donna Lee