Providence RI

This is a special post as so much of the Tangled Kindness Project is associated with the magic of Zentangle and the adventures they create in Providence.   Founded in 1636, the creative capital of Rhode Island is one of the oldest cities in the United States; walking around downtown you certainly get the sense of history.

The founder of this project recently traveled to Providence to complete classes from Zentangle to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT).   An experience so unbelievable that a simple blog post will barely be able to illustrate the wonder of that five day trip.

Zentangle hosted the certification workshop at Hotel Providence.  This boutique hotel provided the perfect atmosphere -- every aspect of the hotel was delightful and the manager, David Benton, went out of his way to ensure every aspect of the event was perfect.  (It is here we much note that every day, the soup served during lunch at Aspire, was delicious and David served it with a smile!) 

This sign greeted attendees as they entered Hotel Providence.  It pleases us to have taken this picture before the sign was righted (not tilted).

During the workshop, we were provided a raspberry (the inspiration for Bronx Cheer) and a hotel coaster to tangle.

This is one the many coasters that was tangled during our stay.

Only a couple of Tangled Little Cards were left in Providence.  The first was left at the Denden Cafe Asiana.  We stumbled across this restaurant after a visit to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art -- more on that next.  Given our limited stay here we are glad we found this place and the next time we are in Providence we will return for the Bento Box!  

You know you would return for another of this meal too!

Prior to our Bento Box arriving we had a bit of time to tangle.  Can you spot the TLC?  It was actually left on the window ledge in hopes that it wouldn't be tossed while the table was cleaned.

The only museum we allotted time for during our stay in Providence was the RISD -- Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art -- and we weren't disappointed!  Here a TLC sits on a window ledge in the textile room.  

Take a look at the pattern (blue 'waves') at the bottom of the picture... it's a tangle!

Tangent...
This picture makes us think of Andrea Riesenfeld, also a CZT, who tangles kimonos (both pieces of fabric in the picture are of kimonos.)  Andrea's work can be seen at iPhone imagery.

While at the RISD museum we soaked up all the patterns... here are a few that can be deconstructed to tangle.

  

Before we end this post there are two other places in Providence that we want to give a shout out to.... Local 121 and Ellie's Bakery!  We enjoyed a little down time at Local 121 every evening after class and a wonderful meal our last night in Providence.  Ellie's was a peaceful way to start the day with our favorite java!

Down time at Local 121!

BASIS Flagstaff and wonderful 5th Graders

Combine kindness with kids and what do you get... magic!

Art teacher, Jessalyn Carpino, at BASIS Flagstaff introduced Zentangle to her 5th graders as well as the Tangled Kindness Project.  She challenged her students to link kindness with creativity which lead perfectly into students making Tangled Little Cards.  We are talking nearly 100 students -- that is a lot of Tangle Little Cards entering the world and it makes the Tangled Kindness Project's heart sing!

Here are a few pictures of students working on their Tangled Little Cards... never have you heard an art classroom so quite.  Every student was diligently working on tangles, quotes, and making each card absolutely perfect.  

Little hands making little cards...

Students used some of our favorite tangles!!!  In addition, they had a little inspiration from TanglePatterns.

 

Students were also encouraged to create their own, unique tangles!

Students were thoroughly engaged in the project and proudly admired their work.

Where do you think these Tangled Little Cards will be placed?  They will surely make someone smile!

Ms. Carpino, you are simply amazing!  Thank you for sharing the Tangled Kindness Project with your students.  And thank you, students, for contributing such beautiful cards to the project!  

 

Experimenting

There is a saying; if it isn't broken, why fix it.  Well, our Tangled Little Cards aren't broken and don't need fixing, however, it has been fun experimenting with them!

To make a TLC we use Zentangle tiles,  water color paper (140 lbs or more work best), and recently coasters.  The challenge with coasters is that they absorb, absorb, absorb!  Ink bleeds, the surface is rough so a delicate Micron pen is not a good match, but... coasters seem to work well with Micron Gelly Roll and Glaze pens.  The Glaze pens are fun because they are 3D -- adding a nice effect to any tangle!  Tangling with color allows shading to be done with colored pencils... and the end result is wonderful!  

Then there is the issue of assembling the TLCs.  Regular packaging tapes works well.  The coasters seem to need something a bit more durable however, so our answer has been Duct tape!  

Here are a few Tangles Little Cards done on coasters, with Gelly Roll and Glaze pens, and put together with Duct tape.