Zentangle Inspired Sketches

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Trudy Thayer is a regular contributor to Mixed Media Art and here she shares her story of how she discover the inspiration behind these Zentangle sketches.

Trudy Thayer's zentangles

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I found zentangles when I was searching for something else online.  They instantly captured my attention with the detail and colors.  I find the level of concentration extremely relaxing  and try to better my skill daily.  I have lots of stencils and some of the art I’ve seen using this is out of this world.  I also use some ideas from these in my quilting and fabric art.

Trudy Thayer's zentangles

I use Micron Ultra Fine point for hair-like tiny tiny work; and Micron Fine for most outlining.  I get my paper in the kids craft section of the stores, a pad with three different types of papers is really cheap and the quality is fine for what I do.  For coloring I use Bic “Mark it”s. The tip is a bit on the fine side which I love.  I use colored pencils for shading and to fill in and make the color seem richer and more full bodied.  And yes, yes, yes…..this is so “zen-like” .

You can read more about Zentangles here

Trudy Thayer's zentangles

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Trudy Thayer is a 65 year old mom, gramma, veteran, and late-in-life college with a BFA  specialty in graphic design. She lives in Vancouver, Washington and loves the area and the artistic stimulus that abounds there.

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Trudy Thayer's zentangles

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Using your tidbits for a wall-hanging

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Trudy Thayer has found a way to use up those “tidbits” that you have lying around, along with a few found objects to make this little wall hanging.

“It’s a 4 1/2″ wall hanging,” Trudy tells us.  “I use found objects, here the twig and feather,  left over yarns, and beads or beading.  Plus some quilting.”

Mixed Media wall hanging

Trudy sells some of her craftwork at local markets and she saves these tidbit wall hangings for kids to purchase for their friends and family when there is  an upcoming birthday, other event and the holidays.

“I only sell these to kids; I feel strongly it’s important for them to have the opportunity to buy special things on their own,” says Trudy.

To make your own Tidbits wall hanging, gather up scraps of material and arrange them into a mini quilt, about 4″ square. You can add batting into the inner layers, if you have it on hand. Sew these layers together using a sewing machine. Here you can also sew on features and trimmings.

Attach the stick to the hanging at the outer edges, using a needle and thread. Add a thread hanger in the middle of the twig, so your wall hanging can be hung. Add beads and other threads to complete the design, tucking in the feather as you go.

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Trudy Thayer is a 65 year old mom, gramma, veteran, and late-in-life college with a BFA  specialty in graphic design. She lives in Vancouver, Washington and loves the area and the artistic stimulus that abounds there.

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Mixed Media Artist – Trudy Thayer

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Our Mixed Media Art community is a diverse bunch and this week we turn to the fabrics side of Mixed Media Art and Trudy Thayer shares her “Sandwich art” with us.

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Trudy Thayer is a 65 year old mom, gramma, veteran, and late-in-life college with a BFA  specialty in graphic design. She lives in Vancouver, Washington and loves the area and the artistic stimulus that abounds there.

mixed media fabric

“I call this project my sandwich art”, says Trudy, “I put together as many pieces of material I want, usually 5-6. Then randomly stitch all over it. No pattern; then I cut out down to a particular layer to expose different patterned material, and clip 1/4″ from the seam, cut to fringe.”

“Then embellish to my hearts’  content. I can make these personal, like for birthdays, or scenic, just about any theme I want. I have a lot of fun with these and the recipients love them. Fun, it’s all fun.”

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It certainly does look like fun! Thanks Trudy to sharing your sandwich art with us.
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