This past week was one of those weeks that stays with you long after it is over. I spent it with my tangle buddies at Alcala la Real, Spain, surrounded by creativity, friendship, history, and the beauty of southern Spain.
We tangled together, explored the sights, wandered through spaces, shared meals and conversations, and enjoyed being together. There is something about meeting people who share your love for Zentangle. The hours seem to disappear as we draw, laugh, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
It was also a week of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. Some friendships have the comfort of familiarity, while new friendships bring energy and unexpected connections. Together, they made this retreat feel warm, joyful, and memorable. A week well spent!
Of course, I couldn’t leave Spain without creating a tile inspired by everything around me. The architecture was a constant source of inspiration. I found myself drawn to the subtle, earthy colours—the warm stone, muted greens, soft terracotta, sandy neutrals, and gentle golden tones.
For this tile, I wanted to capture a little of that Spanish feeling through a simple composition and a restrained palette. The tangles I used are Ginili, Blattwerk, and Aeroark. Each brought its own rhythm and character to the tile, while the colours helped create a connection to the architecture I had been admiring.
Perhaps that is one of the joys of travelling as an artist: you return home with more than photographs. You bring back colours, patterns, memories, friendships, and inspiration waiting to become art.
Materials : 4.5 inches Tan Zendala Tile, Black Micron 01, Brown Micron 01, White Gelly Roll Pen, Water Colours, Graphite Pencil, White Charcoal Pencil, and Stub.
