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A Zentangle Origin Story

A Zentangle Origin Story

Some of you may know the story of how Zentangle got started.  (Or, not!)  But today I would like to tell you a few things that perhaps you didn’t know. 

When Zentangle presented itself to us, Rick and I had  been together for about a year or so. We were excited about everything in our lives. (We still are!) We loved our work, our family, our home, our town, our friends.  Each day brought more for us to be grateful for. 

Then, it happened. We were gifted this new “thing” in our life, not sure what to make of it . . . but, for sure, we both knew it was important and could not be ignored.

I absolutely loved my work as a full-time calligrapher. I was creating beautiful things and making people happy. It was always a labor of love. And with Rick now working with me in my stationery company, life was great.

So, why was I questioning my life all of a sudden? When Zentangle presented itself to me and Rick, we both knew right away it was important. How could I say I was grateful for this amazing life and not do anything about it. Maybe Zentangle was shown to us as a way for me (and Rick) to show how grateful we were.  The instant we realized there was nothing stopping us from dedicating our lives to this, we quit our day jobs and only looked ahead with no hesitation. 

What was missing in my life was to do something important, something essential, to find some way to give back.  Even more than that (can there even be more?) we get to give others this gift of giving this Zentangle gift as well. Each time a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) teaches a class; each time a Zentangle enthusiast shares with a friend how the Zentangle Method works, you get the same you that we get.

And I think that's something important.

And that’s it. That’s all I wanted to share with you today.  It came to me in my dreams, and I could not not listen.

We’d love to give this tile away, I did it while I was thinking how to write this story.
Raised gold leaf, ink, gelly, and ❤️.

Leave your thoughts below and we will choose a name at random from the commenters on this blog.

 

Maria Thomas

199 comments

  • Zentangle has really fufilled a large part of my life. Becoming a CZT really started my understanding of how nice it is to share the teaching experience and I feel that in my small way that I have helped others learn the peacefulness of learning the Zentangle method by teaching them.I can tell that it helps there life become peaceful and full of gratitude one Stoke at a time. Your legacy and love will continue to live on forever.Thank you Maria & Rick you have given my life so very much joy❤

    Julie Crosby on

  • Every time I teach a Basics class, I start with how I found Zentangle and my experience at Seminar…and every time, I have to fight back tears. They are tears of gratefulness!

    I can’t put into words what Zentangle has given to me. It has changed my life. And it has given me the opportunity to change other peoples lives. All I have to do is teach it to someone, and it not only gives them the gift, but it gives the gift back to me as well. Here come the tears again!

    Thank you so much for uprooting your life and grabbing onto this gift and then sharing it with us. You are my heroes!

    Kim Kohler on

  • Thank you for sharing your story about creating the Zentangle universe. I’ve seen you present the history in interviews and in books, but today, it meant even more. It reminded me of the things that my husband and I did together that we could not have done alone. The way two people can inspire each other to accomplish anything with a shared vision.

    Thank you for Zentangle, especially now.

    Ann Baum

    Ann Baum on

  • Zentangle has been such a comfort these past few weeks. Your videos emails and posts have helped me stay calm in this stormy time. Obviously I have a great connection to the letter Z and would love to win! Thank you all at Zentangle for everything you do! Stay safe and healthy !

    Amy Zarrella on

  • My discovery of the Zentangle method was almost a wonderful coincidence or conjunction of things that happened to be able to go to a fantastic class of a CZT. When I left and the next day I knew without a doubt that zentangle had come into my life to stay. Continuous learning until I finally become a CZT. But this has only just begun. My life with Zentangle fortunately continues and grows every day. MANY THANKS!!

    Manuel Latorre on

  • I love hearing the story again! You are so appreciated! I hope all of the Zentangle family (far and wide)stay safe!

    Lisa P Anderson on

  • I love hearing the story again! You are so appreciated! I hope all of the Zentangle family (far and wide)stay safe!

    Lisa Anderson CZT20 on

  • I truly care about you and your family and your staff and the business you have created and am grateful for all! Thanks again! Love, Katrina ❤️

    Katrina on

  • I discovered Zentangle by wonderful accident. It appeals to my senses in a way I can’t quite verbalise! I have given lessons to my son while he battled his way through the drug morass, I have given little gifts to friends I hope they’ll treasure for a long time. Zentangle brings joy and amazement to everyone I show my work to. With gratitude to you all in your family, sincerely, Carly Blankevoort

    Carly Blankevoort on

  • Your gift to all of us is precious and truly treasured. I am blessed to have changed my perspective on life, and am thrilled to be able to share it with others. I will be eternally grateful to you and Rick for bringing us so much joy!!!

    Lynn Noga on

  • As I begin my Zentangle journey which started Christmas 2019, after a life coach introduced me to the world of Zentangle. It so wonderful to hear how you guys got started and helped so many on this beautiful Meditative peaceful art path.

    You know never having any confidence to draw, and now I can hold a tile up and say " I did that" is the most wonderful gift you can give anyone. Just by slowing down being grateful, breathing and taking one stroke at a time
    Thank you

    Kim Brown on

  • Beautiful story. I feel blessed to have found out about Zentangle and now be able to teach it. Grateful to have met you and all the Z community too.

    Juliette F, CZT on

  • Thank you for sharing your origin story again. I teach a lot, well until a few weeks ago when our world closed down and I always share your story in my Intro class and now I have something new to add which is your desire to give back and how Zentangle finding you was the key because isn’t that why we are all here- to help the other.

    Mindy Shapiro on

  • I am grateful to have learned the Zentangle method from you and Rick and have been thrilled to share it with others. It is a special something. ~ Rose (CZT #4)

    Rosemarie Crawford on

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    Jacqueline Watson on

  • I have always found the story of how Zentangle originated, your aha moment and the speed with which you got the method onto paper in the very early days, inspiring. I love telling it to my students because there is a joy and truth in the telling that permeates all things Zentangle. I know of folks that have a true calling and they give of themselves unconditionally. You have that dedication and you have gifted that to exponentially more individuals. It is indeed a most important gift, a giving back with little bounds, a gift of beauty, of community and acceptance. BIG dream realized and I for one am grateful you listened! With gratitude, always, Pam

    PamS on

  • Thanks so much for filling in the details of the origin of Zentangle! I always give my students a quick glimpse into how it started. Now I have more just say. I think your calligraphy is just gorgeous Maria. And who know it would lead to this creative expression of meditative art that we all love? I am so very grateful and proud to be a member of the community and to be a certified Zentangle teacher.

    Mary Illana Perrin CZT 32 on

  • A beautiful love story…..a new method created to spread love, happiness, motivation and inspiration in the name of zentangle……in my life zentangle is a beautiful friend who is always by my side. Thanks for giving all this beautiful gift of art….You both are very kind.

    Bashyam Srimathi on

  • If Zentangle would not exist, someone would have to invent it.

    This is so much more than relaxing beyond drawing. It is love, it is passion. This was meant to be. And you guys were open and receptive. So life brought it to you first. But in the meantime: wuuaauw, it is allll over the world. Making people happy all over the planet.

    We are all connected, every time we draw Zentangle, when we think Zentangle, when we speak Zentangle.

    May you all be blessed. Always.

    Karin Godyns, proud CZT Belgium on

  • I am grateful that you went ahead with it! Zentangle came to me at a very stressful time in my life, after my mother died. What made me pick up, much less buy that book? The next thing I knew, I was cutting up squares and circles of watercolor paper to take along on a much-needed vacation. Now I’m never without a way to summon a flow state (a mini mental vacation) at will. And I get to teach it to others!

    Valerie Hayes on

  • The joy of collaboration with a loved one and giving back is like no other. Thank you for finding your joy for yourself and others.

    Dorian Eng on

  • I have degenerative disc disease and couldn’t go out Christmas shopping. But I’ve been “studying” Zentangle on the web for months. It gave me a chance to make gifts for my cousins who read a lot. They all got bookmarks for the holidays.

    As a side note: I have had 7 back surgeries and I am now a bionic woman! Your gift to me allowed me to give a gift to others. ❤️

    Robin Butler on

  • When spirit speaks it is always good to listen.

    Thank you Maria, for your thoughts, and who knew how far and wide this would travel.
    Best to you and the Zentangle Headquarters crew
    Deb Sargent

    Deborah Sargent on

  • The beauty of new beginnings is the wonder and excitement of what lies ahead. You have given me the joy of creating that I thought was lost. Thank you for this cherished gift I share with family and friends.

    Donna Dastrup on

  • Bonjour Maria! Ton tile est très joli!. Four days ago was my 8 months of tangling! I read about your Zentangle beginning. Thank you for making it possible.

    Nathalie de Québec.

    Nathalie Paré on

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