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Autoschediasm

Autoschediasm

Maria writes...

I like to collect interesting words. I have a (used-to-be) blank book just for them.  Of course, they are beautifully written, and defined, so I won’t forget why I liked the word in the first place.  Words like. . . “Notabilia,” “Stellate,” “Caper,” “Triskelion,” “Transmogrify.”    

But, when I came across “Autoschediasm,” well, I just about. . . for lack of a better word, fainted! I mean, just look at it. It’s beautiful. And, fun to say. Say it ten times fast and see what I mean. Hmmmm. Autoschediasm is simply this: something that is improved, spontaneous, impromptu. Wow. I like to think that I might be an Autoschediastic tangler. What do you think? Spontaneous switches in lines and forms. Unrehearsed, fearless, ad-libbed patterning without the angst of mistangleism. I think that all the famous (and a few not-so-famous) artists experienced some form of Autoschediasmic moments on a daily basis. Perhaps they didn’t quite know what was happening at the time, but eventually, they accepted these “gifts” and quietly, knowingly, continued their day with a slight smile, maybe even hummed or whistled a tune or two for the rest of the day. Autoschediasm can do that to a person. When you least expect it, the big “A” can turn a so-so day into an incredible one.  

In Zentangle, Autoschediasm can bring your tangle to life, in just a few strokes of your magic wand, or, in our case, a pen or pencil. You might be in the middle of hollibaugh, and just a tiny bit of Autoschediasm sneaks into your hand, and you wonder what might happen if you made that next line with a slight curve. Or, in an especially enthusiastic Autoschediastic moment, you may go wavy. Auras are a fun way to explore your Autoschediastic tendencies, or perhaps weighting or rounding. Adding “love” is a sure thing, in terms of your Autoschediasmic endeavours. If you find Autoschediasm too difficult to say or remember, you could go with Zentangle Improv.

Now, here’s the big secret: anyone, a you or a me, can experience Autoschediasm. All you need is an open mind, a sense of spirit, a sprinkle of courage, and a sly smile. But, here’s the caveat: it’s habit-forming in the most wonderful way. You will want to implement Autoschediasm whenever and wherever you can. It’s what art is all about.  

Autoschediasm. Huh. Who knew it could be that simple.

Just maybe, you too could become a “Philocast.” Like me.

Maria Thomas

24 comments

  • Fabulous posting! And the comment section has been equally as interesting. What a great group of tanglers!

    Jane Roberts on

  • I too love meeting new words! Thank you for sharing your insights on how autoschediasm relates to creativity and finding joy in following your own path.

    Vicki on

  • LOVE your posts, Maria! This is a great one – the perfect word for Zentangling :) And, like Rita J.M. Blom, I too looked for “philocast” and found only “philocalist.” But I’m pretty sure you can be a philocast if you want to.

    Peyton CZT38 on

  • More please! I LOVE words and their etymology…almost as much as I love tangling!

    Viv on

  • Well, of course I had to look up ‘Philocast’ and found a wonderful web site called Word Nerd. In defining Philocast, it mentioned that in finding the beauty in all things, that is to be a philocast, we quaintrelles are all true philocasts at heart. we cultivate, create and appreciate beauty in all of its endless forms. Oh I do love words…. And I, too, need to have much more autoschediasm in my art. Throw caution to the winds…. Be endlessly brave!!

    Pam Stevenson, CZT on

  • Love this! It reminds me of my 5th grade teacher who made us do something called ‘Sesquipedalians’. We had this list of words we had to find magazine images to represent. This is a humdinger..I may have some of it, but I could use more :)

    Jody Genovese on

  • THIS. THIS is my problem. There is utterly NO autoschediasm in my tangling whatsoever. Not so much as a smidgen. My “creativity” is limited to following the step-outs provided by ZHQ, and shading. I’ve been tangling for years, and those autoschediasmic tendencies haven’t shown up once. Any suggestions for figuring out where mine are hiding? Perhaps coaxing them out? In any case, what a FANTASTIC word!!!

    Tracy B. on

  • I’m not sure how it came about but I discovered the word “autoschediasm” some time ago and instantly knew that it described my Zentangle practice, The moment of clarity for me comes about when I finish a tile and take the final step, Appreciation. At this point, I often see things I never intended to draw or that, with just a few more strokes of the pen, became something quite remarkable. Sometimes, my favorite view is flipped from the view I had while drawing. (Oh, but I love The Zentangle Method.)

    Linda Dochter on

  • I used to delight in being a “wordsmith”!

    Jan Brandt, CZT 12 on

  • Because I have an ex-broken wrist, it has been difficult for me to make some of the different tangles. I’ve had to do what I can and make my own. I called them “Jazz Tangles” in honor of my husband who was a jazz pianist. He would take a song and turn into a whole new tune – or even several whole new tunes. I had a great time working on the jazz tangles during the lock down and it kept me sane.

    Now I’ve developed arthritis in my hands so badly, I can barely hold a pencil or pen (much less a crochet hook which has been my major form of creativity all my life), so am trying to think up another way to draw and create. I’m sure it will come to me somehow.

    Thanks for the introduction to drawing for me. Never thought I was an artist!

    Deborah on

  • 😊🌈🌞🦄💚

    Rimona Gale on

  • Wonderful way to describe all those little wiggles and turns in a tangle. Autoschediasm all the way
    Wonderful blog Maria, thank you.

    Kathleen McMurtryCZT on

  • Oh my! I’ve been doing this for a long time! Choosing a new interesting word every day! I didnt know that others do this too! What a delightful word Maria! Thank you for sharing! A fellow Pholocast…
    Mary McAllister April 15

    Mary McAllister on

  • Fun Synonyms for Autoschediasm: impromptu, jamming, on-the-spot, spontaneous, spur-of-the moment, unpremeditated
    Antonyms: deliberate, planned, premeditated, prepared
    Hmmm…I think I’m actually both Autoschediastic and its opposite when I tangle! I’m sometimes deliberate and intentional and other times I’m jamming spontaneously. Makes me think of musicians who are classically trained, but who can then improvise with jazz.

    Dione Greenberg on

  • Oh, my! And isn’t this what life itself is all about?!

    We might start with a plan, but opening ourselves up for extemporaneous experiences, we grow richer, more full of life itself. I love this way of seeing my Zentangle practice, and daily living.

    Here’s to autoschediasm and the new insights we can have!

    Ginger White CZT34 on

  • Philocalist?

    Rita J. M. Blom on

  • Oh uhh am simply in LOVE this word!!
    “AUTOSCHEDIASM” it sounds like it could be such a great, elaborate Zentangle technique…. and to think about it, it already is and it’s also simple too!! We implement this so much in our Zentangle practice everyday, it now just has a beautiful new name ❤️

    Vandana Krishna on

  • Thank you, Maria. Your blog is a delight.

    Nancy Day on

  • Oh Maria! I adore this word! I, too, am a lover of words and also have a word journal for all of those really wonderful words I come across. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Beautifully describes Zentangle! CZT31

    Rita Miller on

  • Perfect Word of the Day for next Tuesday. The children will love it! So fun to say, and it sums up what we do perfectly. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Ann Baum, CZT36 on

  • “Learn something new everyday!” That’s a new one on me, but a very apt descriptor of the art of Zentangle, in my opinion! Extemporaneous, impromptu, improvised…how many ways can you describe the spontaneous magic of Zentangle?!!! I would love to see your “word journal;” I’m sure it’s beautifully autoschediastic! Thanks, Maria!

    Jessica L DykesCZT39 on

  • And I found this definition of “Autoschediasm” to add to your explanation :

    Autoschediasm refers to something done offhand, improvised, or extemporized. It’s essentially a noun representing the act of improvising or doing something without prior planning or preparation. The word is derived from the Greek word “autoschediásma,” meaning “something that is improvised”.
    Perfect for Zentangle!

    candyce c. anderson on

  • Oh Maria …I read your beautiful words and Autoschediasm and images today with GLEE! I’m learning…slowly – and as I prepare to lead my first formal class of 46 seniors in a conference room on day two of my Zentangle journey

    I feel surprising well prepared. I don’t even go in the restroom for nerves gasping and gagging a half hour before like I did before every one of my Clown jobs years ago. Wether the camera works or they can’t see or there is no place to display the tiles (so we did them on post its and stuck them to the white board!). Or even if the camera and computer fails…I have confidence we can improvise and adding lots of our communal “love”. With gratitude!

    Mary Ellen Ziegler # 33 on

  • Oh my! What a beautiful word! And your description of it! I love it! And now I can add another descriptive word to my vocabulary! If only I could write it as beautifully as you do. Sigh……

    candyce c. anderson on

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