What is Zentangle®?

Zentangle is a secret gem.

I have been teaching kids, teens, men, women and seniors Zentangle Method since June 2014.  I've taught more than 7,000 students from 2014-2017.  Only about 100, out of all those students, have raise their hands when I ask "who knows what Zentangle is?"   They usually say they have heard the word, but don't know what it is.

Lots of folks are familiar with the Adult Coloring Books and how relaxing it is when you color, but Zentangle is even more meditative than coloring.  By the way, many of the Certified Zentangle Teachers has authored the adult coloring books. When you are choosing what color, how many colors, where to put the color, that takes the mind into a lot more thoughtfulness.

The basic Zentangle Method takes the "hard" out of art.  All you do is draw 4 dots, connect, make a string, and pick a pattern.  The structured patterns almost draw themselves.  It's so easy.  If this sounds confusing to you, find a CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher), oh, that's ME, and take a class.

CZT's have been trained by the founders of Zentangle in the method it was designed for.  During the process of creating a "tile", you get into a state of well-being - healing art.   A lot of people say Zentangle is just glorified doodling.  Doodling is mindless (usually thinking about other things while you doodle). Zentangle is mindful (you are  focused on drawing the intricate patterns).  Usually, you don't know what your pieces will look like till you finish.  Zentangle creates amazing works of art. The founders created a step-by-step process through drawing structured patterns to create intricate, interesting art that looks complicated yet easy enough for kids to seniors to complete.    Even non-artists are amazed by the artwork they create.  Zentangle simplifies art. 

Best part about Zentangle - ZERO ART EXPERIENCE NECESSARY to be successful in this art method.  No rulers, no erasers, no mistakes.  How easy does that sound?

When you put pen to paper you are away from your thoughts and focusing on the patterns.

Zentangle has proven to be beneficial to folks going thru:  depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, ADHD, pain management, chronic medical conditions, cancer therapy, eating disorders, dieting, bereavement, essential tremors, Parkinson's Disease and more.

Kids LOVE Zentangle too.  Zentangle promotes self-esteem and self confidence.  We all need that.  

             When will your Zentangle journey begin?   You don't get "it", till you do "it".   

If you live near or will be in the San Diego, California area, look under my "classes" on my home page of my blog for a class near you.  

Valentine Zentangle Heart Box

Barbara, Sandy and Sharon joined me today at my house for a fun Valentine Zentangle Project.  Using Zentangle Zendala tiles, we created a fun box to add a Valentine candy, love note, or gift inside for that special loved one.

Side story:  My plumeria's never really had a winter this year.  All the leaves did not fall off as usual when they go dormant from December to March.  Look, I have one plumeria bloom coming.  Yippee, it's almost spring.

Typically, my home classes are outside on my lanai with a tropical ambiance.  Too cold to be outside today,  so we brought class inside with the heater on.  It was in the low 60's today.  That is cold for us Californian's.  Anyone in the mid west/east coast/northern pacific laughing?  I had to dig my sweater out today. It is all what you are used too. WE are used to in the 70's.

University Community Library and Zentangle Zendala

                      

Relaxed, calm and focused today at University Community Library in University City, San Diego, California.  The Zentangle Zendala class was quite the hit at this library.  Zentangle founders design their own hybrid of a Mandala - Zendala.  

Mandala translation means circle. Mandala represents the universe, often representing a spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Budddism.   Mandala examples can be found in art, architecture, religious imagery, Zendala is a Mandala filled with patterns.

Fifteen folks gathered for this Zentangle Zendala class today. We complete a tan tile, using black, brown, and white pens. 

Hey - there is Judy and I.  Thanks for pic Judy

Thank you Melissa for asking me to share Zentangle today for the library.

J-raff Pattern by Janet Masey, CZT

Living in San Diego, California, I am lucky to be able to visit the world famous SD Zoo often. My inspiration for my Zentangle pattern was created by a trip to the Zoo.   Zentangle patterns are everywhere at the Zoo.   I am fascinated by the markings on the animals fur, especially the Giraffe's.  Their markings are unique to each giraffe, their own "fingerprint".

Every time you draw J-raff, it will look a little different, it's own fingerprint.  When I draw this tangle, I think of fitting a puzzle together without touching or connecting.

J-raff is a simple tangle you can enhance with shading/filling in between spots, or opposite - darken the spots. When you fill in the spots, you bring depth to a tile.   I always try to have 1/3 depth/darkness to each tile for contrast. You can also enhance each individual spot with a design.  Use J-raff as border, or any size, shape section on your tile.

I became a Certified Zentangle Teacher in June 2014.  I have been lucky to share The Zentangle Method to 7,000 students (kids, teens, men, women and seniors) between 6/14 to 12/17. You can find me teaching at many different venues throughout the San Diego area (see classes on home page for locations/dates/times).  I am very passionate about sharing this new, unique method that not only creates amazing art, but is also helpful to folks in many different ways:   emotionally, mentally, and physically.  Have you started your Zentangle journey yet.

Let me introduce you to J-raff

Poway Adult School Gets Tangled Up In Zentangle

Poway Adult School:  Healing Therapy Through Art:  Zentangle®
Instructor:  Janet Masey, Certified Zentangle Teacher
ZERO ART EXPERIENCE NECESSARY 

Zentangle has been proven to help with depression, chronic medical conditions, anxiety, bereavement, addiction, cancer treatment, essential tremors  & Parksinson's (eye/hand coordination), pain/anger management, PTSD, early development of art for children, self confidence and self-esteem.

2/3/18:  Twelve eager folks joined me today for a three hour Zentangle class at Poway Adult School in Poway, California.

First Hour:  Introduction to Zentangle (basic Zentangle - like Kindergarten).
Learning the basic Introduction to Zentangle Method. Zentangle creates beautiful images by drawing structured patterns – during the process you relax, focus – healing art.  We covered the history, philosophy, applications and steps of creating an original Zentangle tile. This unique, different approach to drawing will leave you thirsty for more.  

2nd Hour: Beyond Basic Zentangle (like jumping to sixth grade).
The students learned more complex patterns, embellishments, shading, strings theory, step-outs, tangleations (variation of patterns), tango (two patterns together.), and tracing a subject.   

3rd Hour:  We created a whimsical project called a ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art), using the Zentangle Method.  I shared some information on coloring Zentangle art with my favorite - watercolor pencils and blending pen.                                
 
Not many folks know what The Zentangle Method is.  To my surprise during class, David Guzman, Poway Adult School VP, dropped into class, and saw the enthusiasm of the class and art they were working on  He said right there in class, "let's offer a second class this semester.  I always say, "you don't get it till you do it".  It is an amazing, unique new art method -  HEALING ART.

Zentangle is a secret gem.  When will you start your Zentangle journey?

Thanks Poway Adult School for the opportunity to share The Zentangle Method and wonderful class with very generous materials to take home.  It felt like Christmas for my students.  

                        

This was our first tile (that's what we call the paper we draw on).  After you complete your tile, you can arrange them like mosaic tiles.

Our whimsical Dr. Seuss tiles before adding color - their homework.


Black and white before color:

Poway Adult School rocks.  If you are in the area... check out their awesome classes.  You can even learn to play the ukulele.  I highly recommend that class of course, after you take my Zentangle class.

Me with my ukulele and hula outfit.