How I Organize Zentangle® Patterns I’ve Learned?

Dylusions® Spray

So, I have all these journals from Moleskin to Hand-Book to Piccadilli and so on.  But what I really wanted was to be able to practice the tangles and when I felt confident, draw a very nice final copy and keep it for future reference.  Eliminating the need to keep them all in my crowded head or have to go to my computer to check a web or a YouTube video, and so on.  Using these journals for practice seem a little wasteful to me.  Why you ask, well because I have many OCD’s and one seem to be collecting journals and then loving the paper so much I don’t what to ruin it.  Yes that’s nuts but there lies my confession:  I love journals, and the feel of a good quality paper.  What can I say?  Some women like chocolates and roses, I like paper.  Lots of it.  I think I need to see a paper therapist, HA!

So with compulsive behavior aside I got a SN@P™ Simple Stores Binder Kit (used a coupon at Michael’s) and they have these sheet inserts that have pockets that come in different sizes (on sale!) with some chipboard dividers.  With my OCD along for the ride I took a pad of Strathmore Bristol Vellum Paper Pad (which I got at a buy one get one free sale, mind you) and took a few pages out.   

GelliArts® Print

Very patiently while watching a Perry Mason episode, which by the way I am obsessed with since I was just 9-years-old, I measured the pockets on the sheet inserts of the binder then drew 3in. x 4in squares on the 11in by 14in vellum paper pages.  The 3in by 4in cards fit just right in the pockets leaving enough room to easily take them out of the pockets.  To cut the square I used my very handy X-Acto™ paper trimmer and went to town cutting these squares out.  It really is therapy for me, you know.  All you hear is the courtroom drama and the whoosh of the blade cutting through paper.  Music to my ears!

SN@p Inserts

After all the drawing and cutting I had a nice little stack of these beauties and now I was ready to start practicing my tangle patterns.  After a few days I notice my binder was a little plain and decided it needed some personality.  Out came my Gelli Arts™ printed paper (more on this great product in future posting) and some stamps and one hour later Voila! (See the picture?)  I think is pretty cute, at least for my personality.  Now I have my very own customized Zentangle® Library Binder.  If I keep this Zentagle® thing going I think I’m going to need to do some more cutting.  Oh well I still have Season 3 – Vol. 2 of Perry Mason to watch.

My Zentangle® Binder

Be safe and always look for your creative joy,

WonderingMindField

What is Zentangle®?

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.

You learn how to create structured patterns that come together to form a beautiful art image.  It helps you relax, focus, and build confidence, especially when you finish and see how a few simple patterns can come together to create an interesting and beautiful image.  Tangles are normally created in a 3.5 square white paper tile and are drawn with a #01 Micron Archival ink pen.  If you visit www.zentangle.com you can find a number of blog listings of certified Zentangle® teachers all around the USA and many other countries.

I personally took a class about a month ago with Jean Theurkauf from www.artofthetangle.com and got to learn a little about this method.  I am by no means an expert but I really loved it and hope to some day in the near future be good enough to be certified.  Lots of practicing going on!!!

First Solo Zentangle® 

If you can, check out the web site and maybe take a class near your home.  Some of these classes are quite reasonably priced, I paid around $30 for a 2 hour class and I did not have to bring anything.  Ms. Theurkauf provided us with a few tiles, pen and pencil.

Another web site I have found is really informative is www.tanglepatterns.com by Linda Farmer, CZT.  She has a lot of information and links as well as many, many patterns with instructions and artists’ information.  If you provide your email you get frequent updates on patterns and the site is a free resource site, but she does welcome donations to support her efforts and hard work in keeping the site running.

Another very useful resource for me has been YouTube® where there are some pretty talented people out there doing all kinds of Zentangle® art and Zentangle^®-inspired art. 

I personally like Ellen Wolters’ tutorial videos, since she goes at a reasonable pace to teach you how to create some pretty cool patterns.

I will post some information as well as some of my attempts at Zentangle® on my Zentangle^® page (to be created soon after I post this!!).

Be safe and always look for your creative joy,

WonderingMindField

Looking for Creative Joy for My Soul

 It comes a time when you really need to take care of those little things that keep your mind and spirit from wilting away.  In the past year I have come to realize that I need to take care of myself better and that I need to nourish my creative soul.  I used to find joy in coming up with new ideas to make what at the time (15 years ago!!) was just little crafts to decorate my home or little scrapbook layout to place a few dear pictures.  Just an outlet to escape the stresses on my life; work, husband, child, family and responsibilities that could and at time would swallow the inner me.  

We women tend to wear many hats and assume many responsibilities and then we try to juggle them all at the same time.  What happens is that we go into auto pilot and forget about that engine that is keeping all these hats in the air going around and around.  Well like any engine it needs maintenance or after a few hundred miles they start whining and if ignored then the inevitable happens, they self-destruct.

Creating, even in small forms, is the maintenance that my soul needs.  I am a perfectionist and as we all know, nothing is ever perfect.  When I’m creating I have to let control take the back seat and let my creative spirit and soul take over.  I am by no means a Picasso or even have a third of the talent that is out there but I am me. My mind is at peace when I have paint in my hands, pencils and markers by my side, colorful papers and journals waiting for me to bring life to them.  

I let life and the world around me take away that mind peace for a while, but now is my time to take it back and to hopefully inspire and others to do the same.   Like I said before I am no expert and a total beginner in many ways, but what counts (at least in my mind) is that I find myself again and some the creative joy that will nourish my soul.  Hey no matter how bad the art comes out, what needs to matter is that at least I find peace for my mind, a few minutes at time.  Is has to be better that Prozac®, right?

I am currently experimenting with Art Journals and a new obsession called Zentangle® (www.zentangle.com).  I hope to post some of my beginner’s work and since I’m a pretty tough chic I will gladly accept constructive criticism (just don’t be mean, no need for that).  

From a soul looking for inspiration to another, have a Great Day!!!

wonderingmindfield