Читать книгу The Beauty of Zentangle - Suzanne McNeill - Страница 8

Introduction:
Ignite Your Creativity with Beautiful Zentangle Art

Although it might seem simple, “the beauty of Zentangle” is a phrase encompassing many aspects of the Zentangle method and Zentangle art. Even for individuals who have never seen a Zentangle piece before, the beauty of the art is immediately apparent, whether it’s through the striking black and white patterns of a classic Zentangle, the natural symmetry of a Zendala, or the bright colors of a ZIA. Zentangle art draws on mindful patterns that can be found all around us in our daily lives, giving the art a natural feel that just seems “right.”

Beyond the beauty of the art, though, is the beauty of the Zentangle method, which has the power to transform. Thousands of individuals practice the Zentangle method with thousands of different positive results, including increased self-confidence, a new ability to focus and solve problems, and a rejuvenated sense of inspiration and creativity. Individuals have used the Zentangle method for pain management, to cope with mental illness, for meditation, and simply to take a break from a hectic life and relax. Practicing the Zentangle method is an experience that is unique to each person and their own life, and the positive results are tremendous.

Beauty by Donna Hornsby, CZT

About the Book

My own journey with Zentangle began with a chance email from a friend. The email contained a link to zentangle.com with the note, “You might be interested in this…” You may know that I love all types of handwork—painting, journaling, mixed media, sculpting, quilting, embroidery—if it is creative or made by hand, I love it. So it should not be surprising that I loved the look of what I saw on the Zentangle website and wanted to get started right away. I ordered a kit and could feel my interest in drawing tangles growing.

Soon, I saw a post on zentangle.com about a class being offered in Massachusetts. Although Massachusetts is quite far from where I live in Texas, I fly to Boston when I’m on my way to visit my daughter in Maine. I signed up right away, excited by the opportunity to take a class about an art form that was new to me and to visit my daughter. I guess I was so excited about taking the class that I didn’t read the fine print, because I didn’t realize until I arrived in Massachusetts that the class was for individuals who wanted to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT)!

The CZT Network

The number of CZTs (Certified Zentangle Teachers) worldwide is constantly growing. Each one has attended a four-day seminar with Zentangle method creators Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas to receive their certification. Learning directly from the creators gives these individuals the greatest understanding of the Zentangle method, making them an excellent resource if you are seeking to learn more about Zentangle.

With their vast and growing numbers, there is likely a CZT in your area. Locating a CZT is simple. The Zentangle website (zentangle.com) contains a list of CZTs with their contact information, so finding a CZT is as simple as clicking a link. If you are interested in learning more about the Zentangle method, please reach out to a CZT near you.

To make a long story short, during the class, I fell in love with the Zentangle method and its developers, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. During my time in Massachusetts, I met many amazing people from all over the world and had the opportunity to visit Rick and Maria’s home, studio, and gallery. It was an incredibly inspiring experience. Upon returning home, my love for Zentangle did not dim. I drew tangle tiles every night and shared the Zentangle method with my family and friends.

Many people asked me to teach them the Zentangle method, but I just didn’t have time for every request. Soon, I realized that a small book on the subject would be very helpful. With the blessing of Rick and Maria, I gathered up my sample tiles, samples from my sketchbook journal, and original tangles and published a small booklet. Soon, Zentangle Basics was ready for readers to enjoy. I followed the first Zentangle booklet with a new one every six months, and then, the opportunity to create this book arose.

Fox Chapel Publishing and I have continued to produce Zentangle books together, but recently we discussed enthusiasm for a book that would feature tangled art from individuals around the world. The book would be an inspiration piece for anyone and everyone, from people who had never heard of the Zentangle method to those who had been practicing it for years. Being part of the Zentangle community is a wonderful experience. I knew there were amazing Zentangle artists out there and that they were producing fabulous art. This book seemed like the perfect way to share their talents.

Fellow CZT Cindy Shepard and I began contacting tanglers and CZTs around the world about this exciting opportunity. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Every day was like Christmas, with emails flying in and packages of beautiful artwork arriving in the mail. And the art was more fabulous than we could have imagined. It was so exciting (and just a little hectic!) to talk with tanglers across the globe and to see their stunning creations. Now that it is all in one place, I hope you enjoy viewing this art as much as we enjoyed gathering it for you.

Growth by Virginia Dejewska Slawson, CZT

Loopy Tangles by Jella Verelst, CZT

Fancy Shoe by Judy Lehman, CZT

United States of America—Map of the Contiguous States by Jennifer Perruzzi, CZT

The artwork in The Beauty of Zentangle enraptures the mind, engages attention, and fires up creativity. This amazing collection of Zentangle-inspired art encompasses a universal range of styles. Included are stunning works from CZTs and breakthrough artists, as well as inventive tangles that are at the forefront of a new wave of creative expression and personal freedom.

This collection of art was created by artists and CZTs who love the Zentangle method and have felt its impact in their lives. They are from around the world, representing places such as Africa, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Taiwan, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom. The book contains website and blog information for many of these individuals, and I encourage you to visit these sites so you can learn more about their experience with the Zentangle method. Many of these CZTs also teach classes.

More important, while I encourage you to reach out to the artists in this book, I also encourage you to try the Zentangle method for yourself. The Beauty of Zentangle celebrates the simple, elegant design of Zentangle art. The exquisite nature of the pieces in this collection may initially lead you to conclude that Zentangle is an elite art form for trained artists and CZTs only. This is not the case at all. Anyone who can hold a pen can learn to tangle and create stunning art, just like the art found on these pages. I hope that once you start tangling, you’ll not only create beautiful art, but will feel the impact of the Zentangle method in your life.

What is Zentangle?

Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas developed the Zentangle method of mindful pattern drawing to make art accessible to everyone. As they say, “Anything is possible, one stroke at a time,” and this is the experience you will have each time you sit down to tangle.

Often thought of as only a drawing technique, the Zentangle method is actually so much more. The process is relaxing, calming, mindful, and intended to spur creativity. The ritual can help anyone experience a meditative calm, solve problems, and turn perceived mistakes into positives. Most people feel such a sense of accomplishment once they start tangling that they don’t want to stop. Drawing simple tangles is a wonderful way to release the artist within, to explore your own creativity, and to build self-confidence.

Sharon Lynn Payne, CZT, with her high-top tangled boots.

In less than a decade, the Zentangle method has become a worldwide phenomenon, attracting individuals of all ages and from all walks of life. There are many beauties in the Zentangle process:

The Zentangle method is for everyone.You don’t have to be a trained artist to practice the Zentangle method; you don’t even need to be able to draw. Similar to handwriting, it is a process that can be learned with practice. And similar to handwriting, each person’s will be a little different and have its own signature look.

The Zentangle method provides the benefits of meditation.Whether you are working on a tile or just one tangle, the benefits of a slower heart rate, improved breathing, and a relaxed state of being can be accomplished. Furthermore, you can create beautiful art and obtain these benefits in an evening.

You can tangle on anything.You don’t need expensive tools for this art form. Zentangle art only requires paper, pen, and pencil. But you also don’t have to limit yourself to these items. If it stands still long enough, tangle on it! Almost any surface can be tangled to add distinctive design and express your creativity. Think purses, hats, shoes, shirts, sunglasses, and even cell phone cases. There’s a world of surfaces waiting to become a canvas for Zentangle art. Just go for it and enjoy the compliments and rave reviews your art receives.

The Zentangle method builds friendship and family connections.The Zentangle method offers a beautiful way to connect with other people who share a passion for creativity. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced tangler, there is nothing more energizing than sitting at a table with other passionate Zentangle enthusiasts. Friendships form, ideas are shared, and minds are opened to new possibilities. Beyond that, it’s always more fun to create art with a friend—and the more the merrier. Sharing the Zentangle experience in a group amplifies the creative energy, expands ideas, and multiplies the fun.

I personally like to make tangling a family affair. Because it can be done by individuals of all ages, tangling is a wonderful way to engage in some quality mother/daughter, or grandfather/granddaughter time. My grandchildren enjoy sitting together at the kitchen table as they tangle on T-shirts. My sister and I look forward to getting together to make tangled greeting cards, and even though Grandma’s hand is a little shaky, her eyes light up when we tangle together.

Sharon Lynn Payne, CZT, Carol Knight, CZT, Angie Vangalis, CZT, and Shawn Hayden, CZT, enjoy time together as they work to complete a floor cloth with Roc-lon Multi-Purpose cloth and large black Sakura Permapaque markers.

Cristie R. Campo, CZT, and her daughter Kaylei spend time together as they tangle on paper tiles.

There are no mistakes.The real beauty of the Zentangle method lies in the fact that there are no mistakes. No eraser is needed. Like every person, there are hundreds of variations, and each tangle is unique and beautiful. Life is a building process. All events and experiences are incorporated into our learning process and into life patterns. Zentangle designs grow in the same manner. If a line grows in an unexpected place, tangle around it or inside of it. Make the new lines part of the structure.

To give the Zentangle method a try, take a class with your local CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher). A teacher may invite new scenarios, provide an experience, give you support, and take you deeper into the process. Visit zentangle.com for a list of CZTs in your area so you can begin your journey with the Zentangle method. If you are interested in becoming a CZT, Rick and Maria lead certification seminars several times each year.

Zentangle and You

In the end, there is so much to say about the beauty of Zentangle, and I hope the art on these pages and the information about the artists who created it will give you an idea of the type of experience you can have using the Zentangle method.

In the end, the experience is what you make it, so get inspired by these creative art pieces, let go of your inhibitions about your artistic ability, and get out there and create your own beautiful Zentangle art!

Enjoy the journey.

—Suzanne McNeill, CZT