Spention Verve and more

This piece feels like it’s part of a series that started a while back (see the piece here). I used a variety of different elements - including tangles Spention (Emily Houtz), also Mysealiam, Opus (Zentangle), and Verve (JJ LaBarbera).

The other elements were borrowed from photographs I took from the Pantages theatre and other places using a strategy of “borrowing” elements from the world in an ethical and respectful manner which is being discussed in my series Zentangle MatchMaking.

Here's the before and after shading:

And here is a closer view for you to inspect:

Feel free to pin or share these images.

Remember that all Copyright is 2023 Eni Oken

 
More Posts for you
Embroidered Burgundy Purse
Embroidered Burgundy Purse

This burgundy purse is piece #20 in a long line of embroidered purses. First I create the patch over a sandwich of fabric collage and after completed, attach it to fabric purses.

Embroidered Purses
Embroidered Purses

Since November of 2025 I’ve been making patches and attaching them to fabric purses. Here are a few of the many that I have already made. 

Burgundy Floral Patch
Burgundy Floral Patch

This is a large embroidered floral patch, measuring about 9x9 inches. I haven’t found a home for it yet, but hope that soon it will embellish a purse or jacket. 

Embroidered Patch on Jacket
Embroidered Patch on Jacket

Here you can see an intuitive embroidery that I made for a friend, I attached it to the back of a denim jacket.

Embroidered Purse
Embroidered Purse

Here you can see an embroidery that I made for the front panel of a purse, measuring more or less 9x10 inches. I love the big flowers, inspired by passion fruit flowers.

Embroidered Souvenir
Embroidered Souvenir

I embroidered freeform over a piece of fabric taken from a dress that no longer fit me but still had a lot of meaning. 

Blue Embroidered Dress
Blue Embroidered Dress

For the last 8 months or so I’ve been embroidering over fabrics. This is a dress that I upcycled with two hand embroidered panels. 

Four Gates Mandala
Four Gates Mandala

I’m so pleased with this beautiful mandala I made using a stencil by Kathryn Costa (Four Gates Mandala). I mixed two techniques: 1) painting with Pitt artist brush pens and Inktense pencils and 2) embroidering on paper. Very very fun to make!

Canvaswork in Blue
Canvaswork in Blue

I’m still enjoying making these mini needlepoints, I might use them as patches to embellish purses or totes. I’m finding the similarities with Zentangle fascinating: repetitive patterns, intuitive and meditative method (in this type of counted design), small size canvas, portability and unexpected results. Fun!

Canvaswork Yellow Red Blue
Canvaswork Yellow Red Blue

Continuing with some canvaswork needlepoint. This little one measures less than 3x3 inches over aida canvas, but I’ll use interlock from now on. The stitches are getting a bit more regular and even, it’s just a matter of practice. I love using gold thread over the colors, it create a nice metallic glint that is difficult to capture in the photo.

2023Eni Okenverve, myseliam, spention, borrowing, opus, frame