As I start this drawing, I’m reminded of the words my teachers would say to me.  “Don’t draw every leaf.  Make a pattern of the light and shadow of the foliage, and just give a hint of texture”.  Okay, yes, that makes for wonderful landscapes.  However, what if I do want to draw every blessed leaf?

In abstract art, people often talk about it being the process, not the result.  It’s a cliche, and as I always am aware, words become cliches because there is truth to them.  Even very naturalistic artists talk about being in the zone, where there is nothing but the artwork and themselves.

Which brings me back to Zentangles….yes, you remember me talking about Zentangles.  The “zen” part of it, relates to the state of consciousness that you get when you concentrate on a repetitious task. So, considering the process, and the state of mind in the zone, I damned well am going to draw every leaf.

Case in point, this drawing I did when I was approximately half the age I am now.  I took my teachers’s advice on the trees, but the grass?  I drew every blade, and I don’t regret it.  It was relaxing, and on top of it, I discovered I could make the grass in a pattern that complemented the composition.  Yes, it was all very Zen.