John Nordell, CZT

CZT Family Tree
We always say that the Zentangle Method attracts really awesome people. We have had the pleasure of working with wonderful Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZT) all over the world and we are excited to share these wonderful people with the entire Zentangle Community. Through our series, CZT Family Tree, we will introduce individual CZTs.

Today, we are excited to introduce John Nordell

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Name: John Nordell

CZT#:  8

Hometown: Cambridge, MA

Photo Credit: Beth Reynolds

Favorite tangle: Cubine

Favorite place to tangle: In front of the class, teaching the Zentangle Method to my college students.

How I use the Zentangle Method in my life:  I look for possibility in what I might initially perceive as a mistake.  This ability to crack open the door to possibilities beyond my imagination is a gift.

My favorite story or memory about teaching the Zentangle Method is:  I was set up to teach a Zentangle Workshop for a Cancer Support group, a mix of patients, survivors and oncology nurses.  As participants entered the room, one woman, after seeing the display of my pieces of Zentangle art, announced, “There is no way I can do that.  I am not an artist!”  I assured her that “One Stroke at A Time” she could do it. Towards the end of the workshop, she started to make some positive declarations.  After completing her Zentangle tile, she exclaimed.  “I made some art.  I am an artist.  I am going to frame this!”

Through my experiences as a CZT, I have learned:  The first time I taught a class for payment, I was nervous and messed up teaching a tangle.  I was sitting there mortified, wondering to myself if I needed to hand out refunds.  I finally decided to be honest, become vulnerable, and admit that I had made some errors teaching the tangle.  I was gearing up to ask the students if they wanted their money back.  They would hear nothing of it, echoing back to me the Zentangle philosophy I had just shared:  “There are not mistakes, only possibilities.  Isn’t this what you have been talking about?”  I was humbled by their forgiveness.

If I’m not tangling, you will find me…: Creating art that relates to the intersection of environmentalism and technology.

Website/Blog:  www.createlookenjoy.com