Zentangles

 I became acquainted with Zentangles after visiting one afternoon with my friend, Gail Blate.  She was preparing for a class on creating mandalas (which is also a very interesting process) and while showing me her Power Point presentation, she also showed me a UTube video with someone drawing a Zentangle.  He was doodling!  Just doodling, but how magical it was to see how those doodles came together to make something far greater than the sum of its parts.  I was immediately grabbed by it and wanted to draw one of my own.  Immediately.    I was spending some time by myself in a house with no television, no radio and no CD player so it was a perfect atmosphere.  I had such a good time doing it. The time just slipped by and, moreover, I was completely taken by surprise by what a meditative process it can be.  It was as if someone had gently laid a soothing hand across my restless spirit.
So . . . what is a Zentangle?  Here is a definition provided by the creators of Zentangles, Rick Thomas and Maria Roberts:
Meditational Artform



Zentangle’s non-verbal language of patterns and proportions can open doors to insights which seemed locked before. Creating Zentangles opens those doors, not because they were locked, but because those doors swing on non-verbal hinges. When you create a Zentangle you can enter a meditative state in which intuitive insights flow freely. Get inspirations, ideas and answers unhindered by expectations or worries.                                                                                                                                                                          

I was completely hooked and drew another one.  And another one.  And another one.  (It's a little addictive). 

As it happens, I am the Project Chairman for our art group challenges this year.  We have a

 Challenge once each quarter and I chose Zentangles for our focus this quarter with the only rule being that our Zentangles had to be on more than just paper.  They could be on cloth but they could also be on plastic, metal, wood--whatever.  Just not SOLELY on paper.  I found this book by Suzanne McNeill that features Zentangles by several quilters and it has served as an inspiration for us.

 I saw a picture of a stuffed cat with some embroidery on it in a catalogue recently and it seemed to me that it would translate perfectly into a project for Zentangles.  You can see here the beginning of my drawing.  For the finished project, I've chosen faux leather.  It's finished and I had so much fun--not only doing the drawing but also figuring out how to construct it and stuff it.    Check back later for the finished photo.

In the meantime, join in the fun--and relaxation-- and try your hand at it.  Get out some paper and a Sharpie fine point marker, find a quiet place with a good drawing surface and give yourself the gift to creation and refreshment.  You'll be surprised how many doodles are just waiting to be released!