Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Encintas Library Zendala


The view is breathtaking at the Encinitas Library in San Diego County.  
Twenty one students in class today were excited to learn about this new art method. Most were new to the method. 

I teach more than 30 different classes with the Zentangle Method in mind.  Today's class was a Zentangle Zendala class.  Zentangle is a meditative art method which fits right a long the line of Mandala's.  

The word Mandala (pronunciation mon- dah- lah) means "circle".  A Mandala represents wholeness, a cosmic diagram reminding us of our relation to infinity, extending beyond and within our bodies and minds.

The mandala appears to us in all aspects of life, the Earth, the Sun, the Moon and more obviously the circles of life encompassing friends, family and communities.

Mandalas are circular designs symbolizing the notion that life is never ending. Many mandalas have spiritual significance to an individual or group of individuals. The Hindus were one of the first people to use a mandala as a spiritual tool, but the mandalas most individuals are familiar with, are ones made by Buddhists.

Mandalas are used for meditation purposes allowing the individual meditating to become one with the universe. There are not many who are able to achieve this state of mind from just studying a mandala. The symbolism behind the creation of a mandala can have significant meaning for many individuals whether they are Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Pagan or of any other religious orientation.

Mandalas can be created by individuals to symbolize their journeys through life. Mandalas can also tell a story of where an individual has been.  In some cases they will reveal the individual's path in life.  Groups can create mandalas that will reveal what they should be doing in order to grow and develop as a group.


Changing a typical black and white basic class, I choose gray tone paper with black pens and white Gelly roll pen to create a highlight.  Zentangle begins by making a "string", a place to apply the patterns. I created a string using a Helix angle & circle maker.

Bring on the patterns (we call them tangles).



There are no rulers, no erasers, no mistakes. It is more about the process while you are drawing, than the end results, but didn't they turn out beautiful?  


Each Zentangle class from a certified Zentangle teacher, you will learn new patterns and new techniques.  

Before class started today, two ladies sat next to each other and found they had a lot in common.  When I finished breaking down my class and left the library, they were still outside getting acquainted on a bench outside the library. 

Since becoming involved in Zentangle myself, I have meet a lot of wonderful people.  Zentangle brings folks together with a same goal, relax and enjoy.


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