Vista Boys/Girls Club Got Tangled Up Today

Lucky kids..... Soropotimist International of North County volunteered to treat the boys and girls to a fun Zentangle class.  Zentangle was new to all the kids.  We used the Zentangle Method to bling up a dragonfly.

Today was a big day for this little girl below.  Not only was she excited about learning Zentangle -

 it was the day to finally get her cast off.

At any age, Zentangle Method is for those intimidated by art. For those who are convinced they can't draw, Zentangle improves that barrier.   Zentangle looks complicated and intricate, yet easy enough for kids - seniors to complete.  If you can draw a circle and straight line - you can tangle.

Zentangle increases focus, creativity and provides artistic satisfaction.  Great early art development tool.  Zentangle also helps with:  handwriting, eye-hand coordination, problem solving, self-esteem, self confidence and IT'S FUN.

I taught the kids several Zentangle patterns (we call them tangles).  Each tangle has their own names  The names are unique to the pattern and nothing else. Being a meditative art, it helps to clear your thoughts when drawing.  Each pattern name should leave you thinking only of the lines and circles that are needed to create that particular pattern.  Here are a couple tangles we learned today:  Tipple, Keeko, Diva Dance.

When teaching kids, I like to leave one blank section for them to create their own tangle and a name to go with it.  Look how cool this "tangle" is a young girl designed.  LOVE IT.

Check out the other tangles they created.  Below, without knowing it, a boy created Knightsbridge tangle (looks like a checker board/black and white).

Below, this young boy started crying because he wasn't happy with his art and thought he wasn't doing it right.  I quickly went over to him and said "remember, there are no erasers, no rulers, no mistakes. That is the beauty of Zentangle - all our art will look different than each other.  Enjoy creating something unique and special".   He did stop crying and continued.  

It is about the process while you are drawing that is helpful to relax, focus and get into a "happy place".  No stress,

You can see from the pictures, as usual, they all loved Zentangle.  I asked them all to sign an evaluation of the class for the director and the results were all the same:  

                                          WE WANT MORE CLASSES

Best part of class for me is seeing all the happy faces.