CZT Family Tree: Ela Rieger

CZT Family Tree

We always say that the Zentangle Method attracts really awesome people. We have had the pleasure of working with wonderful Certified Zentangle Teachers (CZT) all over the world and we are excited to share these wonderful people with the entire Zentangle Community. Through our series, CZT Family Tree, we will introduce individual CZTs.

Today, we are excited to introduce Ela Rieger

Name: Ela Rieger                                                                              CZT#:19
Hometown: Kirchberg an der Murr near Stuttgart, Germany

Favorite place to tangle: In the summer I love to draw a breath of fresh air with the noise and the chirping of birds around the ears, so I prefer to sit while drawing in the coach house, where the neighbors find me for a chat. The other time I sit in my cozy studio under the roof right in front of the window overlooking the valley. My cat is usually next to me on the sofa and purrs or snores.

Favorite tangle: Phicops

My Favorite story or memory about teaching the Zentangle Method: I gave this course a few months after becoming CZT. I was sitting in a cozy living room with sub optimal light next to a nervous 76 year old woman who told me that she could not draw, as the teachers at school had explained to her more than 60 years ago. For this reason, she would always have crocheted and knitted, but would like to try drawing. What a courageous woman, who experienced the Second World War, raised 3 children, worked hard all her life and always put others in the foreground.

This woman had some of my tiles in front of her and clear ideas about which pattern she wanted to draw right at the beginning. It was Verdigogh. Seniors can be very obstinate.

After teaching her the basics and repeatedly explaining that the path is the most important and not the finished product, we began to draw. It was a difficult start, because she really wanted her Verdigogh to look exactly like mine. I calmed, praised, and explained a lot and soothing, and so the 1st tile was finished and ambitious as it was, because your image was a bit shaky, she wanted to try it again and again. That night, she drew the tangle five more times. So, the next day I sat in this living room again and talked to her about her pictures and praised her again and again, when her husband came in, he took one of HER pictures and said in acknowledgment to ME that I had drawn this beautifully because he really thought I had drawn it. After that he realize that his wife had tears of joy in her eyes. I explained that this picture was drawn by his wife and not by me and that she is very talented. That was a magical moment for all of us.

When I was back in this living room after weeks, I found that there was a place for her drawing utensils, that she was very appreciative with her tiles and that the husband had installed better lamps. I had shown the shading to the woman and she was overjoyed to hide so many irregularities. She has learned that in every tile is something beautiful, that is worth finding and is proud of her works. And most important, she is having so much fun with tangling till now.

Her husband explained to me that this trembling in the strokes appeals to him so much, because it brings a very special lightness into the art. I have the impression that this man is now more appreciative of his wife and is proud of her and can now show that.

The 76 year old is my mother and we will soon make an exhibition together. She still draws beautiful pictures and shadows with enthusiasm.

This experience accompanies me in each of my courses, and has shown me that it is not so important to teach technique, but that Zentangle allows you to pay attention to other values ​​that reach deeper than any properly placed strokes. Everyone has their own style that they can be proud of. A tile is not appreciated until it is really done. Every "wrong" stroke is a chance to create a new twist.

Favorite quote: Do not think and speak too much - just do it!  My days are always to short.

 How I use the Zentangle Method in my life: Zentangle was and is my salvation in health terms. I use it daily as a "pain and sleeping pill" and to get to know new patterns. I am proud to have hosted "ElasDailyChallenges.” Each day is a different pattern and Thursday, December 7^th will be the 1,000^th challenge! You can learn more about the challenge at ealtorium.de. The Opus tile below features all 1,000 tangles from each challenge!

 There are great people who tangle with me. From the challenge came a project with Annette Plaga-Lodde CZT23. We created Musterquelle patternsource (currently over 2,000 tangles) can be found in a quiet, unobtrusive place, easy to handle as well for german speaking tangler, who are not so fit in using IT. You can find this at patternsource.eu

I love intricate and detailed drawing. Unusual projects attract me. Currently I create costumes for fairies for events and like to beautify things of everyday life, bags, watering cans, instruments but also larger things like "people", a VW bus or walls. And of course, I love inspiring people in Zentangle classes.  I tangle nearly everywhere – even on my way to courses. In addition, I use Zentangle in the work with seniors, handicapped and people and in hospice.

If I’m not tangling, you will find me…: In and around my little farm house, together with friends, family and my cat, organizing www.patternsource.ey or on events making dresses and make up and be an actress on this fairy events.

Mosaic Name: ElaRiegerCZT

Website/Blog: www.elatorium.de  and www.patternsource.eu