Hanging with Zentangle

What was hanging around at Kensington/Normal Heights Library in San Diego 9/28/19?  That's right, Zentangle Kandy Korn Door Hanger.

With Fall amongst us and candy corn on the table, we spent two hours tracing, tangling, coloring, gluing, corner rounding, and laminating our Zentangle Kandy Korn project today.

Thanks Monica for bringing yet another friend to class.  Welcome Colleen, to the beginning of your Zentangle journey. I think she liked Zentangle.  After class she signed up for upcoming Kensington library Zentangle classes. Tangling is always more fun with a friend.  Terry and Allison, an adorable cute little couple, get to most Zentangle classes at this location and enjoy tangling together.

Here are several of our projects today.  They are so cute.

Please support City Libraries and the Friends of the Library to continue offering no fee classes like Zentangle.  One way to support library is to purchase books from their bookshelf for sale, or watch for book sale events.  Join FRIENDS OF LIBRARY annually for $10/seniors $5.

Osher Lands Zentangle in Classroom

One of my students suggested to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SDSU, the program would benefit from having Zentangle classes.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at San Diego State University offers
intellectually stimulating, university-quality courses for students age 50 and better.
There are no tests or grades, just the thrill of learning with like-minded peers.

 Long story short - today, 9/24/19, was my first Zentangle class.  What a delight to teach here.  The room was beautiful with executive tables and chairs for each participant.  Thirty three new to "the Zentangle Method" joined me and began their Zentangle journey.

We started at the beginning - Introduction to Zentangle - we call it "Zendergarten" (like Kindergarten).  Zentangle is a progression from basic to no limit where Zentangle Method can take you. Whether on paper, canvas, metal, wood, gourdes, fabric - Zentangle transfers to any media.

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

The viewing of everyone's creation is a fun part of class. Each tile (that is what we call the paper) the same, but with their own interpretation of instruction. 

Zentangle only takes 15-20 minutes to complete.  If you need a break from stress or problem-at-hand, you can clear your mind and Zentangle.

We even had a raffle.  Her smile says it all.  One lucky lady.

Check out the Osher Lifelong Institute and see all their fabulous classes.

I'll be back teaching a series of Zentangle classes in the Spring Catalog.

https://ces.sdsu.edu/osher-lifelong-learning-institute-sdsu

Zentangle Flower Collage

Fall may have just started in San Diego, but at University Community Library in University City (San Diego) we found lots of beautiful blooms.  Seventeen joined me today creating a Zentangle Flower Collage.

Fellow CZT, Susan Bowden, also joined class today.   Great to have you in class my friend.

Using Gray tone paper, black pen and white Gelly roll pen for shading instead of graphite, we choose  different tangles that look like flowers for each box.  Learning 15 new tangles was a feat in two hours, but we did it.  Good job ladies.

Please support the city/county libraries and Friends of Library to continue receiving no fee classes.  Join FRIENDS OF LIBRARY - only annually $10/seniors $5. Visit the books for sale and score on the book sale events throughout the year.

Zentangle finally lands at Cardiff by-the-Sea Library

Cardiff by-the-Sea Library - San Diego North County

Thanks to a very innovative librarian seeking fresh, new, unique classes to bring to the library, Zentangle came to eighteen eager folks, 9/21/19.  Thanks Christin for reaching out.

 For the Family Day event,  I prepared a Zentangle giraffe project. When teaching kids, I bring more of a "fun" theme.  At start of class, there were 11 adults and no kids.    With only adults in class, I changed gears to bring best class for my audience - switching project to Introduction to Zentangle.  About 15 minutes into class kids started arriving.  

The Zentangle Method is a "progression of steps" to create. Thanks Christin getting the kids started and up to speed.  With the simplicity of Zentangle, the kids still had fun drawing the basic Zentangle tile.   They were able to take giraffe outline home to add patterns they learned or create their own designs.

I asked Christin to cut 4 x 4 white cardstock for the impromptu class. She found some soft blue marble/orange cardstock on hand.  Using the Zentangle Method, there is zero experience necessary, no rulers, no eraser, no mistakes.  Sometimes a simple change (as in color of paper) makes a new exciting outcome.  

Any age can complete an original Zentangle tile. The Zentangle Method is a meditative art method -  abstract with no up or down.  The co-founders designed the method for those intimidated by art.
    During the process you relax, focus and get into a state of well-being - happy place.  If you can
    draw a circle and straight line -  you got this.  You never know what your art will look like until
    you are finished. 

    Below is Penelope and her brother, the boy scout, art work. Both kids did a fantastic job.
    Penelope is only five and did a super job.   If you can write your name, you can tangle. 

At end of class, I ask students to fill out a short evaluation to get response to Zentangle class.

I'm always delighted that the response is super positive and usually check the box -

WE WANT MORE ZENTANGLE CLASSES AT THIS LOCATION.  

                              Warning comes with class:  Zentangle can be addictive

One Book Series - Ramona Library meets Zentangle

What is One Book, One San Diego?

In its 12^th year, One Book, One San Diego is a community reading program. It is a partnership between KPBS (link is external), San Diego Public Library, and the San Diego County Library (link is external), and a long list of other community partners found below. The purpose of the program is to bring together our community and encourage residents to join together in the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. The program also encourages participation in related events, discussions of the ideas raised in the featured books, and examination of how these ideas connect with our daily lives and local communities.

• Age Range: 10 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 5 - 7
• Series: The Crossover Series

New York Times bestseller ∙ Newbery Medal Winner ∙Coretta Scott King Honor Award ∙2015 YALSA 2015 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults∙ 2015 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers ∙Publishers Weekly Best Book ∙ School Library Journal Best Book∙ Kirkus Best Book

Using a copied book page out of the Crossover, the teens created a string with the Zentangle Method, then applied "tangles" (that's what we call the patterns).

Verse:

Basketball rule #3

"never let anyone

lower your goals.

Others' expectations
of you are determined

by their limitations

of life.

The sky is our limit, sons.

Always shoot 

for the sun

and you will shine.

Tangles used:  Rainking, Betweed, Kuke, Henna Drum, Printemps, 'nzepple

Thanks to Collen (Ramona Branch Manager) and Melody (Teens Services Librarian)

for scheduling Zentangle classes.