Tangled Planets on Tour

Miander Galaxy (centerfold)

This is an update on my entry in The Sketchbook Project 2013 Summer Tour. My sketchbook, called Atlas Planetanglia: a Zentangle® Inspired Galaxy, can be viewed online here, but it is also on tour through October 17 in about 14 more cities across the U.S. See schedule here.

I chose "atlas" from a list of SBP optional themes because I liked the idea of fitting my Zentangle-inspired art into a category that I probably wouldn't have thought of myself. It took me a while to decide on a format for the 36-page sketchbook, after consulting several actual atlases on different topics. Each left-hand page illustrates the string I used in the drawing on the right-hand page. I randomly chose the tangles I would use, which are recorded in the text-box at the bottom of the right-hand page. In true atlas format, I included the names of the tangles and the colors I used (Prismacolor colored pencils). The name of each planet is based on a mashup of the names of the tangles included. Not too scientific, but a lot of fun. I hope you view my entire sketchbook in the SBP digital library.

Bale'nzurca & Purka Moon

You can learn all about The Sketchbook Project and how you can participate here.

MIANDER

MIANDER is a pattern that keeps appearing in my tangles. It can grow in any direction depending on how you turn your tile. Shaded or unshaded, it’s a fun pattern to try. It resembles the official Zentangle® pattern TRIPOLI, but in a square kind of way, as you’ll see if you follow along.

First, begin with a square. Add a triangle on each side. Turn your tile 45 degrees in either direction and draw another square on the side of one of the triangles. Add a triangle to each of the remaining sides of the square. Turn your tile again, and repeat. If you keep turning in the same direction, circular or spiral patterns may form. I like to vary my direction and let the pattern “wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination.” That’s how Merriam-Webster defines meander—the inspiration for naming this pattern, and so zen! My choice of spelling is a combination of the names of two special people, Mindy and Andy. 

Merry Christmas, you two! Merry Christmas to you!

Disclaimer: If this pattern has appeared elsewhere as a tangle pattern, please let me know so that I can give full credit.