the activities around me. What I didn’t consciously realize at the time, but do now, is that I was using art as my therapy—and Zentangle sat firmly in the middle of that therapy. My psychiatrist thought it was magic.
Before I knew it, I was signing up to return to the United States to attend a Certified Zentangle® Teaching seminar, the training necessary to become a CZT. At that stage, there were no CZTs in Australia, and after the tumultuous year I’d had, it was something I needed to do. I felt it was a fulfilment of the journey I’d unwittingly begun the year before. I got on the plane, not knowing if this would simply be a neat wrap-up of my year or the beginning of something else.
YOU’RE NOW READING THE RESULT OF THAT SOMETHING ELSE.
Since then, I’ve taught classes across Australia and New Zealand, from small classes all the way up to major expo crowds. It has been quite a ride, one that may never end, such is the importance of this wonderful drawing form in my life.
Zentangle remains therapeutic and relaxing for me. I’ve suffered from serious illness throughout my life. While producing the work in the pages that follow, I was diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. Some days are harder than others, and I am lucky to have found an activity that can calm my mind and distract me from the realities of my life right now. I do struggle sometimes with illness, depression, mortality (all the fun stuff!). I am a mere human after all. It’s so beneficial that I can turn to Zentangle, focus my mind, find a relaxed place in my soul and remember: This is life. It is now. And despite everything, it’s pretty awesome.
Zentangle has also brought many friends and kindred spirits into my life. Would I know them if not for the Internet? If not for Zentangle? Definitely not, yet their love and support means so much. When I was diagnosed again, many friends provided artwork for this book to reduce my workload. Initially I didn’t want contributors, but I can see now how much they bring to the pages that follow—and to me personally. I am so grateful for their generosity and talent, and I know you’ll appreciate them, too, as you come across their work.
I have finally found an artistic home, a foundation for what else I do. I hope you might find similar enjoyment from it.
DIAMONTE
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
PART ONE
CHAPTER 1
The Beginning
In the Beginning
PARADOXICAL
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
Beginning Zentangle is as easy as finding a pen and a surface. We’ll look at specific materials in a moment, but for now just know that if you have a pen on hand and the surface stays still long enough, it can be tangled on. Imagine the possibilities of that!
ZENTANGLE TAKES NO SPECIAL SKILLS.
Can you draw a circle? It need not be a perfect one. Can you draw a straight line —well, straight-ish? Great—you’re halfway there already. Bet you didn’t think it was that easy!
STARTING OFF
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
MOVING THROUGH
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
BEGINNING
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
FLUX
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
History of Zentangle
Created in 2005, the Zentangle® concept was born when calligrapher Maria Thomas described to her partner the sense of focus, well-being and relaxation she felt while creating background patterns on a manuscript. A former Buddhist monk, her partner, Rick Roberts, recognized this state as one of meditation. Together they worked toward creating a system that would teach and encourage others to experience the same sensations.
In the years since, the Zentangle concept has developed a worldwide following, with Certified Zentangle® Teachers in more than a dozen countries and active communities online.
MYSTERIA
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
Zentangle Facts
There are 110 “official” Zentangle® patterns.
There are more than three hundred Certified Zentangle® Teachers
Before I knew it, I was signing up to return to the United States to attend a Certified Zentangle® Teaching seminar, the training necessary to become a CZT. At that stage, there were no CZTs in Australia, and after the tumultuous year I’d had, it was something I needed to do. I felt it was a fulfilment of the journey I’d unwittingly begun the year before. I got on the plane, not knowing if this would simply be a neat wrap-up of my year or the beginning of something else.
YOU’RE NOW READING THE RESULT OF THAT SOMETHING ELSE.
Since then, I’ve taught classes across Australia and New Zealand, from small classes all the way up to major expo crowds. It has been quite a ride, one that may never end, such is the importance of this wonderful drawing form in my life.
Zentangle remains therapeutic and relaxing for me. I’ve suffered from serious illness throughout my life. While producing the work in the pages that follow, I was diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. Some days are harder than others, and I am lucky to have found an activity that can calm my mind and distract me from the realities of my life right now. I do struggle sometimes with illness, depression, mortality (all the fun stuff!). I am a mere human after all. It’s so beneficial that I can turn to Zentangle, focus my mind, find a relaxed place in my soul and remember: This is life. It is now. And despite everything, it’s pretty awesome.
Zentangle has also brought many friends and kindred spirits into my life. Would I know them if not for the Internet? If not for Zentangle? Definitely not, yet their love and support means so much. When I was diagnosed again, many friends provided artwork for this book to reduce my workload. Initially I didn’t want contributors, but I can see now how much they bring to the pages that follow—and to me personally. I am so grateful for their generosity and talent, and I know you’ll appreciate them, too, as you come across their work.
I have finally found an artistic home, a foundation for what else I do. I hope you might find similar enjoyment from it.
DIAMONTE
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
PART ONE
CHAPTER 1
The Beginning
In the Beginning
PARADOXICAL
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
Beginning Zentangle is as easy as finding a pen and a surface. We’ll look at specific materials in a moment, but for now just know that if you have a pen on hand and the surface stays still long enough, it can be tangled on. Imagine the possibilities of that!
ZENTANGLE TAKES NO SPECIAL SKILLS.
Can you draw a circle? It need not be a perfect one. Can you draw a straight line —well, straight-ish? Great—you’re halfway there already. Bet you didn’t think it was that easy!
STARTING OFF
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
MOVING THROUGH
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
BEGINNING
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
FLUX
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
History of Zentangle
Created in 2005, the Zentangle® concept was born when calligrapher Maria Thomas described to her partner the sense of focus, well-being and relaxation she felt while creating background patterns on a manuscript. A former Buddhist monk, her partner, Rick Roberts, recognized this state as one of meditation. Together they worked toward creating a system that would teach and encourage others to experience the same sensations.
In the years since, the Zentangle concept has developed a worldwide following, with Certified Zentangle® Teachers in more than a dozen countries and active communities online.
MYSTERIA
Sakura Pigma Micron pen, graphite pencil
Zentangle Facts
There are 110 “official” Zentangle® patterns.
There are more than three hundred Certified Zentangle® Teachers
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