How I got started...
It all started one afternoon while momma Deb and I were having tea and colouring......
I feel compelled to mention that I have always coloured, even before it become a cool and trendy thing to do. From the moment, I could hold a crayon, I was colouring. It was and still is one of my favourite activities. I remember when my Nana would let me pick something out at the store, I would always pick something to do with colouring (Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, Crayola Markers, Disney Doodle Bags, you name it). And when my husband, Andrew, and I started dating, one of the first presents he bought me was a giant colouring book. He sure knew the way to my heart. But I digress....
So, momma Deb and I were having tea and colouring...
and she brought out a sketch pad and started drawing! Drawing?!?!?!? Momma Deb doesn't draw!?!?!?! What is she doing? It looked like she was creating a piece for one of those new "adult colouring books". It was beautiful, and I inquired about it. Momma Deb, who claims to have no drawing abilities, said she it was Zentangle.
My brain exploded! What is Zentangle? Dots? Strings? Tangles? I was so intrigued. How did I not know about this!?!?!? How does momma Deb know about this before me!?!?!?! That night, while trying to sleep, my brain would not turn off, I kept thinking about the "tangles". I went to google and was completely amazed and overwhelmed by all the lines, all the patterns, and all the possibilities of Zentangle. Here are a few of my first tangled pictures that I created. They do not follow the Zentangle method and are pretty rough looking, but it's nice to look back at where I started and I feel proud to see the progress I have made. As well, I am really looking forward to all that I still will learn.
When I find out about something new, I like to know everything about it. I like to take classes, gain more knowledge from an expert, and make sure I have all the necessary tools and understanding of the foundational elements to move forward. Google and YouTube can only take you so far, and I find I work best and am more creative when I can collaborate with others, and learn from individuals who are truly passionate.
How I got started and fell in love with Zentangle...
In the Zentangle world, it is encouraged that you take a class from a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT). These CZT have been personally taught by the creators of Zentangle, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. There are only about 100 CZTs in Canada (2017 update- 149 CZTs), and less than 20 in BC. I was super stoked to find that there was a CZT named Aleesha Sattva in Burnaby, B.C.,**who offered classes in her home. After checking out Aleesha's website Tangle Me This, I signed up for a Basic Zentangle Class. You can read more about my Zentangle classes on my blog.
** Aleesha'a current adventure has moved her to Thailand...
What's next...
Over the years, I began to understand why I loved colouring so much. It allowed me to calm my mind and provided me an outlet to work through my emotions and feelings. Even as an adult, when things were feeling overwhelming or stressful, I would get an uncontrollable urge to colour. Now, as I embark on this Zentangle journey, I am so thankful to have another outlet for me to work through my emotions and feelings. It makes me feel inspired, passionate, and content. It is teaching me to embrace the mistakes and look for the opportunities on the tile and in life.
April 2017 Update! I am so proud to announce, I am officially a Certified Zentangle Teacher! Read all about my experiences at Zentangle Teacher Training Seminar #26 here.
It all started one afternoon while momma Deb and I were having tea and colouring......
I feel compelled to mention that I have always coloured, even before it become a cool and trendy thing to do. From the moment, I could hold a crayon, I was colouring. It was and still is one of my favourite activities. I remember when my Nana would let me pick something out at the store, I would always pick something to do with colouring (Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, Crayola Markers, Disney Doodle Bags, you name it). And when my husband, Andrew, and I started dating, one of the first presents he bought me was a giant colouring book. He sure knew the way to my heart. But I digress....
So, momma Deb and I were having tea and colouring...
and she brought out a sketch pad and started drawing! Drawing?!?!?!? Momma Deb doesn't draw!?!?!?! What is she doing? It looked like she was creating a piece for one of those new "adult colouring books". It was beautiful, and I inquired about it. Momma Deb, who claims to have no drawing abilities, said she it was Zentangle.
My brain exploded! What is Zentangle? Dots? Strings? Tangles? I was so intrigued. How did I not know about this!?!?!? How does momma Deb know about this before me!?!?!?! That night, while trying to sleep, my brain would not turn off, I kept thinking about the "tangles". I went to google and was completely amazed and overwhelmed by all the lines, all the patterns, and all the possibilities of Zentangle. Here are a few of my first tangled pictures that I created. They do not follow the Zentangle method and are pretty rough looking, but it's nice to look back at where I started and I feel proud to see the progress I have made. As well, I am really looking forward to all that I still will learn.
When I find out about something new, I like to know everything about it. I like to take classes, gain more knowledge from an expert, and make sure I have all the necessary tools and understanding of the foundational elements to move forward. Google and YouTube can only take you so far, and I find I work best and am more creative when I can collaborate with others, and learn from individuals who are truly passionate.
How I got started and fell in love with Zentangle...
In the Zentangle world, it is encouraged that you take a class from a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT). These CZT have been personally taught by the creators of Zentangle, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. There are only about 100 CZTs in Canada (2017 update- 149 CZTs), and less than 20 in BC. I was super stoked to find that there was a CZT named Aleesha Sattva in Burnaby, B.C.,**who offered classes in her home. After checking out Aleesha's website Tangle Me This, I signed up for a Basic Zentangle Class. You can read more about my Zentangle classes on my blog.
** Aleesha'a current adventure has moved her to Thailand...
What's next...
Over the years, I began to understand why I loved colouring so much. It allowed me to calm my mind and provided me an outlet to work through my emotions and feelings. Even as an adult, when things were feeling overwhelming or stressful, I would get an uncontrollable urge to colour. Now, as I embark on this Zentangle journey, I am so thankful to have another outlet for me to work through my emotions and feelings. It makes me feel inspired, passionate, and content. It is teaching me to embrace the mistakes and look for the opportunities on the tile and in life.
April 2017 Update! I am so proud to announce, I am officially a Certified Zentangle Teacher! Read all about my experiences at Zentangle Teacher Training Seminar #26 here.
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