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.
Leave us your thoughts on the "No Mistakes" philosophy in the comments for a chance to receive the ultimate "No Mistakes" bundle.
- No Mistakes Tote
- No Mistakes Tool Pouch
- NEW! No Mistakes Silver Toned Zentangle MantraBand
- Zentangle Project Pack No. 06: No Mistakes
- No Mistakes Tiles hand stained by Molly Hollibaugh.
Be sure to leave your comment by 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, May 15, 2022 to be included in the drawing.
Thanks for sharing this, it resonates so much for me. I am demanding and criticism for both others and myself so things upset me often if they turn out not as my expectations. I would also be struggling with a long loop of stress, self-judgement and even anger. The “no mistake” philosophy inspires me and introduce a new mindset that I want to be! I just started Zentangle and love to explore and find my own meanings from it. Thanks the Zentangle Team!
Wendy Wan on
Sue Schneider on
One item I am still doing is using the set of mini tiles – I needed to do them perfectly but now I am trying to usen them to trial out patterns and keep them in a card folder. I love the philosophy but the reminder about No Mistakes is valuable always.
Diane Lithgow on
Christine Isham on
Liza Kostic on
C J Petersen on
Karen on
Pam New on
Lori Riden on
This quote sums up the Zentangle process for me. I had never experienced what others described as being “in the Zone” until I found Zentangle and accepted its “no mistakes” philosophy. By concentrating on just “one stroke at a time” (yes, even my mis-strokes) I am often amazed at how long I have been “Zoned Out.” Sometimes, for hours! Thank you, Zentangle!
Jessica Dykes (aka Jake) on
Carol Sheppard on
The ‘no mistakes’ philosophy is also one of the things I love the most from Zentangle.
In 2020 I drew my first tile and it’s done twice because while I was doing it I was thinking “it’s not perfect”, so I stopped and started again. I still keep both tiles today and feom time to time I like to look at them and see how my mind has changed since I’ve been practising Zentangle.
I can only feel gratitude for how Zentangle has helped me in many ways in my life❤️
Jaxeline on
Julie Crosby on
My earliest memory of artistic exploration involves making giant overlapping circles – Printemps-like – with crayons. I was enthralled seeing different colors develop with each new layer added. The disdainful “why are you scribbling?!” that rudely interrupted my reverie took a painfully powerful and long-lasting hold on me. Thankfully, Zentangle’s ”no mistakes!” is slowly helping me push that debilitating memory away, and it is just one of many Zentangle elements for which I am grateful every single day.
Danielle on
Michele on
Nola on
For me “no mistakes” gives me the freedom to let go and see where the process takes me. I grew up in a home where mistakes weren’t allowed – only perfection; so being creative was stifled as you had to stay in the lines so to speak. Zentangle and no mistakes has opened my world and my creativity in ways I could never imagine!! Thank you!!
Laura Carpenter on
Pam on
The ‘No Mistakes’ philosophy has given us all permission to make mistakes and carry on regardless, often coming up with beautiful surprises! This is perfect for me as it has given me permission to relax and explore without that overwhelming feeling of the need to make things perfect.
Jennifer Bollinger on
I still have my coffee ring stained tile (done by Molly) from my first Zentangle class. The “stain” was used a a string based on her own transformation of a coffee spill into a great tile. It was a fun and hands on way to express the No Mistakes philosophy that I am glad I got to do from my very first Zentangle experience.
Jessica M on
They are no longer just about Zentangle, they are about every day life and being more gentle and kind. Being more gentle and kind to myself, and more gentle and kind to others. No Mistakes means everything gets forgiven. It is a policy of kindness.thank you for this.
Lisa Hoesing on
Wendy on
Mary Ellen F. on
😘❤️❤️❤️
Sandy Kelley-Jones CZT on
The “No Mistakes” philosophy has been something I have had to work hard to embrace. The journey to get there has been very good for me though. On this journey I learned just how much I liked to control things. I needed to be in control of my outcomes and when something happened to threaten them, I didn’t cope very well at all. By learning to release control (and with it, my expectations), I have been opened up to a world of creative freedom. There really are no mistakes in Zentangle, just opportunities for creativity. When we come to KNOW this as truth in our hearts, we soar….. not only as Zentangle artists, but as people.
Chrissie Murphy on