Happines is ...

Boy oh boy, does that describe Zentangle, or what!!!

Here's a link to an interesting article entitled "Calm Down and Get Your Zentangle On!" that talks about the benefits of tangling!  https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/arts-and-health/201403/calm-down-and-get-your-zentangle  One of the many important points made in this article is how if we get caught up in the judgement and evaluation of our work, we are no longer in the present moment and therefore unable to enjoy the actual creative process of tangling!

Also, a link to a piece that was recently on ABC news talking about Zentangle and it's ability to help cancer patients with their anxiety:  http://abc27.com/2015/12/29/zentangle-helps-cancer-patients-untangle-anxious-thoughts/

I, myself, am living proof that tangling can reduce anxiety.  I have what is commonly known as white coat syndrome, which means that my blood pressure, which is normally low,  gets elevated in a clinical setting such as the doctors office.  I have tried everything -- talking to myself, deep breaths, etc. and have found the only thing that works is tangling for 10 to 15 minutes while in the waiting room.  How wonderful is that! 😀

And this months new tangle:

ANNEE by Sandy Steen Bartholomew

This tangle makes a beautiful border!

Here's a couple of Zentangles I made using Annee, but NOT as a border:

Annee and Lacy Tangles

Annee and Huggins Tangles

Until next time -- be well, and happy tangling!

Audrey

Best Fishes!

As we welcome in the new year, my "fish" list for everyone is simply this:

Peace in the World

Peace in your Heart

Good Health

An Abundance of Joy

Love and Laughter in your Life

And, that you continue to enjoy and treasure

the magical and wonderful art form of Zentangle!

And this month's new tangle:  WISP

WISP by Audrey Markowitz 

Looks great with a stem!  

Here are a couple sample ZIA's with "Wisp."

Last month I launched a new class: "Grow Your Own Tangle Garden."  It was truly amazing!  Kind of a "PhD" tangling workshop!  :-)  Not only did it give me a chance to be with wonderful folks who have been with me through many Zentangle classes over the years, but it took everyone's tangling to a new level.  Just take a look at what these women did:

The photo, of course, doesn't do justice to these mini works of art.  Also, some of the folks had not completed working on them.

I know that many of you got closed out of this class because it filled up immediately.  I have one scheduled for June 8th this year, so sign up for it as soon as you can!  I'm thinking of adding another section even earlier than June 8th ... so, if you're interested, please email me.  Bear in mind that Zentangle 101, Advanced Zentangle, and Introduction to Renaissance (Tan) Tiles are all prerequisites for this class.  It was amazing ... and I know you'll love it!!

Let me take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for bringing your passion, enthusiasm, and participation to Zentangle classes!  Whenever I think of our time together my heart just overflows with joy!   I am so glad to have met you and look forward to seeing you again!! 

Hugs ... and happy tangling!
Audrey

It doesn't get much better....

...than being with the fabulous folks who have been taking the Zentangle journey with me this fall!  It started with our Zentangle 101 and Margaritas class and has been non-stop right through our current Zentangle Inspired Art classes!  A few photos:

This was at our Zentangle 101 and Margarita class!  What fun!  Because we were a large group we held it in the Ballroom at the Brewery Arts Center where we could project what I was creating on my flip chart onto the large screen behind me!

What happy and beautiful faces!! Not only did these lovely woman bring a wonderful energy and spirit to the class, but they made their teacher proud with their beautiful tangling! (See photo below) From the far left:  Silvia, Shannon, Kumi, Mary Kay, Michele, Sue, Betsy, Susie, Kathy and Georgia.

Advanced Class:  Their stunning Zentangles!

The camera, unfortunately, does not do these amazing Zentangle Inspired Art pieces justice!  The level of detailing, beautiful tangling, creativity, and of course the glitter and pearls made these absolutely spectacular!  Hope you all tangled the front and sent them to someone special!!!

From left to right:  Georgia, Kumi, Mary Kay, Kathy, Linda, Sue, Shannon, Sheryl, Karen, Darci and Silvia.
Two photos of the same wonderful group (good energy from these ladies!) because I wanted to make sure we got to see everyone's smiling face!  Notice the table has been cleared (somewhat) in preparation for learning the mistake-proof and awesome technique for creating color backgrounds!!

And now, this months new tangle Mooned Zen

MOONED ZEN by Ina Sonnenmoser

I had fun with this one ... 

First of all, this is a ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) because I used color.  Created a color background with Distress Stains, water, freezer paper and the technique I demonstrated in class.  I used a white gel pen and liquid pearls to create some dimension to the piece.  Finally, I mounted it on a black background and then onto card stock and added some ribbon.  

A new look for Huggins tangle ...

I was waiting for my husband, who had a doctor's appointment, and noticed that the design on the carpet was the spitting image of a tangle named Huggins (You'll learn this one in the fabric class!!).  There was just one variation -- petal shapes were created around some of the circles use to create Huggins!  I went nuts because I love this tangle and thought it looked so awesome with the addition of these shapes!  So, as soon as I got home I recreated it on one of the color backgrounds we made in class. 

I used a white gel pen for the petals, and added a border of perfs!  Now I'll mount it on some black cardstock and use our template to turn it into a card! 

Don't forget to check the "Gallery" page to see student artwork!!!  And please email me copies of your creations so I can post them!

Until next time, happy tangling!

Audrey

TWO New Classes this Fall!

Hope everyone had a wonderful summer!

I've been getting ready for fall classes!  And I am very excited!

  Two NEW CLASSES are being added to the current series of six!  Yay!

1.  Sneakers with a Soul
Turn your ordinary canvas tennis shoes into customized awesome kicks … a work of art!  In this class you will learn how!  We will paint our shoes (and laces, of course!) with colorful fabric pens and tangle them until our heart’s content!  I will teach new tangles, too!  You should be able to find white canvas sneakers locally, but if you can't check amazon.com  These will make a GREAT Christmas gift!  Prerequisites: “Zentangle 101," “Advanced Zentangle," and "Tangling on Fabric."

2.  Grow Your Own Tangle Garden
In this class we will learn the more challenging, less structured organic tangles as we build a garden together.  Working on toned paper we will bring our garden to life!  Just as we would plan which plants to place where in a live garden, we’ll discover which tangles work well together in a garden setting. Prerequisites: “Zentangle 101,”  “Advanced Zentangle,”  and “Introduction to Renaissance Tiles.”

For dates, times, tuition, and to register for any of my Zentangle classes, simple go to the "Classes" page of this blog, scroll down to the class you wish to register for, and click on the link!  That's it!  

This summer I had a chance to pilot the Sneakers with a Soul class with a small group of wonderful women and Zentangle devotees who did an amazing job!    I can't begin to tell you what a great time we had!    And their sneakers are truly spectacular!!!

From left to right around the table:  Kathryn Reynolds, Susan Hanchett, Catherine Wahrenbrock, Celia Nase, Carol Lamerdin, Kathy Rose-Monet

Artist:  Carol Lamerdin

Artist:  Susan Hanchett

Artist:  Celia Nase

Artist:  Kathy Monet

Artist:  Cat Wahrenbrock (Can't wait to see the finished pair!)

Artist:  Kathryn Reynolds (Can't wait to see the finished pair!)

Hope to see you soon in a Zentangle class!

In the meantime, be well and happy tangling!!!!

Audrey

Sneakers With A Soul!

Last month I held a two-day Zentangle class for kids between the ages of 9 and 12;  I taught them how to tangle their sneakers!  First they applied color to their sneakers (and laces, of course!) with fabric markers.  Then I taught them 15 different tangles ... wow, they were amazing!! Talk about focused ... take a look at this picture:

You kids were the best!

They then applied the tangles they learned to their sneakers!! WOW!

 Beautiful, creative and unique!
BRAVO!

I don't know who was prouder:  me, of these creative, enthusiastic and lovely girls; or, the girls of their awesome sneakers!!!  We marched around the entire Art Center (including the Bystro) after they were finished so they could show them off to everyone!  What a fun time we had!!!

And now, this month's new tangle, BALO!

BALO by Hsin-Ya Hsu

I placed BALO between the tangle Msst in the Zentangle below:

Notice how the lines in my zig zag shape differ from the original tangle above. And I've shaded in different areas, as well.  Remember:  learn the original tangle and then play and experiment with it!!  

See if you can come up with your own variations.  Have fun!

and then, on a tan tile (and using the tools from my Renaissance Kit), I put BALO between the tangles Knightsbridge and Zander:

Notice my variation in the zig-zag in this version of BALO.

It's been another wonderful round of classes, with some incredible folks.  You have all been such a joy!  I have added your art to the Gallery Page!  As always, thank you for sharing!  It's an inspiration for others to see what you create!

Well, enjoy these lazy, hazy days of summer -- and, happy tangling!

Audrey 

Look for new classes this fall!

WOW!!!  What an amazing and wonderful time I had in Santa Fe at Tangle U!  In its third year, Tangle U is dedicated to providing outstanding instruction for CZTs by CZTs.  And boy, that was certainly the case!  I participated in more than 15 hours of fabulous classes that sent me home inspired, excited and full of new ideas for new classes this fall!!!

One of the classes I'm toying with would focus on creating Zentangles using organic/botanical patterns. You'd be able to grow your own"tangle garden!" :-) So stay tuned!

And speaking of botanicals ... this month's tangle is VERDIGOGH by Maria Thomas (of Zentangle fame)!

This is one of Maria's favorite tangles. (And mine, too!) It was inspired by a pine branch.  Like so many tangles, it appears complicated when it's done, but as we all now know, "anything is possible one stroke at a time."

I've incorporated VERDIGOGH  into my Zentangle Inspired Art, below:

Take a look at the "Gallery" page ... I've added some new student art.  Thank you to the wonderful ladies who sent me photos of their beautiful work!

Until next month ... be well, and happy tangling!

Audrey

Off to Tangle University ...

... in Santa Fe, New Mexico!  I am so excited!!!  

Logo from my T-Shirt!  :-)

Yup, it's really called Tangle University!   And it's a forum for Certified Zentangle Teachers.  The focus is education both for our own enjoyment and to carry back to the classroom. That's why I am so jazzed! I hope to bring back ideas and material for new classes for all of you tangling addicts! Yay!!!

Spring classes will be starting up next month (April);  so,  if you know anyone who is interested in joining the Zentangle family tell them to check out the "Classes" page on this blog!  There are so many of you who have asked about repeating classes.  Yes, of course, you are always welcome to take a class over!  In fact, I have many students who do that ... and then tell me that they got something new from taking the class again.   It's kind of like watching a movie that you really love over (and over, if you're me!) ... you get something new and different from it each time.  And it is always so wonderful to see and be with old friends again!

Okay, the new tangle this month:

YUMA 

by Tina Hunker

You'll notice that there isn’t a “pattern” per se, but rather some repeated random strokes that you add as the feeling takes you! Yes, there is an initial "order" to it (Steps 1, 2 and 3), but after that you’re on your own and each time it turns out differently!  It is a lot of fun to do  ... I really like this one!  I used it in my ZIA below:

"Survivor"

So, my friends, until next month, be well, be safe,  and ... 

... happy tangling!

Audrey