Hi Everyone,
I’ve spent most of the past week trying to finish the pages for my next book, Expressions of Nature, and wanted to give you a sneak peak at some of the pages.
The book is due this week, and I have done multiple versions of some of the designs… for example, here are three different rough layouts of the dragonfly design:
I decided to go with the version on the left, and am pretty pleased with how it turned out.
I’m still trying to decide whether or not to include pattern in the border of the pomegranate design, and would welcome your thoughts. Which version would inspire you to get out your favorite coloring tools and add your own creative touches to the design? 
I always appreciate getting feedback, and have been wondering if there would be interest in starting a monthly Zenspirations® Connection, where we could all go to a ‘virtual hang-out’ and visit. Although most of us have never met, the Zenspirations community we are building is quite special, and I’d love to figure out a way we can strengthen our connection. Leave a comment to let me know if you’d be interested in attending a virtual hangout of some kind… if there is a strong response I’ll try to figure out how to make it happen.
In the meantime, if you’ll be at the Craft & Hobby Association Show next month, we can plan to get together in person. If you’ll be there, I hope you’ll come to the Zenspirations® Create, Color, Pattern, Play workshop I’m giving Friday morning. This is the piece that we’ll be doing in the workshop:
Workshop participants will get a set of handouts, a copy of my Zenspirations Birds & Butterflies book, a pad of my favorite Strathmore drawing paper, a selection of my favorite pens from Sakura of America, and a selection of Faber Castell’s Polychromos color pencils. If you won’t be attending the show, but are interested in the information and goodies, check with your local craft retailer to see if someone from the store is going, and invite them to sign up and bring things back for you. You can register on the CHA website. I’d love to have lunch with after the workshop with any Zenspirations blog readers who will be there. Being with my creative friends (even those I haven’t met yet!) is always inspiring! In addition to the workshop, I’ll be teaching make-it-take-its for Sakura Saturday and Monday afternoons, and doing a Zenspirations demo and signing books for my publisher, Design Originals/Fox Chapel Sunday afternoon. At some point I’ll be visiting the Impression Obsession booth to see my new line of rubber stamps… I love getting to see all the new supplies that are launched at the show. I hope to see you in Anaheim!
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Hi Joanne, love the dragonfly pages you made for your expressions of nature book, and the final version you chose is also my fave of the bunch. The pomegranate on the right is my fave of the two. The pomegranate fruit seeds border just finishes the piece in my opinion 🙂 So cool you're doing a workshop at CHA and I definitely wish I could visit but sadly, being from the Netherlands, that is not a likely option for me. But I would definitely love to attend a virtual "hang out" to chat with you and fellow Zenspirationalists 🙂 Have you ever done live Q&A type session on your you tube channel? I think that would generate a lot of interest as well 🙂 Thanks again for sharing your wonderful work with us!
Have a great week.
Namaste,
Cheetarah
I like the dragonfly you chose best as well. The pomegranate with the seeds border is my favorite, makes it easier to just fill in with multiple colors. Sometimes its relaxing to just add color and not have to think. The Zenspiration Connection sounds like a fun idea and would love to be able to attend your class at CHA, too bad its not closer. Looking forward to seeing your new book!
Karen
I think the pattern in the border looks cool in the pomegranate page but then it doesn't leave much space for coloring and patterning.
Hi Joanne,
I love the Dragonfly one you chose as well. As far as the border on the pomegranate I like it blank. I'm a CZT as well as I own a home care company so most of my students and/or clients are 50+ and therefore the smaller more intricate designs are harder to see and color. I've gotten a lot of feedback about colored pencils not working well in the real small places and it frustrates them. That is the reason why I recommend and order your coloring books over the rest of them out there. Your coloring books allow the lay person an opportunity to be successful. Keep them coming!!!
Joanne, you chose the perfect dragonfly for your book. I agree that tiny designs are more difficult to color. I pass up purchasing coloring books with small details. I like it better when there are spaces left for my own tangles. I am excited for you that you have another book coming out. Congrats!
Joanne,
I love the dragonfly you chose and also the patterned pomegranate. I liive on the east coast and won;t be able to attend the CHA.. So wonderful that you will be doing workshops there, what an amazing opportunity for folks who are able to attend.
Congratulations on your success.
Good Morning Joanne, all of your artwork is a complete piece of work other than the coloring. I do like the drawings with the least amount of design so I can add a bit of myself into the piece. But not everyone wants to do design and color. Is it possible to do a little of each in your books? Guess that's my way of saying I like the pomegranate without the frame. Given the chance, I would love to meet in a virtual hangout.
I also prefer the dragonflies flying off together. One of the reasones I buy your Zenspirations books is because of the open spaces that allow me to practice my tangles and dangles. I like to make copies of the pages before I color so that I can try different techniques on the same drawing. Having the blank boarder allows me to decide how to blend it with the work that I will do on the picture. Thank you so much for offering us such a wonderful opportunity to have fun and relax!
Looks like another wonderful book. Your designs are terrific. I think the dragonfly design you chose is my favorite one, but love them all. It's hard to decide which of the pomegranate design to choose. The finished border would be fun to color, but the unfinished border gives more opportunity to embellish. I think a Zenspiration Connection would be fun.
HI Joanne!
LOVE the Dragonflies! Perfect choice! Like the border on the pomegranate too!
And you know I would love to meet and "hang" with you and others too!. It would just depend on my schedule of course. You know I am coming to FL in Mar and we are going to make it happen then hopefully! 🙂
PS Can't wait to get your new book too!
Can't wait for this book Joanne! The pomegranate with the border is definitely my favorite! Thanks for sharing!
Although I've never done a virtual hangout and am not that computer savvy I love the idea! I'm sure with instructions I could figure out how to do it. I wish I was able to come to CA to the show and meet you, I'll have to wait until you come to VA.
As far as border vs no border I would vote for having a border. Since most of your pictures don't have one it's sometimes nice to have part done so I can just color if I want.
First let me say how much I love your work and can't wait for this book.
I love the dragonflies that you chose. Between the three options, that was the one that stood out as my favorite.
With the pomegranates, I prefer the one with the patterned border. While I can see why others may like to do their own border design, I personally find too much white space intimidating, as I have difficulty deciding where to go with the designs and colors.
Thanks!
Hi Joanne, congratulations on another book ! It is hard to keep up with you ;-). I tend to like your less adorned pages best, I guess with the others I feel a bit overwhelmed. There is no need to add something to a finished piece, now is there? I would like a virtual hangout, although I have no experience with that sort of thing whatsoever. Would Periscope be an option?
Good luck with your busy program of workshops and make-and-takes !
I like the pomegranate with the border. I don't doodle very well and the design you have there is really cute and would be fun to color in. Thanks for all you do. Good luck with the new book.
Hi JoAnne, your designs seem to just get better and better! I love the interesting shapes of the patterns to color on the dragonflies that you like best also. For the pomegranate the border with the arils is a perfect balance-just like Mother Nature does! An on-line hangout is a wonderful idea. I sure wish I could go to Anaheim but will be getting ready to spend 42 days in Palm Harbor FL and traveling about the state calling on old friends. I hope we can connect down there–not too far to go to meet you for a lunch or a coffee!
My favorite dragonfly is the one you chose but I prefer the pomegranate without the border….I like adding patterns in the borders but I am often hesitant to add patterns to the other spaces.
I am in awe of you, Joanne, and of all things "Zenspired". I have followed you for a couple of years, bought your books, and remain a "zenspired" fan and follower-albeit quietly working on improving and enhancing my art skills. To be able to participate in a "Zensnpiration Connection"-type of virtual online class with you would be a dream come true! I live in a small, remote mountain community in Colorado that seems even more remote now, with nearly 5 feet of snow on the ground, hence I have little opportunity for "big city" experiences and classes in art and all things "zen" and/or "tangle" . The internet has been a life-saver and a much valued tool in following, learning, and making art. I hope you please consider moving forward with a virtual online "zenpirational" class! Thank you for your continued inspiration-both artistic and spiritual!
Looking great Joanne, I actually love the more "busy" pomegranate…just to be different. How amazing that you are holding a workshop at CHA….this show sound amazing, we don't have anything as big as this as the UK. I am SO excited about your new stamp range. I like the idea of your connection…not sure how it work but sound fun!
Jxx
I, absolutely, agree that the dragonfly you chose is the best.
The pomegranate with the border is more striking and begs to be colored.
Being part of a virtual hangout sounds like fun. I look forward to it.
Lorelei
I adore your work Joanne. Look forward to getting the book. I like the pomegranate with the border of little circles, like the seeds of that fruit. It would be fun to hang out together. I would love to learn how to use this style of art on cards. Anything bigger than 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 is overwhelming to me. All the best with success of your new book.
Hi Joanne, I really love the Dragonfly page you chose, and the Pomegranate with the border is my favorite. I love coloring in those tiny details. I'd also be interested in the virtual hang-out idea. Have fun at the Craft and Hobby Show. I wish I could attend and meet you in person. I'm really looking forward to the stamps you have coming out. I recently have gotten into Bullet Journaling and I think they would be a really fun addition to my journal!
Everything is beautiful.
The leaf on the dragonfly page is the best I've seen.
When in doubt choose a little of both.
Letitia
I love your work … but am frustrated as I pre paid for a book ages ago and have never received it. I wrote you at your email address and never got a response. What procedure should I follow in order to get my book. I am only asking in this venue because, hopefully, you will see this when you are reading all these wonderful responses to your question. Thanks, Jane
Hi Joanne: I really love the Pomegranate with the circle border! Really adds a great interest. I would love to attend your workshop, but I don't arrive in LA until the afternoon on Friday. I'd love to find you at some point during the weekend and at least say Hi! and meet the brilliant women behind my computer screen. 😉
Continued success with your amazing books!
Joanne, Great choice on the Dragonfly. I like that best, then middle , then right…
As for the Pomegranate, I would probably do the one with the pattern in the border sooner than I would without, but also lie the option of designing your own border.
As for the virtual "get togethers"… That would be AWESOME!
We do that with hooping once a week & it goes over really well.
Please let me know if & when that happens, or if I can help you in any way setting it up.
You could make a Google Community that would allow multiple people to video chat at the same time.
And I mean it, I will help since now is my down time with my hooping biz. (weather)
Also, Thanx So Much for choosing one of my designs for the new book!
I can't wait to get it, but that was the case even before I knew I would be in it!
Also, I saw you posted something about trading some stamps for some work done by them. I would LOVE to have ALL your stamps, but would gratefully accept anything you are willing to give in return for artwork.
Sine I don't have any $, I have been making all my holiday gifts & have been using stamps on some. I've found many different ways thy can be used & I would love if I could use ones by someone I felt proud of using.
I sent you a personal message on Facebook that you haven't seen yet, asking you something I hope you find time to get to. But I do know how busy you are, so understand the delay in your response.
Besides, you couldn't be nicer, or made me happier if you tried, so I feel a bit intrusive on your time already.
I want to send you what I made Chris, but not on facebook, so he doesn't see it.
I have to drive him to the airport on x-mas & pick him up on New Years Day cuz he's going to go visit his M/om for the holidays as she is getting old. (over 90). I guess I can share it in the Zenspirations Group since he isn't a part of that.
Anyway, I've chattered enough!
I hope you are well & have a great Holiday Season.
No joke if you want help with ANYTHING!
Peace & Love,
Jamie Torres
I think the virtual meetings would be great! I would sure be interested.
Hi Joanne – I'm really confused! Do you have to be a retailer or linked to any retailer to be able to attend the CHA Show in Anaheim? Thanks, Chris
Perfect choice of dragonfly picture! I also like the pomegranate with the patterned border. When I looked at it, it reminded me of the pomegranate seeds.
A Zenspiration Connection would be fantastic! I would love to be able to have that ability to connect with other Zenspirationists (I know that's not a real word but it should be!!).
I like the dragonfly design you chose. The pomegranate with the border is my favorite.
Love the dragonfly and definitely prefer blank border so that I could zentangle in it. Would LOVE to hang out virtually!