Molly writes...
We decided to dedicate a whole month in our 20th year celebration to “Teatime” because of the importance it has in the culture of our company and our family. Teatime represents a time for friends and family to come together. It reminds us of the importance of stopping to catch our breaths and to catch up on the goings on in each other’s lives. It gives us a chance to talk and a chance to listen. It opens a space for empathy and understanding when one of us is going through something and many times ends in laughter. Here at ZTHQ, we are so lucky to have a group of such diverse ages. Our youngest crew member at age 20 and our eldest and wisest, of course, is at age 79. The rest of us almost evenly trickled in decade by decade. We did not plan it that way, it just organically happened. It is a truly magical thing to have people going through different stages of life, with different things to offer. We feed off one another’s experiences, sharing stories, advice and of course, recipes.
When Rick and Maria first discovered the Zentangle Method, they had many ideas and thoughts about how people would use it. They thought people would use it to feel creative. They thought it would be fun. They thought people would take classes with other people and they would enjoy that. They thought people would tangle on their own for their own well-being. They thought it might help people feel more content, more confident and less stressed. And the list goes on. And so many of these things turned out to be true.
One thing that Rick and Maria perhaps did not anticipate was how people would enjoy gathering to tangle with other people. Over the years we have heard the most beautiful stories of people that have become friends through their Zentangle practice. There are groups all over the world of different ages and cultures that gather regularly to tangle. Some that gather in person and others, online. We have heard of some groups that have been gathering regularly for many years. These groups all have different approaches and traditions, but they sit, and they tangle together. They talk, they listen, and they support one another. They offer positive comments and encourage one another with their art. They learn about each other’s lives, and they share the common bond of Zentangle. In these groups you will often see people of different ages and backgrounds connecting with people they might have never considered.
Like teatime, tangle time offers a time for Zentangle friends to come together. It is a beautiful nurturing space where you can let go of your day for a little while, get lost in some tangles and feel the love of the people around you.
After 20 years we are still humbled, and our hearts warmed when we hear stories of people that come together to tangle and just be together. A few years ago, we asked our community to help us pick a word to describe a group of tanglers. One person suggested a “penchant” of tanglers.
We immediately loved this word. The original meaning of this word is, a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something, and that felt fitting. We also liked how when you deconstructed the word you had pen and chant and that also felt fitting as there is a song that we hear in our hearts as we tangle together. This month we honor teatime, but we also honor tangle time and those that put in the effort to create spaces and time for the penchants of tanglers around the world to come together to tangle with each other. That space and time has healed wounds, hearts and minds. And we know how much it means to so many people.
In the comments, let us know what being a part of a penchant of tanglers means to you? Whether that group meets online or in person, once a week or once a year. We will pick a commenter at random to be sent the Penchant Print.
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Thank you to everyone who shared your thoughts on our last blog, International Day of Zentangle. We have randomly selected commenters, Gail Lewis, Pat Stephan, Johnifer Baker and Hilde Van Ginhoven to receive a Zentangle surprise. Pleas send your snail mail address to info@zentangle.com.
Tracy B. on
Nancy Needler on
Stephanie Karabaic on
My penchant of tanglers is with a group of Veterans in recovery. We meet every Tuesday at 2:00. We have been tangling for four and half years, with a nine month interruption for COVID. The best part, beside getting together each week is the mosaic at the end.
Mary Kay Cass, C.Z.T. on
So many tangle friends! One CZT and I tangled at Panera once a week for several years. Another CZT had us gather at her house several times a year. All new friends I never would have met without Zentangle! Ginny, CZT 15
Virginia Lockhart on
A penchant of tanglers can be anywhere, anytime. We don’t have a large creative community here in this little town of 900 people. My pens and tiles accompany me everywhere. And extras for when I can convince someone to join in with me. My many medical appointments are an ideal place to “rope someone in”! The simple process of pen against a tile, one stroke at a time. Even a few minutes and my body and spirit responds in the pause for peace inside that Zentangle brings me. The social worker at my dialysis center has taken up Zentangle, and we often speak of the benefits.
Ginger White CZT34 on
Zentangle has brought so many friends into my life. I love gathering with them in person when possible and virtually when not. I am always looking forward to my next meetup.
Lisa Anderson on
Zentangle literally saved my life during CZT 18.
That sounds pretty dramatic I know, but being there, with others who loved creating, helped me return to my love of art.
I left that weekend more confident and relaxed, and knew the obstacles I faced back home, could be overcome…. and 1 year later I left an abusive relationship.
Thank you for that weekend.
I have continued to practice Zentangle every day.
I love teaching it to others. The circles of creating, gives safe space to silent times or talking to those who need to.
I believe that we humans need community, and “penchant of tanglers” is beautiful. I participated in the last “Teatime” celebrating your 20 years. How wonderful to fully take in the number of individuals that came together from all corners of our beautiful world.
I am so blessed to be a part of the Zentangle community. Thank you Maria and Rick. You don’t know how you touch people, but you do.
Liz
Elizabeth Braun on
Zentangle literally saved my life during CZT 18.
That sounds pretty dramatic I know, but being there, with others who loved creating, helped me return to my love of art.
I left that weekend more confident and relaxed, and knew the obstacles I faced back home, could be overcome…. and 1 year later I left an abusive relationship.
Thank you for that weekend.
I have continued to practice Zentangle every day.
I love teaching it to others. The circles of creating, gives safe space to silent times or talking to those who need to.
I believe that we humans need community, and “penchant of tanglers” is beautiful. I participated in the last “Teatime” celebrating your 20 years. How wonderful to fully take in the number of individuals that came together from all corners of our beautiful world.
I am so blessed to be a part of the Zentangle community. Thank you Maria and Rick. You don’t know how you touch people, but you do.
Liz
Elizabeth Braun on
Our Penchant has met monthly since 2016 – “Tea & Tangle Tuesday” at 2:00 (I do enjoy a good alliteration😉). Members have come and gone over the years and some have been there since the beginning. We are lucky to have Carol L, who coined the term ‘penchant’, among our ranks.
Zentangle brought our group together – just another one of the many blessings it has brought to my life. There isn’t always tea. Full disclosure: once in a while there isn’t even tangles! But there is friendship and fellowship and fun. There is creativity and craftiness and caring. There’s gabbing and gifting and plenty of giggling. (I did warn you about alliteration).
I hope our Penchant for Zentangle (and yours) continues for a good long time.
Carol G CZT12 on
A couple of friends and I have been tangling together haphazardly over the years but for the past 2 years we have made a regular commitment to meet once a month and it’s been a wonderful way to support each other, solve the world’s problems and have a lot of laughs! Currently we are separated by 10,000 kilometres but we are still catching up on Zoom. I love my Penchant of Tanglers.
Gillian Mee on
Dione Greenberg on
The second is I volunteer to teach at a senior living community where I have created a group of die hard tanglers. We meet once or twice a month and they love it as I love teaching them. I also teach in the same community in the assisted living area. Everyone thoroughly enjoys this new art form. Everyone leaves with smiles on their faces and a new calmness to their day and asks me when I’m coming back. It lifts me up and makes me feel like I have helped these people find their own happiness and calmness.
Leslee Feiwus CZT 27 on
Penchant…..a strong desire to do something you love. That is Zentangle for me. I have a strong desire every day to go pick up my Micron pen and see where it leads me. One thing for sure this World-wide group of folks from all walks of life is the most positive group I have ever been a part of. Thank you Rick and Maria, you opened a real can of creativity.
Living in a small rural mountain community there isn’t a group to tangle with. With this online community it is possible to share art every day 💜🌟
Karen Bunnelle on
Cheryl Gebhart on
What a PERFECT word for the communities that begin with each gathering of Tanglers~the nervous beginners, the skilled, the returning enthusiasts, the young, the older, and everyone in between.
I am continually in awe of the wonders of personal achievement comradarie that forms amongst us all after each class series I teach~a connectedness that only deepens as we gather again to explore more about Zentangle!
The confidence built, and the release to personal freedom, seen in each learner as they embrace the NoMistakes principle is magical. As I introduced this concept a few years ago, I remember one 5th-grader saying, “Wow, I have NEVER heard a teacher say THAT!! I’m gonna like this class!!”. When on witnesses these transformations during Zentangle classes, they find themselves, incredulously, woven into the fabric of our creative strength as humans.
I am so very greatfull I can share these experiences within each Penchant of Tanglers I meet!
Martha Brooks, CZT28 on
I have spent my corporate career training productivity, leadership coaching and skills that help people to advance in their careers. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have helped so many people in this way.
When I started teaching my Mindful Creativity classes featuring Zentangle, I discovered a new passion to help people slow down, be in the moment and be kind to themselves. My personal Zentangle journey has evolved into a penchant journey with new old and new friends.
I am so grateful for the Zentangle method and being able to spread the joy. Thank you Maria, Rick and the Zentangle Inc team.
Au Yin Chan, CZT40
AuYin CHAN on
Sue Jacobs, Mary Kissel and I started Midwest Tangler’s United (MTU) in 2017. We have met every other month since then. During Covid I purchased a Zoom account and we continued to tangled together. Our group expanded during that time. This summer we have taken a breather as lives have become busy. I look forward to our September get together. Zentangle has brought so many positives to my life.
Lesley Goldberg on
was introduced to Zentangle in 2018 at a local arts & crafts shop. It was great tangling in class with other artists. We loved the mosaic of tiles at the end of class. We eagerly took photos of our joined tiles. A good portion of those students became CZT’s. Either at the in person events or online.
Christine M. Guymon on
Gail B. Oliver on
I’ve recently begun my Zentangle journey, and I’m completely immersed in it. I am a “penchant of one” in an area with not much in the way of arts, but I have always been creative and have found my true home in Zentangle. Having lost my wonderful husband to cancer after nearly 30 years together, tangling has given me a way to truly escape, and I find that hours can go by like minutes. I’m so grateful to have discovered this! I’m even considering attending CZT training online this fall.
Devon McCarroll on
Tangle Time at SK-J’s started shortly after my return from CZT 23 in 2016. The group has had its ebb and flow and has met monthly since then, except during the pandemic. We tangle around my dining room table and talk about anything and almost everything! Almost all of us are CZT’s now. I’m grateful that Zentangle has brought this Penchant of Tanglers into my home and into my life. It’s taught me so much.
Sandy Kelley-Jones CZT on
Tracy Lamb on
I live in hope! I am blissed to the core that as I visit the Ohoenix area occasionally Karen Izzi has drawn me in to her Penchant. Sandy Bartholomew has also been a kind anchor artistically to me for many years of my Zentangle experiences. It’s simply not enough! Am I destined to be a Yuma Penchant of One??? Say it isn’t so!
Donna Versluis on
Teatime … a wonderful concept. Zoom has opened up an entirely new way to hang out worldwide with people who share a love of putting pen to paper. My ZenPal*, Janet, and I are getting together next month for trip to Monterey and Yosemite, tangling everywhere we go, getting inspiration along the way. Janet lives thousands of miles away, but we get together online every week to draw and talk. Our annual road trips have taken us on all kinds of wonderful adventures. But, nothing beats our weekly ‘teatime’ for a homey chat about daily life. *ZenPal: A person you communicate with via Zentangle.
Ann Baum on