By Emma Betuel

on November 12, 2019

Filed Under Health, Medicine & Teens

On Monday, the World Health Organization’s Regional Office of Europe dove deep into the art world. In a new report, it channeled its considerable power and resources towards investigating whether art really could be a powerful form of medicine — ultimately suggesting art can be therapeutic, and boosting its credibility in the process.

Art therapy isn’t a new field. The journal Art Therapy for instance, has been around since 1969. But it’s taken fifty years for the idea that art could be used as medicine to catch the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO). This report demonstrates that a leading global health power has finally taken notice.

Over the years, scientists have looked at art as a way to keep people mentally and physically healthy. In this report, WHO reviewed the results of over 900 art therapy-related studies, and noted that all together, art really does influence mental and physical health.

The report states that, overall, these findings “lend credibility to the assertion that the overall evidence base shows a robust impact of the arts on both mental and physical health.”

Tangle Folk Elf Greeting Card

For our monthly Zentangle meetup at Kensington/Normal Heights Library in San Diego, California, we found tangle folk.

Billie Lauder, CZT, designed a cute little art design that created one continuous string(line) tangle folk.  I waited patiently for her Tangle folk book to come out, but unfortunately she passed away before it was published.

Fourteen of us got into the Holiday spirit today.  Elf on the shelf?  Where will you find your elf this year?

Nothing Scary About This Scarecrow

The monthly Zentangle class at North Clairemont Library in San Diego, CA, we created a Fall Scarecrow Coloring Page. I promote not having to purchase coloring books, but design your own page with the Zentangle Method if you like coloring.   Typically Zentangle classes don't include much coloring.  The patterns speak for theirselves.  Being a meditative art method, when you add color, you have to think, what type of color, how many colors, where to put the colors, what colors work well together?  No so meditative - actually a little stressful. Coloring adds time to a class - I'd rather teach "tangles". So many tangles, so little time..

 When I design this adorable little guy - I just had to teach as a class.  It took me back to my tole painting classes when I was in my 20's. A long time ago.


Whether you choose to leave black and white with shading, or color in  - still is adorable.

Below, Julie and Stephanie (if my memory doesn't fail me),  was their first Zentangle class.  They did a great job. 

Zentangle was design for those intimidated by art.  Every class is not difficult even if you haven't had the basic Zentangle class.  I would encourage you to take because you learn so much about the background of this amazing secret gem.

Happy Thanksgiving Tanglers

San Ysidro goes Robotic

Rain, heavy traffic, and a 50 minutes drive, it was worth it.  I finally got a glimpse of the newly awaited, brand new San Ysidro Library.  They went  from a historical Mission style library: 

To this state of the arts huge, beautiful wonderland for the community complete with a outdoor theatre.  WOW.

Today's class:  Zentangle kids art day.  Around 20 kids (and some eager adults to see what Zentangle is about) joined me to create a fun project that never leaves them disappointed - Zentangle Robot Bookmark.  I love to see the embellishments that are made to their very own project.  

This adorable little girl had a fancy hat on.  A crochet Turkey Hat.  I loved it. She sported it with sass!

My favorite phrase from the kids after class:  What are we doing next?
A Zentangle class always leaves them thirsty for more. 

University Community Library Getting Ready for Gift Giving

At University Community Library in San Diego, SoCal, we got busy anticipating the Holidays coming.  Not only for December Holidays, but every gift you give, you can use the Zentangle Method and create adorable gift tags.  Today's class was Zentangle All Occasion Gift Tags.

All sixteen tangler's tried several ideas how to decorate a personalized gift tag.  We even designed a gift tag for that gift of wine.

Using tan, white, blue and green cardstock, and black & white Gelly roll pens, we simply created our gift tags.


Simple enough to find a tangle (that's what we call the patterns) like Rumpus or Umble and design a mono tangle (just one) on our gift tag.  We used Auraknot for our Star of David with Crescent Moon around the outside.

Give it a try this Holiday - impress your friends and family with the beauty of Zentangle.

This was an adorable ten year old's second Zentangle class.  I love her art work.

Awesome job!!!

Zentangle Me Red

Kim and Judy, have joined me in many of my Zentangle classes over the years.  Recently, they asked me to teach the Zentangle Method at one of their Red Hat Society Meetings. First Kim and I talked about scheduling an Introduction to Zentangle class, then decided on a project that connected to this group. I created a class just for them. 

I wasn't familiar with the purpose of the group that I had heard of for so many year..... The Red Hat Society is an international society of women that connects, supports and encourages women in their pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment and fitness while supporting members in the quest to get the most out of life.

This is Kim and Judy

Love these ladies faces as they see how simple the Zentangle Method is.  Zentangle was designed for those intimidated by art.  

Below is Gwen's art piece.  She mentioned she didn't like her work because her lines weren't straight.  That is the beauty of the method.  Her piece has an abstract flair to it and looks like she intended on doing that.  No rulers, no erasers, no mistakes.  You just takes a different direction.  Great job Gwen.

Below is a red hatter (sorry, I can't remember her name) but she makes these very interesting neck scarfs.  Begins with beautiful mostly silk ties, and turns them into a gorgeous work of at.  Amazing idea.

All thirteen ladies had a good time, including me. 

I was invited to share lunch after class.  Subway sandwich's and baked BBQ chips.  Best surprise dessert, Kim baked Moonpie's but with pumpkin instead of chocolate.  OMG -  to die for.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie

I loved talking to the ladies about what The Red Hat Society means to them.  What a great idea of how to support women and meet new friends.  

I got to be a member for just a moment.  I found out wearing a purple hat is only for your birthday month.  It wasn't my birthday but I had a purple top on and who doesn't love this color?

Judy brought some of her Zentangle pumpkins to decorate the tables with. Good idea. 

Thankes to Kim, Judy and Sylia who let us use her community room.  Gorgeous view.