Molly writes...
When someone asks me about the Zentangle Method, a few things come to mind. I usually talk about how it is a step by step approach to pattern drawing and then, depending on who I am talking to or what the circumstances are, I talk about some of the philosophy behind the method. Practicing Zentangle is the best way to understand these philosophies. I think every artist that practices Zentangle brings their own interpretation to its definition and that adds to the overall meaning. One of the most valuable and important aspects of the Zentangle philosophy for me is the “No Mistakes” philosophy. It took me years to understand fully what that meant for my practice. When we say there are no mistake in Zentangle, it is not intended to mean that there will never be an unintended stroke, spill, rip or a just plan “ugh”. What we mean is that when it does happen our reaction is not to react with disappointment, anger, or discouragement but rather to embrace it and see it as an opportunity.
This is a major shift in perspective that requires courage and trust. Once you trust and welcome that every stroke on your tile has purpose, beauty, and potential, you start to see your work differently. This can be hard at first. How can you say that what clearly appears to be a mess as potential beauty?
Well, sometimes, it takes time away from the work, sometimes it takes creative ideas for change and sometimes it takes a decision to go in a new direction. Once you open up your mind to this viewpoint you will also notice a new creative flow state. A creative flow state can only be achieved if there is nothing in its way. When an artist gets stuck on perfection, distracted by things that come out not as expected or if one places expectations on themselves that are so specific, you narrow down your success of finding a flow state in your creative process.
However, when you approach your work with openness and welcome all parts of your creative process, you start to understand their purpose and role in the bigger picture. If you believe that each stroke of your pen or mark of your pencil plays a role in all the marks that follow you start to see them differently. You see opportunity and potential. You learn to trust the creative process and embrace the humanness that makes it special. You can start to embrace how this new perspective allows you to focus on the present and then pushes you forward to the next step. Once you implement the “No Mistakes” philosophy in your artistic process you might start to see and feel it trickling into other parts of your life.
Today, we find ourselves in days of “uncertainty”. While this might be true, and this might be part of our reality, what if we took this opportunity to focus on some of the beautiful things that are emerging and all that we are grateful for. I, for one have found gratitude in the extra time at home. I have particularly enjoyed the extra snuggles with my children, discovering a new trail in the woods, spending extra time around the dinner table, working on a jigsaw puzzle, watching a movie, and drawing. I am also finding gratitude in just stopping to take a huge metaphorical breath. Sometimes the world seems to be moving so quickly, and there is so much focus on what is next that we forget to focus on where we are. These past few days, I have appreciated not having any plans. I believe and know that we will eventually return to our busy lives, but as for today I am feeling grateful for this opportunity to rest and recharge. I am trying to take note of how powerful this feeling is. I am feeling grateful for this opportunity to just take a break from it all … and knowing that I am not alone doing it. This experience will change a lot of things for a lot of people, and although there will be difficulties and challenges, there will no doubt will be beautiful things too. There will be discovery, renewal, and awesomeness …. You just have to look for it.
Updated: May 13, 2022...
It is no coincidence that many of the blogs that we are revisiting during Mental Health Awareness Month were written in the Spring of 2020. This was a time when we all were realizing just how important our mental health was. Molly's words from two years ago ring just as true today as they did then.
Updated: April 16, 2024...
One of the great things about celebrating Zentangle's 20th Anniversary is many times, we have already found the right words to say what we want to say, which is why we will be revisiting more of our older blogs this month. But, make no mistake, these thoughts are anything but outdated.
At first, “No Mistakes” seemed to be a philosophy about the twists and turns of the journey. Even a slip of the pen or other “error” in drawing the pattern was just the beginning of something else.
As time went on, I found another type of “No Mistakes.” It’s only a mistake if I’ve got a clear mental image of the end result I want. If I let the drawing be an exploration, letting the drawing discover itself, each pen stroke just moves forward. There are No Mistakes because there is no right or wrong next step. There is no possibility of a mistake.
Edith Bogue on
Hellen Hurkens-Moll on
Sue Zanker on
I have always been a perfectionist and it has taken some time for me to adapt to the “no mistake” philosophy after being introduced to Zentangle. Instead of being hard on myself to make things perfect in my perspective, being rigid, single minded, I have learned to learn explore the opportunities that mistakes and flaws brings to me. Mistakes is like being given another chances to make things even more beautiful.
Jacqueline Lee on
I have always been a perfectionist and it has taken some time for me to adapt to the “no mistake” philosophy after being introduced to Zentangle. Instead of being hard on myself to make things perfect in my perspective, being rigid, single minded, I have learned to learn explore the opportunities that mistakes and flaws brings to me. Mistakes is like being given another chances to make things even more beautiful.
Jacqueline Lee on
For alot of my life, and I am sure this applies to others also, I heard from parent, teachers, coaches and some friends and class buddies, “you have made a mistake”. It brings you down and as self doubt creeps in you cower away from continuing with things you really loved to do. Your self esteem and worth take a hard battering over the years, and you think “how will I ever be good enough”. I am a fighter and i pushed harder each time I heard these comments from people.
With time I learnt that i grew so much more from each so called mistake. I still make so called mistakes, but after learning and becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher I am finally at peace with these so called mistakes which I now call “My Variations in life”. Thank you.
Gloria (Jo) Flynn on
I have always liked and appreciated the “no mistakes” theory in Zentangle. I admit that it took a bit to get used to it. I am a perfectionist and at first, it was hard to accept that the line I just drew was in the wrong direction, etc. Sometimes I just left the line there as a reminder that everything is not perfect. Other times, I incorporated the mis-stroke into something obvious. I was pleasantly surprised when I was finally able to accept that it was okay. It really was okay!!
Lynn M Jarrett on
Brenda deBock on
This ‘No mistakes’ idea of Zentangle is what struck a chord with me to drop my fear of drawing, six years back. This bond is still growing and I am eternally happy for it. So much interested in drawing but so scared of ‘making mistakes’ and ridiculed. Being a perfectionist, I didn’t know how to master a technique without making mistakes :) so scared to even try. Then, discovered Zentangle and became free in my mind and in my strokes! Thanks so much for spreading your love and developing confidence in so many at the same time providing them with a tool to find peace, happiness and joy ❤️💕🙏 https://vinrama.wordpress.com/2021/10/01/my-inktober-journey/
Ramadevi Srinivasan on
Suchitra Komandur on
Susan Hayden on
LindaJF on
Lisa Lang on
No mistakes for me means no regrets. I’ve struggled for years with the weight of regret. Zentangling has allowed me to acknowledge the past, and to try hard every day to not create any more regrettable moments. It’s definitely a process.
Teaching Zentangle to children has helped me replace regrets with better moments to remember. And for that I am grateful and appreciative.
Ann Baum on
Sheila Pollock-Bowlin on
Holly Moseley on
Jacki Brewer on
Holly Zessin on
Holly Zessin on
The No Mistakes philosophy has definitely changed the way I look at my artwork. My Ughs have become Oops, a much kinder response. And I am much more courageous in my art because my “mistakes” simply allow for more creativity as I try different things to transform the Oops to a Yeah! In life, it helps me move more events into the “don’t sweat the small stuff” category. Thanks to the Zentangle Method for adding another tool to my mental health toolbox.
Kitty C on
The Zentangle method and the great people that are in the Zentangle community have given me confidence in my ability to create beautiful artwork. I am grateful and appreciative for this group.
Donna Agee on
Jamie Herron on
I think the children that take it on board find that freeing and reassuring. And for the others, if they do something they hadn’t intended, we find workarounds.
Clea on
Mari Kreft on
I like the ‘No Mistakes’ Philosophy. When it comes to Zentangle and I make a “mistake” I’ll often think ‘Oh, well, let’s see where this goes!’ or ‘Ok, so this is just how I draw this tangle. It doesn’t have to look like what others have done.’
Beth N on