No Color, No Problem

Just several miles away from the famous San Diego Zoo, our class designed a Zentangle Zebra at Kensington/Normal Heights Library.  Eight lucky students created a ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art).   

Art can be intimidating.  What media? What size?  What to draw?  When you add color to art you have to think... What color? How many colors? What media of colors? Where do I put color?  Not very relaxing.  The only thing you have to choose in the Zentangle Method are patterns.  

Typically Zentangle is an abstract (no up or down), black & white, meditative art method.  Zentangle was designed to take the "hard" out of art by creating a simple method that use very few materials (4x4 paper, pencil, pen).  Zentangle is so easy a six year old to senior can complete by drawing circles and lines.  All patterns are designed with a step-by-step method.

Using a "string" you apply patterns inside each section. What better black/white image would be more perfect than a Zebra?  Today, our string had the shape of a Zebra?    

Couple fun Zebra facts:  

Zebras run from side to side when being chased by a predator
Zebras eat mostly grass

Zebras life span is about twenty five years

Zebras weigh between 200-450 pounds

I had never looked at a Zebra tail.  Look how interesting the patterns are.  I gotta go to the Zoo soon to see this.

Back to my class today...

Bringing Zentangle to Ramona Library

Today, I took the 45 minute drive out to the country to share the Zentangle Method at Ramona Library.  What a beautiful establishment to teach at.

The large community room was full of 20 adults and teens new to this fresh, exciting, unique art method that makes it possible for anyone, any age to create beautiful art.  We began our Zentangle journey in kindergarten (Zendergarten).  Ya gotta start at the beginning to learn the philosophy behind the method.

Even Colleen, the branch manager, happened to be at the library on her day off, and was able to sit in on class. Thanks for joining us Colleen. 

One of the fun parts of class is to see the other tiles (that's what we call the paper) .

All the art work was unique to the person that designed it.

You know you are in the country when the local Starbucks has a hitching post for horses.  

I love this place.

Mr Robotic

Pacific Beach Library got their robotic on by designing a Zentangle Robot Bookmark.  I love how all the robots looked a little different with the kids (and some parents) embellishments.  Good job everyone.

What Is This Thing Called Zentangle?

The Zentangle Method is a meditative art method that creates beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. During the drawing process, you relax, focus and get into a state of well-being - happy place.

If you have been intimidated by art in the past - fear no more.  Zentangle takes the HARD out of art by making it simple:  tile, pencil, pen.  All you have to do is choose your patterns - we call them tangles.  Have I sparked your interest?

Twelve curious folks joined me today at University Community Library in San Diego to begin their Zentangle journey.  When will your Zentangle journey start?
        WARNING:  ZENTANGLE CAN BE ADDICITIVE !

Below is eight year old, Jack's art work.  Jack came with his grandmother.  Jack surprised me with his gift to embellish without direction.  Great work Jack.

Look at my classes on top of home page:  find a class near you.

Zentangle Labyrinth

Have you ever walked a labyrinth path?  

Why do folks walk their path?  A labyrinth is a winding pattern whose single path leads to a central core.  Unlike a maze, a labyrinth holds no false paths or dead ends.  It is not a puzzle.  Walking in a labyrinth, one is always certain of being on the right path.

What is the purpose?  Answers vary:  a relaxation technique, a path of prayer.   It represents an opportunity to listen deeply, to walk deliberately, yet without conscious thought.  A labyrinth is a meditation tool/technique for people who are unable to sit still, and/or unable to stop thinking.  It is a time for reflection.

Allied Gardens/Benjamin Library in San Diego, walked a labyrinth path today while applying Zentangle patterns.

One of the students brought her two young children to class.  I was a little concerned because this class was a two hour class and lots of new tangles.  Typically, kids classes are one hour with larger areas to tangle.  I gotta give it to the kids.  They came in after class started so I didn't get their ages.  I'd guess they were 6 and 8/9? They caught up with us and finished.   The first piece below is the girl's.  She did fantastic.  Her younger brother also finished the two hour class.  Not a peep, just tangled.  Wow.  Impressed.