The magic of sharing and teaching Zentangle!

This afternoon, 5 students took the Introduction to Zentangle class. We had those "WOW!" moments when the tiles started to take shape, and then even more when we shaded the tangles. Between this class, and the one on May 29, I think that we're going to see a lot more tangling going on!


Here are the new tanglers/friends from this afternoon's class:

Michael, Hazel, Susi, Mary, and Jana!




 

 

  ...... And here are their beautiful tiles!   

                                        

New Friends and Tanglers!

Last Friday, three great tanglers (and new friends) came to my Intro to Zentangle class at Jerry's Artarama in Fort Collins, Co. We had a wonderful time together. They all appreciated the philosophy and process of Zentangle and did a fantastic job with their tiles. More classes are being scheduled!
~ Happy tangling!

Thor, Penny, Kelly, and me!

Tangle U ~

I recently attended Tangle U, which is an annual continuing education conference for Certified Zentangle Teachers. We had 3 days packed with classes, ideas, inspiration, and friendship~ what a combination! The classes were all taught by CZT's, and I came home with SO many techniques and ideas that I want to work on and share with my students!
In addition to the classes you see posted here, there were wonderful presentations by Amy Broady (Tangle Tales ~ great information on how many of her tangle came to life), Kate Lamontagne (making a dream catcher , using Prismacolor pencil techniques), Suzanne McNeill (watercolor and tangling with "Beauty in Blue"), and Brenda Shaver (Teaching the Challenging class), and Patricia Carney (Tangled Goddesses). I wish I could have attended them ALL . . . but it's a trick to be three places at once! Needless to say, there was endless inspiration. In upcoming posts, I'll share how I've used all of this new knowledge!

Elaine Huffman introducing Anne Grasso before
Anne's class on Mindfulness with Zendalas.

The birth of a Zendala!

Minette Riordan teaching her Zentangle Business class.

"It's good to be a Diva!" with Terri Oliver Young

Shawn Hayden, myself, Pat Mathes, Sue Clark, and Dorian Eng.
Zentangle does attract some of the most wonderful people!

                                     

                                           A mosaic of Zentangle tiles inspired by Talavera tiles of the Southwest.

 

Maria Vennekens teaching the Travel book class.

This is the travel book we made in Maria's class.
The hold Zentangle tiles and pens, and
 are based on Chinese sewing kits.

Karen Sandoval having a "WOW" moment .
Don't you just LOVE those??

Karin Tarter showing her "Zentangle-inspired" tote.

Sharla Hicks teaching her beautiful botanical style
with "Mooka Blues".

My first "Mooka blues" tile!

Tim and I performed music for the Saturday night banquet.

Illuminated letter: the process of a Zentangle-inspired-art piece.

     Last Saturday, I had a wonderful time participating in an Illuminated Letter workshop at Sue Clark's house. (See her blog at: www.TangledInkArt.blogspot.com) Seven of us created Zentangle-inspired-art pieces on Opus tiles, which are 10"x10". We all shared ideas and inspirations, and had a good start to our pieces. . . . . and a big "thanks" to Pat Mathes for pointing me in the direction of David Nicholl's tutorials on drawing Celtic knots!
After 5 hours, (which included a pot-luck lunch!) we took our tiles home to finish individually.

 



 I had SO much fun working on this piece, from finding the right letter form, to dividing the tile with strings, to playing with composition and tangles! The possibilities are truly endless!

      That being said, here are some photos to show you the process of this Opus tile:

ENJOY! .... and happy tangling!

Wonderful memories of teaching new tanglers in Florida!

We've packed up our things, and made our semi-yearly trek back to Colorado. I'm thinking of all of the wonderful people in Nokimis, Fl. who became 'new tanglers' when they took my 'Intro to Zentangle' classes. Everyone was wonderful, and it was a true joy to teach these students! Here are some of the photos of the last Intro classes that were taught. (Earlier classes were shown in previous posts!)

Annie, Bea, Gail, Laura, and Sherree!

    

Diane, Barb, Barb, Jane, Jan, Kathy!

Ginger, Rick, Vicky, Sue, and Jazz!

Sharon, Tracy, Lisa, Sue, Helen, Barb ....

....With new 'Tangle-ears"!!!

Spreading the word about Zentangle during the craft show at Royal Coachman!

So . . . What Can You Do With Your Tiles and Tangles?

                                                           ~~~Drum roll, please ~~~

Before I touch on my title subject, here's some 'show and tell' from two of my students who very recently took an Introduction to Zentangle class! I'm so happy when students become excited about Zentangle!

Steve Reeser did this beautiful tile a week after taking the Intro to Zentangle class.  He's a real tangler!

Karen Schaack collected shells and tangled on them. I **love** these!

I was asked during my last Intro To Zentangle class: "What can you do with your completed tiles?" It's a good question, and somewhat difficult to answer because there are so many possibilities!

One idea that I gave was to do a RAZ: a Random Act of Zentangle. Simply write a note on the back of your tile something like, "Smile! You have received a Zentangle tile! It is yours to keep, or give away! Enjoy!". Then, leave your tile in a public place such as on on the sugar/cream table at a coffee shop or sticking out (prominently!) on a shelf in a bookstore, etc. What a wonderful surprise for someone to find. You might just make someone's day a lot brighter!

A RAZ left in the waiting room of a doctor's office.

You can also attach your tile to card stock, write a message inside, and give it to someone. There's nothing like creating truly handmade work of art to share with someone!  A card such as this would have so much more personal meaning to it, as compared to a mass produced card!

 

You can use completed tiles in an art journal, as part of the illustration. You can simply attach your tile to the journal page, or incorporate it in more depth as part of a collage.

     This is an example of a Zendala

 ('mandala' + 'Zentangle' = 'Zendala') 

that was made from a snowflake template! 

  . . . and, of course, you can definitely frame those favorites of your, and display them for everyone to enjoy!

A true Zentangle advocate!

~~Thanks so much for visiting! I would love to hear your ideas or comments!

More Zentangle in the Nokomis/Sarasota Florida area!

     I am constantly amazed at how people who are new to Zentangle start out by saying, "I can't do that" . . . . and then end up saying, "Wow! I did that!".
   
SO ~ WHAT IS ZENTANGLE?

1. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS: You don't need any previous training or "artistic talent" to learn this art form.  The process is created "one stroke at a time", where each step is just one line! If you can draw a line, a circle, and a 'S', then you can do Zentangle!
   "The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being." 
   Zentangle can: 
   

   • increase your focus,
   • help you relax,
   • inspire your creativity,
   • improve teamwork,
   • build your confidence,
   • change your outlook.
   Today a wonderful group of new Zentangle students came for an introductory class. We had a cozy time to tangle as it rained outside! Here are a few photos of our finished tiles ~ Each one is so unique and beautiful. 
   

   

   
   
   

   

   
   

   

   As a Certified Zentangle Teacher, I absolutely love seeing these tiles "come to life", with the individual styles of each student! We all learn from each other . . . . and then, when each tile is shaded, completed, signed, and admired, there is that "WOW!" moment.