Rick writes:
I am fascinated with the tangle paradox.
It has only one elemental stroke – traditionally a straight line. As you repeat that straight line in paradox it “paradoxically” results in a beautiful spiral.
When paradox elements share a common side, something intriguing occurs. A new shape or pattern appears that transcends the original shapes. We call these new shapes “meta-shapes” or “meta-patterns.”
I often tangle paradox inside adjacent equilateral triangles. You can arrange equilateral triangles so that all the sides touch and there are no gaps on a flat surface. That’s called a “Tessellation.”
Tessellation: the tiling of a plane using one or more geometric shapes, called tiles, with no overlaps and no gaps.
In this video, I dig deep into this concept. I use a pencil compass to “string” a gray Opus tile with a “Flower of Life” matrix. This is not a normal Zentangle way to create a string, but my motive here is to create an underlying structure from which to explore new tessellation shapes.
This video shows how the paradox tangle elicits new curving tessellations from any arrangement of tessellated straight- or curved-edged shapes.
I also appreciate the metaphors of this exercise. By tangling paradox within any tessellation pattern,
- You can transform that previous pattern into an entirely new one
- Depending on how you draw your paradox you create different meta-patterns and meta-shapes
- The original pattern remains. But it is nearly invisible as it part of a new pattern.
- The new pattern incorporates previously separate elements into this new meta-pattern.
- (And in this example, it’s all based on the matrix of the flower of life, something quite special to Maria and me!)
We invite you to take a moment and enjoy this video.
Whatever appears to be happening around you, remember that you always have the option to put pen to paper in a Zentangle way and re-connect with your creative core and a feeling of gratitude.
From our home to yours, we send you and your families all our best Zentangle wishes.
Enjoy!
With gratitude,
Rick and Maria
P.S.
Here are some links you may enjoy:
- Some examples of paradox in Zentangle newsletters
- Sacred Geometry
- Tessellations
- M.C. Escher
me on
Ria Joris-Matheussen on
Thank you for the mindblowing Opus tessellated Paradox.
Clearly you have not lost your ability to meditate!
Me and my tangle friends are doing online tangle times while we shelter at home.
Now we have a new idea to explore!
Groovy
LIsa on
Judith Rae Shamp on
Susie on
Thanks so much for this gift, Rick and Maria and all! The worldwide Zentangle community is making quarantine a truly wonderful, relaxing time. In fact, I can’t keep up with all the fabulous, creative projects out there. Stay home and safe, all, and Tangle On! ❤️
Danielle DeRome on
It is not a paradox that this tangle has so many variations, and is a simple straight line. Oh where our minds can go as we delve into this! Thank you once again for the prompts.
Ginger White CZT34 on
Nathalie Paré on