This is the last of the large zentangle animals panels which I’m preparing for the exhibition – the others are the zen fish, hare and deer, which I posted some time ago. This one is of a pair of grouse – there are a lot of them up here on the heather moors, and they certainly communicate a strong “Spirit of Place”, which is the working title of the exhibition
Zentangle grouse on a zentangle moor
I don’t think this one works as well as the others – for one thing I now think that there should have been just one bird rather than two. Two subjects divide the attention a little bit and break up the structure of the composition. However this will do well enough in company with the others, and the other day someone actually asked if they could buy it, so maybe it can’t be that bad. It was made in the same way as the other large zentangle panels – the fabric is roughly painted and then the design stitched over it. The colours are heathery lavenders, soft greens and muted greys, which is pretty much how our local moors look in summer
I disagree! I think the two work very well but would have put lighter thread in the stitches near them to show them off more. As usual, your work is superb!
Another great design.
I love them just as they are. They rermind me of the prairie chickens we have in western Canada
I know the colors don’t pop, but aren’t grouse suppose to be hidden and camouflaged. I think they are beautiful. Deena
I like the two bird subject. You may be reacting to how the intricate stitching of the grass around and between them mimics the texture on their wings. That may be making your eye move around as if it has too much to do.
I find my reaction changes depending on how far away from the screen I am. I think for the distance folks will be at in the exhibit, that it will go over better than when you’re close up to it.