Thursday, June 16, 2011

Zentangle Challenge #26 - Spiral Out. Keep Going!



The first time I drew the spiral string on my tile, I immediately saw my old friend the snail start to appear! I have been making spirals since forever and somehow some of them evolved into snails some years back. When I had the opportunity to give my very first speaking engagement at a retreat about THE ARTIST'S WAY by Julia Cameron, I was thrilled and terrified. I rehearsed and rehearsed, but I knew I would speak quickly in my excitement, so I drew my spiral snails all over my notes


to help me remember to slow down. With this spiral challenge, I wanted to do a tribute to all the snails I have drawn over the years. For the first time, I had the urge to name her, too! I came up with Flo Slomo to remind me to stay in the "flow" and to go in "slow motion" when necessary.

My "Hope" spiral is one of the few Zentangles I have ever named. I knew as I was creating it, that it would have a name and that I would know what it was when I was done. I looked and looked, and then I saw it -- HOPE! I believe that almost anything is possible once we find that spark of hope. Then I noticed that Laura had part of a song lyric -- "Spiral out. Keep going!" That sounds like hope to me! Spirals are very important in my life in all kinds of ways. I have been looking at the other challenge submissions, and I can tell that they are meaningful to other people, too. I know that the spiral is a symbol of life, and I have always thought of the way that life proceeds is more in a spiral fashion, and not a straight line. Hooray for spirals! Thank you, Laura, for another amazing challenge!

10 comments:

  1. Absolutely ADORABLE!! I <3 HEART <3 Flo Slomo!!

    Way to rock the challenge Carol!! :-D

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  2. These are wonderful, your Flo Slomo makes me giggle, your "Hope" lifts my spirit, and your share is inspirational.

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  3. I love your spirals, esp. Flo Slomo, and your thoughts behind them. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Great post, Carol! Love your snail story. Your Hope tile is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. It was 'dang good.'

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  5. Emily Dickinson wrote "Hope is the thing with feathers...". How appropriate that there seem to be feathers in your Hope snail. Thanks for sharing the story behind it.

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  6. Grandma Coco -- that is a poem I memorized many years ago! and I was definitely in a feather mood! Thanks for posting!

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  7. Love the coloured snail, but that second one just draws me right in....

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