Hi and welcome back to the Chrissie Murphy Designs Blog where I’m always exploring. As we make our way through the Magnified Fragments Project, I have been trying to share about each fragment in a blog post. I’m running behind in this process. Today we are looking back at Fragment A6 using Zenbossing as an Enhancer. Let’s get into it and I’ll fill you in on all you need to know.
The Expressive Bits
What is the Magnified Fragments Project and where can I find out more about it?
Well in short, it’s the biggest zentangle project I have ever undertaken! There is greater detail about the project and what’s involved in the very first blog post for the project – Magnified Fragment A1 using Echo Lines as an Enhancer
We’re currently about 20% of the way through the project, having nearly completing all the B Fragments. Most importantly though, you are still welcome to join us – you can join in and follow along using the hashtag #MagnifiedFragments at any time.
If you’d still like to learn more, check out our Magnified Fragments Gallery! It’s full of all the fragments that others have created in the project so far. It’s absolutely amazing!!
What is Fragment A6 using Zenbossing as an Enhancer?
Above is a close up of Fragment A6 that is featured in the Zentangle Collection of Reticula and Fragments book by Zentangle founders, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.
I have created a tile using this fragment as my string. In doing so, I effectively magnified it.
Zenbossing was the enhancer for this tile. Eglee Torres Zuleta, CZT EU4 put forward the idea of Zenbossing. It’s a technique developed by Anica Gabrovec, CZT. A few years ago I did an Artist Interview with Anica, you can check it out here. She’s such an inspiration to so many of us in the tangling community.
In relation to zenbossing Anica says, “The secret to this technique lies in the proper positioning of shades and highlights.” Here’s an example of the technique that she features on her website. It’s Anica’s work.
You can see I missed the mark well and truly!
I chose the following tangles for Fragment A6 using Zenbossing as an enhancer:
- Verve by JJ LaBarbera.
- Nvelope by Alyss Amster CZT
- Printemps by Zentangle
What does it mean in terms of my artistic work as a whole?
This tile is a great example of what I believe about expression. Yes I’m disappointed my zenbossing hasn’t worked out as well as I had liked, but the tile is so much more than that.
Looking back at this tile now, I realise it’s become a little time capsule. It captures where I was creatively at that moment—the uncertainty I was carrying into the challenge, the hesitation, and my very deliberate attempt to convince myself I could do it. (The colour probably gives that away!)
What I love most is that the finished piece reminds me that we don’t have to begin with confidence to create something worthwhile. Sometimes we simply need to show up, loosen our grip on expectations, and trust the process.
For me, creating has become an exercise in surrender—not necessarily having all the answers before I begin, but being willing to take the next pen stroke and see where it leads. Time and again I’ve discovered that beauty often appears after we’ve stopped trying to control every outcome.
Perhaps that’s one of the quiet lessons creativity teaches us. When we approach it with humility, openness and a willingness to let go, it has a way of revealing something far richer than we imagined.
This is probably more personal than I usually share, but it’s one of the reasons I continue to tangle. The process continually reminds me that some of the most meaningful things emerge not from striving for perfection, but from being willing to trust, explore, and simply begin.
How can you take this idea and be more Expressive?
What do you do when a tile doesn’t turn out the way you hoped? Do you tuck it away in the bottom of a drawer so no one ever sees it again? Or do you leave it somewhere you’ll be reminded of everything you think you got wrong?
I’ve come to see those tiles a little differently.
Every tile is a reflection of a moment in time. It carries something of what we were bringing to the page that day—our excitement, uncertainty, joy, frustration, confidence or self-doubt. Our hands create from the same place our words come from: whatever is filling our hearts in that moment.
That’s why I don’t believe a tile can ever really be a failure.
Instead, it’s an honest expression of where we were, and an invitation to respond with grace rather than criticism. Sometimes the most meaningful lesson isn’t found in producing a “perfect” tile, but in learning to let go of our expectations and remain open to what the creative process has to teach us.
So I’ll ask again: what do you do with the tile that didn’t turn out as you hoped?
Perhaps instead of hiding it, you could see it for what it really is—a faithful record of a moment in your creative journey. Every tile is precious, not because it’s flawless, but because it reflects the courage it took to put pen to paper and create.
The Factual Bits
The materials used
- Zentangle Tile
- Uniball Signo Gel pens in Hot Pink and white
- Grey Copic Markers in W4, W5 and W7
- Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils
- Distress Inks in varying colours
How big is Fragment A6 using Zenbossing as an Enhancer?
It is 4 inches x 4 inches square.
Before you go….
Thank you for spending a little time with me today.
If you’d like to keep exploring together, I’d love to welcome you to Always Exploring.
It’s my occasional letter from the studio, where I share new artwork, creative adventures, behind-the-scenes moments, and the little discoveries that make me smile. Every now and then, you’ll even get a peek at what I’m working on before it’s shared anywhere else.
The kettle’s usually on.
The Milo certainly is.
And there’s always room for one more around the studio table.
Save Yourself a Seat at the Studio Table
Until my next blog post, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” Ephesians 4:1.
In peace always
