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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Mi^2

Every now and then we see a tangle that is so simple yet apparently complex and open to multiple interpretations and tangleations that we just have to share it. That description applies to this fantastic tangle created by Mimi Lempart, CZT, of Florence, Massachusetts. It's called Mi2. You can read about how to do it here on tanglepatterns.com.

Here is one of Mimi's tiles using Mi2 as a monotangle:



Maria and I were admiring this tangle that Mimi describes as similar to huggins and W2. After breakfast this morning I started exploring:


I love the minimalist opportunities this tangle offers. I also love the natural shading possibilities.

I was reading on tanglepatterns about challenges creating the initial seed shapes. So I tried starting with dots and used the arcs to define the seed shape around the dots. This also gave me a chance to play with a different arrangement of seeds:


I put six dots in a row in both directions. (I put a seventh dot on the top row by "mistake." So I just made it really big and part of the design.)

Here's the sequence I used:







Thank you Mimi for contributing such a fun tangle that is simple, beautiful and open to different interpretations. While the similarities to huggins and W2 are noticeable, this tangle is unique in that the strokes (in this case, arcs) only go in one direction, whereas in huggins and W2 they go in two directions at right angles to each other.

Click images for larger views.

7 comments:

Margaret Bremner, Artist said...

Isn't it just gorgeous!?!
I've been using an oval to start but really like how you developed a mandorla shape. And thanks for pointing out the beauty in the simplicity of the initial pattern. That had escaped me before.

Sue Clark said...

I love this tangle too, but was having trouble with the seed shapes coming out all different sizes and not lined up very well. Your tutorial will really help....back to the the drawing board to try this again! Thanks so much!!!

Barb of the Tangles said...

Thanks, Rick. I, too, was having trouble with this. I love the simplier look of it.

Unknown said...

such an elegant yet austere ribbon of visual beauty. Love it! thanks

Eden said...

I love this one too! I started using dots to start this one when I had similar trouble with the seed shapes, although I use the dots to help me make the seeds and then add the arcs... Your way would probably work aven better. I love the opportunities for doing cool things at the edges of this tangle. I have one up on a post right now that contains Mi2.

Karen Lynn said...

Even though I loved this tangle before, your tutorial emphasizes its essence and makes me appreciate it even more.

Renee said...

I love the way this looks but I'm going to have to practice it for awhile, mine doesn't look quite right.