The Beauty of Zen-gems

As you can see, I've  joined the Zen-gems bandwagon. I do love the format and the intricacies  involved in creating them. And the creations I see on Facebook just blow me away with their beauty!

But I keep reminding myself, this is ZIA- Zentangle  Inspired  Art. Not pure Zentangle.  I worry that people will become so wrapped up in the creation of these beauties that they will forget what the practice  of the Zentangle method  is all about.

 Color is wonderful. The 3D effects we can achieve  are wonderful. Exploring our abilities is wonderful.

But...but! The Zentangle  method is all about focusing on the moment. Being mindful. The focus I achieve  when creating a ZIA of ANY kind is not the same as when I practice  pure tangling. I certainly don't  find myself relaxing. I plan. I pick out colors. I worry about if my shading is correct or good enough.
That's  not the practice  of the Zentangle method.  The practice of the Zentangle method avoids planning. No colors. Don't  worry about where your light source is coming from.

Zentangle Method:

Breathe & relax
Gratitude& Appreciation
Corner dots
Border
String
Frame
Shade
Initial &sign
Appreciate



Let's not forget why we started the journey.




The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. "Zentangle" is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.

Tangled Dreams thanks to Zentangle

  I'm  very proud of my Zentangle  CZT certification. The days I was privileged  to spend with Maria, Rick and the Zentangle  group were some of the best I've  ever had.
  Since then, I've  very slowly started  sharing the Zentangle method with students through my classes. I currently  teach in Southern Oregon. When I travel to other states, I teach whenever I can.
  The wonderful thing about the Zentangle  method is you don't  have to be an "artist" to create these beautiful  pieces of art. No special equipment.  Just a pen, paper and pencil. Zentangle is a way to practice mindfulness. Allowing yourself  to be in the moment...not multitasking as we are all prone to do now. Practitioners have reported finding the method relaxes their minds, enabling them to calm themselves, have better focus and even sleep better. When the method is taught to students in school, it has been reported they have better retention of what is taught after and in some cases the practice  has decreased test anxiety.
  Currently, I have classes scheduled monthly at Scrappycraft in Phoenix, Oregon  on the 3rd Saturday  of each month. We do something a little different each month to allow my students to see just where the Zentangle  method can take them.
  I also have a class scheduled  at the Grants Pass  Museum  of Art  on March 28 from 6-9 PM and one at the Wild Rogue Emporium  on February 12 from 6:30-9 PM.
  In addition, I'm  pleased to have been invited to share the Zentangle  method with a charter school in Southern Oregon. The school has 80+ students  from K-5th grade. The school was awarded a grant to allow low-income children to have exposure to the arts. The students work will eventually be on display.




The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. "Zentangle" is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.