Introduction: Getting to Know the Blogger

My name is Cyndee Pelley, I’m an amateur artist with a spinal disability and this blog allows me to share my art, tangle patterns and coloring ideas. I’m also bound to touch on dogs and horses as well as family because they’re a big part of my life. My hands shake so my lines aren’t perfect but I’ve found expressing myself through art extremely important in maintaining a healthy perspective when my body is trapped in a bed.  Family,  pets, art and health are all topics that will arise but mostly this is about art.

One of the most significant things to happen to me in the last 15 years was when I accidentally came across the Zentangle(registered trademark)  Method created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Instead of trying to explain their method let me quote from their official website Zentangle.com.

“The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.

Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being. The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over this world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.

We believe that life is an art form and that our Zentangle Method is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life. ” (quote from the Zentagle.com website)

These are some examples of simple patterns and what you can do with them.

This is a tangle using the pattern “SKYE” deconstructed by the wonderful Margaret Bremner, CZT  (enthusiasticartist.blogspot.com)

This is called a ZIA (Zentagle Inspired Art). Meaning it’s a mix of patterns and ideas based on the Zentangle way but not conforming to the structure and rules of it. Like adding color.

This tangle pattern is called “pkok” the pattern was deconstructed by Sandhya Manne, CZT at Zen Temple Tangles and I added color for my own flair

I will be talking more about this method in later blogs but for now I’ll just say that Zentangle has changed my life. I’d encourage anyone who wants to draw but doesn’t know where to start to visit Rick and Maria’s site Zentagle.com. I also highly recommend tanglepatterns.com which is Linda Farmer’s collection of tangles including Rick and Maria’s official tangle patterns.

I  will also be chronicling my application process for a mobility service dog. I’ve always loved animals and in particular horses and dogs.  I just lost one of my rescued dogs (Daisy)  after 15 years.

My Daisy Mae (passed in April, 2016)

Her long time companion, Chance, is fading fast though I’m hopeful he will last the year.

This is Chance, who is also a rescue. His hips are quite bad and winter has me worried.

I also have a foster dog from a local rescue agency.  His name is Jake and he mostly likes to hide from the world.

Foster dog Jake who was rescued during below zero temperatures 3 years ago. He has serious anxiety issues.

The rules regarding service dogs in the home are usually that no other dogs are allowed to be present in the home. The reason for this is service dogs are working dogs and can get distracted which works against their training.  Having a service dog is a commitment to ongoing training and special care. I have made my application to an organization based in Norman, OK called “A New Leash on Life”.  http://newleashinc.org/ They take donated puppies (usually Golden or Labrador Retrievers for their natural retrieving abilities)  and train them for the specific needs of each client.  This takes between 1 and 2 years because the pups need to be fully grown to support the pulling, balancing and other activities a mobility dog must handle. So, I applied after Daisy’s death making me both sad and excited and guilty about the excited. Their letter to confirm my application was dated May 11, 2016. I’m trying to patiently wait for the next phase!

That’s enough for the first blog. I hope you’ll come back to see what kind of art we’ll be working each week. I also hope you’ll check out the 3 tangle patterns I’ve deconstructed. I’ve sent them to Linda Farmer, CZT at tanglepatterns.com to see if they conform to the tangle rules and can then be published there.  Either way,  feel free to experiment and share your thoughts and comments.

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