The Art of Zentangles

So alot of people think they need a bunch of fancy supplies in order to make art. Today, we're going to share with you the simple art of Zentangles. By using paper and an humble black sharpie marker, you can make some really cool art.

Basically, a Zentangle is doodling, using repetitive patterns. There are tons of video tutorials on Youtube. You can choose to use the patterns they teach or you can just do your own thing. Either way, it's a really relaxing way to make art.

Here's a great video showing how quickly and easily you can create a Zentangle mandala. (Note: Be sure to turn the sound down-there's no talking, but you don't want to get blasted by the credits at the very end!)



What's great about this art form is that anyone can do it, anywhere. It's a great thing to do while you're relaxing at your favourite coffee shop, while riding the bus or hanging out at the beach or a park. Everyone knows how to doodle, so there's no excuses like "I can't draw." to hold you back. It takes very little time to complete as well, (as you saw in the video-less than 7 minutes!) so the "I don't have time to make art." excuse doesn't work either. This week, we challenge you to give it a shot! Make a Zentangle mandala and send it to Papergirl! We'd LOVE to see your creativity!

Ready? Set? GO!

23 Days & Counting!

It's that time of year again-there are just 23 days (and counting!) left to submit your wonderful works of art to Papergirl! Today we're sharing with you some of the cool pieces that were submitted last year for inspiration, so if you're new to the project, you'll see that anything goes! Whatever style, whatever medium, whatever your artistic level, if you want to send it to us, we're happy to to have it!

"Give what you have. To someone else, it may be better than you dare think."

                                                                     ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Come join the Papergirl movement, share in the Art of Giving Art. Submission information can be found here.

An Invitation For YOU!!

Do you love making art but are having a hard time figuring out how to get it out
into the world? Does the idea of figuring out how to promote yourself make you want to curl up in a corner and cry? It doesn't have to be like this, we promise!

Join us for our first Papergirl Vancouver workshop hosted by Jenna Herbut of Make It! Productions. In the true nature of Papergirl's philosophy, the Art of Giving Art, Jenna has graciously donated her time not only to help artists learn more about getting their work out into the world, but also to help raise funds so Papergirl can continue next year!

Jenna will be teaching some basic concepts and techniques that will will help you promote yourself and your art in fun ways-it's easier than you'd imagine!

Getting Your Art Out Into the World will take place on Monday, July 23 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre,  located at 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC.

The workshop is by donation, with a minimum of $5 suggested. Space is limited to 75 participants, so register early to ensure your spot! Click here to register.

Bring your questions and be ready to mingle, learn and get inspired!
(It's also a chance to sneak in any last minute Papergirl Vancouver submissions!)


About Jenna:
It all started with the Booty Belt! Jenna Herbut started selling these belts right after her graduation from the University of Alberta, in over 102 boutiques across Canada, USA and Japan. The Thrill of growing her business allowed Jenna to experience alot of things such as becoming a pro at PR and getting her Booty Beltz into numerous magazines. Eventually Jenna transitioned from selling her belts wholesale to directly to customers at craft shows. Eager to change the stereotype of boring craft shows, Jenna made it her mission to make her own fun DIY show.


The inspiration for Make It! The Handmade Revolution is to create a show where one would want to sell at. Why not make a craft show more like a party? Adding booze, DJs and live music, creating a fresh and appealing view of craft shows. Make It! is in it's 5th year and has been growing exponentially every year!


Jenna also launched Make It University for those who want to bump up their business skills and be successful in doing what they love.

The Art of Getting Started

We all know how it is, you have the best of intentions to create something, but you keep in on the back burner and procrastinate a bit. You'll get to it later, when you have some free time, maybe on the weekend? The weekend comes and goes and you still haven't made something, but why? You love to create things! Art is so fun, relaxing and rewarding, right?

One reason you might be feeling so much resistance to start is that ,when your inner critic is getting really loudmouthed, you might be getting messages that what you will make won't be good enough. That it won't look the way you want, that it won't be perfect, that  no one is even going to like it anyway so what's the point.

We here at Papergirl Vancouver want your art. Even the stuff you don't like, that you think doesn't show your best and most creative side, because we are pretty sure that it is still way more awesome than you might think. All of our creations are valuable, just like us! Plus this way your lovely creations will be used to surprise someone else and make them happy, and who doesn't want that?!

So put the pen to the paper, set up your easel, get out those paints and get started. Here's a challenge, you only have to do it for five minutes and then you can stop if you really hate it, but hey that's pretty unlikely! The world needs what you have to offer, so go ahead, be like a little kid and just trust that you know what do to!

-genevieve

The Art of Giving

Giving

Freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone)  Bestow (love, affection, or other emotional support

What happens to our brains when we give?  Why does it make us feel so good when we help another without expecting anything in return?  There is a biology of giving.  You know that "warm and fuzzy" feeling you get, well that is because the pleasure areas in our brains activate when we give.  It is like we were made to do it.  Giving actually affects or brain's chemistry, making us feel euphoric, happy, and content.  Not too mention that when doing some charitable act, the direct outcome is helping another.

The intention of putting work out into the world selflessly for the benefit of anyone and everyone is what makes us as a species so unique.  We have the ability at any moment to help another.  Whether it comes in a small form or a grand gesture doesn't matter.  What is important is that we have acknowledged the fact that we all live here, and share this life together.  We are all connected, and a chain of events bigger than we could imagine can happen through the small kindness or charity of another.

~ Jamie Wood

Papergirls Takes To The Airwaves!

Last Friday, Papergirls was featured on the Pedal Revolutionary Radio show, on co-op radio 102.7! Two of our Papergirl team members, Albane and Lelainia had a great time hanging out with Hosts Ifny Lachance and Flick Harrison. As you can see, the theme of the day down at the station was pirates!

Thanks Pedal Revolutionary Radio for helping spread the word about the Papergirl project! We hope listeners will come join us!