We did that with this tile for Laura Harms' Challenge #102:
(Love that tortillion!)
P.S.
Just saw a neat new review of our book, The Book of Zentangle.
Enjoy!
Click image for larger view.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
DuoTangle - auraknot/bunzo
Maria and I are playing with a new sequence: she tangles, I shade.
We did that with this tile for Laura Harms' Challenge #102:
(Love that tortillion!)
P.S.
Just saw a neat new review of our book, The Book of Zentangle.
Enjoy!
Click image for larger view.
We did that with this tile for Laura Harms' Challenge #102:
(Love that tortillion!)
P.S.
Just saw a neat new review of our book, The Book of Zentangle.
Enjoy!
Click image for larger view.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Induction
Some rambling thought and experience ingredients that are coming together . . .
Ingredient 1
Molly and I recently attended an excellent presentation at Brown University in Providence, RI of undergraduate students presenting their research papers on mindfulness.
Because of recent studies of the Zentangle method as a mindfulness activity, we were interested in better understanding this field. We had also seen a TED talk video by Willoughby Britton, whose students would be presenting papers, and we wanted to meet her.
Ms. Britton is one of the faculty in Brown University's Contemplative Studies Initiative. In her video she describes contemplative studies as "a range of mental training practices which are designed to cultivate positive qualities of mind." She lists some of these positive qualities as attention, patience, compassion and generosity.
Molly and I were interested in what these training practices might be and what role a Zentangle practice might play in contemplative studies. We learned a lot and, after the event, we were fortunate to have a long conversation with Ms. Britton, who was very generous with her time.
A few of our take-aways relative to a practice of Zentangle in this context were:
Ingredient 2
Electricity and radio frequency fascinate me and I am studying basic electronics to understand this area of interest. One facet of electrical theory is induction.
Imagine that the metal bar above is not a magnet. If you run a current through the wire (which does not touch the bar) it induces magnetism in the bar and it becomes an "electromagnet."
It works in the other direction, too. This time, imagine that the bar is a magnet. As you move it inside that coil of wire, it induces a current in the wire.
(Nice aura patterning in those magnetic field lines, by the way. :-)
Ingredient 3
A local CZT was helping out at Zentangle HQ last week. During a great conversation about her recent classes and the meaning of "mindfulness," she put forth an idea that perhaps the Zentangle method "induces mindfulness."
Aha! Quickly, before I might forget, I grabbed a paper and pencil and wrote, "induces mindfulness."
Bringing It All Together
When Molly and I were discussing our experience after the Brown presentation, we were focusing a lot on the various training practices used to test the benefits and impact of a mindfulness practice. Because, before you can test for mindfulness impacts, you first have to train people in a mindfulness practice. Many of these practices can take a while to learn. Some of these practices also might not align with a person's belief system.
What if you could directly, quickly, and reliably induce the relaxed and focused attention of mindfulness without having to learn or believe anything new?
In our opinion, that is exactly what the Zentangle method allows. And . . . you end up with a beautiful tangible result using skills you already have.
Perhaps one reason people enjoy Zentangle more than they expect to is that, when they complete an eye-hand circuit by making repetitive strokes according to the Zentangle method, they induce a resonant frequency of relaxed focus and attention.
At least that is what this Sunday afternoon's musings suggest.
We look forward to your thoughts and comments.
.
Ingredient 1
Molly and I recently attended an excellent presentation at Brown University in Providence, RI of undergraduate students presenting their research papers on mindfulness.
Because of recent studies of the Zentangle method as a mindfulness activity, we were interested in better understanding this field. We had also seen a TED talk video by Willoughby Britton, whose students would be presenting papers, and we wanted to meet her.
Ms. Britton is one of the faculty in Brown University's Contemplative Studies Initiative. In her video she describes contemplative studies as "a range of mental training practices which are designed to cultivate positive qualities of mind." She lists some of these positive qualities as attention, patience, compassion and generosity.
Molly and I were interested in what these training practices might be and what role a Zentangle practice might play in contemplative studies. We learned a lot and, after the event, we were fortunate to have a long conversation with Ms. Britton, who was very generous with her time.
A few of our take-aways relative to a practice of Zentangle in this context were:
- positive impact of mindfulness practice on the prefrontal cortex resulting in improved impulse control
- varied methods of mental training practices and the time it takes to learn them
- positive correlation between attention and happiness
- benefits and impact of an ongoing practice
Ingredient 2
Electricity and radio frequency fascinate me and I am studying basic electronics to understand this area of interest. One facet of electrical theory is induction.
Imagine that the metal bar above is not a magnet. If you run a current through the wire (which does not touch the bar) it induces magnetism in the bar and it becomes an "electromagnet."
It works in the other direction, too. This time, imagine that the bar is a magnet. As you move it inside that coil of wire, it induces a current in the wire.
(Nice aura patterning in those magnetic field lines, by the way. :-)
Ingredient 3
A local CZT was helping out at Zentangle HQ last week. During a great conversation about her recent classes and the meaning of "mindfulness," she put forth an idea that perhaps the Zentangle method "induces mindfulness."
Aha! Quickly, before I might forget, I grabbed a paper and pencil and wrote, "induces mindfulness."
Bringing It All Together
When Molly and I were discussing our experience after the Brown presentation, we were focusing a lot on the various training practices used to test the benefits and impact of a mindfulness practice. Because, before you can test for mindfulness impacts, you first have to train people in a mindfulness practice. Many of these practices can take a while to learn. Some of these practices also might not align with a person's belief system.
What if you could directly, quickly, and reliably induce the relaxed and focused attention of mindfulness without having to learn or believe anything new?
In our opinion, that is exactly what the Zentangle method allows. And . . . you end up with a beautiful tangible result using skills you already have.
Perhaps one reason people enjoy Zentangle more than they expect to is that, when they complete an eye-hand circuit by making repetitive strokes according to the Zentangle method, they induce a resonant frequency of relaxed focus and attention.
At least that is what this Sunday afternoon's musings suggest.
We look forward to your thoughts and comments.
.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Phicops
B-rad, Laura Harms' husband, designed a great new tangle that he named phicops. It's the subject of this week's Diva challenge (#101).
Our entries are below but first, check this great quote from Frank Lloyd Wright that we discovered this morning:
Of course, in the context of circa 1957 English usage, that also means:
Thanks Laura and B-rad!
Click images for larger views.
Our entries are below but first, check this great quote from Frank Lloyd Wright that we discovered this morning:
I am not a "masterpiece man"—the next one I am going to do is always the best. When a man points to his masterpiece, he is finished. Do not look for much from him.
—Frank Lloyd Wright, circa 1957
Of course, in the context of circa 1957 English usage, that also means:
When a woman points to her masterpiece, she is finished. Do not look for much from her.Or, to paraphrase, "Appreciate what you've done and look forward to what's next."
Thanks Laura and B-rad!
Click images for larger views.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Dance Plus
When students surpass their teachers . . . .
It's thrilling to see what folks created for Laura Harms' 100th challenge with divadance.
Imagine the tangles of the future. They will be increasingly difficult to find (we had it easy to get all the simple ones in!). But, oh, they will be spectacular! Just look at how Zentangle has blossomed in the last few years . . . unfettered creativity coming out of people, many of whom never knew it was within all along.
Throughout this Zentangle community we see directions and inspirations we never considered along with enthusiastic passion and creativity. Your Zentangle inspired art creates an exquisite positive feedback loop that inspires us all.
It was only fitting that we also be part of this challenge. We feel that it's our service to society to enable anyone to discover and inspire their artist within and then to go beyond what we have accomplished. It's the way of this world.
Thank you so much for playing with us and each other on this ongoing and unfolding Zentangle adventure.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Click image for large view.
Imagine the tangles of the future. They will be increasingly difficult to find (we had it easy to get all the simple ones in!). But, oh, they will be spectacular! Just look at how Zentangle has blossomed in the last few years . . . unfettered creativity coming out of people, many of whom never knew it was within all along.
Throughout this Zentangle community we see directions and inspirations we never considered along with enthusiastic passion and creativity. Your Zentangle inspired art creates an exquisite positive feedback loop that inspires us all.
It was only fitting that we also be part of this challenge. We feel that it's our service to society to enable anyone to discover and inspire their artist within and then to go beyond what we have accomplished. It's the way of this world.
Thank you so much for playing with us and each other on this ongoing and unfolding Zentangle adventure.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Click image for large view.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Diva Dance
Laura Harms, CZT, who hosts the popular IamtheDivaCZT blog invited us to guest host for her 100th Challenge blog post.
In honor of this event, we created a new tangle, diva dance. Later on we'll post step-outs for the archives on our newsletter, but for now you'll need to visit her blog to see lots of images and also the step-out instructions.
Here are a couple images of diva dance that we're contributing to this challenge:
By Maria, black and brown Sakura® Pigma® micron pens with white chalk pencil on lokta paper.
By Rick, black Sakura Pigma micron and white GellyRoll® pens with pencil shading and white chalk highlights on prestrung Zendala.
Please drop by Laura's 100th Challenge to enjoy some beautiful images and to add yours to them.
Click images for larger views.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Seminar X
We are thrilled and proud to introduce you to the graduating class of the tenth Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) training seminar held this past September.
Please join us in welcoming some of the nicest people you could ever want to meet.
There are now CZTs in Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States (in 45 states)!
In the picture above, you can also see some of our Zentangle staff, left to right in the first row are Jess, Molly, Martha, Sue, and Jane.
It took forever to get that picture ready because I just kept looking at all the faces and reliving all our interactions and conversations. Looking at the expressions and body language explains a bit why we don't think we could ever do these trainings online.
We invite you to enjoy images of the creativity and fun enjoyed during Seminar X. Remember to click the images to see their larger version.
We enjoyed great weather. This picture was taken in the early morning before breakfast. The day before there was a wedding at the hotel and the decorations were still up in the courtyard.
Above is a small sampling of Zentangle tiles and Zentangle Inspired Art that many students brought.
Our first mosaic along with a couple detail views.
After class in the evenings there were many creative events. Ironically, Miriam White (left) came from New Zealand and is giving a henna Zentangle inspired tattoo to Paulene Whakaruru, who came from Australia and was originally from New Zealand!
Students tangle the back of their name tags and then we varnish them. This always makes for a great photo opportunity.
Another tradition is to create a group Zentangle which everyone helps tangle and one student gets to take home.
We also find something to celebrate. For this class it was a celebration of our tenth CZT seminar.
Thanks for enjoying this peak into our last seminar. You can learn more about our CZT program here. If you have any questions at all about seminar, just email Martha at events@zentangle.com and she will be glad to answer your questions.
Most importantly, if you are interested in learning more about Zentangle and its practice, please take a workshop with a CZT. You will find them listed here.
Click images for larger views.
Please join us in welcoming some of the nicest people you could ever want to meet.
There are now CZTs in Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States (in 45 states)!
In the picture above, you can also see some of our Zentangle staff, left to right in the first row are Jess, Molly, Martha, Sue, and Jane.
It took forever to get that picture ready because I just kept looking at all the faces and reliving all our interactions and conversations. Looking at the expressions and body language explains a bit why we don't think we could ever do these trainings online.
We invite you to enjoy images of the creativity and fun enjoyed during Seminar X. Remember to click the images to see their larger version.
Registration is now open for our two Certified Zentangle Teacher training seminars in 2013: June 23-26 and October 13-16.
You can read more about seminar at this link and at many of our archived newsletters.
If you are interested in attending, please register soon because these seminars tend to fill quickly.
To begin the registration process, click the links below, where you will find details on tuition, times and other details:
Thanks for enjoying this peak into our last seminar. You can learn more about our CZT program here. If you have any questions at all about seminar, just email Martha at events@zentangle.com and she will be glad to answer your questions.
Most importantly, if you are interested in learning more about Zentangle and its practice, please take a workshop with a CZT. You will find them listed here.
Click images for larger views.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Eggz
Karen writes:
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration!
Click image for larger eggz.
Dear Maria and Rick,
If you will allow me, I wanted to share with you some of the Zentangle Christmas Eggs I made recently. I am not a CZT (yet - maybe someday) but Zentangle has changed my life. I am a long time Pysanky artist and most recently have been inspired by your gift of Zentangle.
Thank you so much for this wonderful gift and for inspiring so many lives.
Respectfully,
Karen
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration!
Click image for larger eggz.
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