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CZT Family Tree: Gildo Sobrino Sierra

CZT Family Tree: Gildo Sobrino Sierra

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 Gildo Sobrino Sierra!

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Name: Gildo (Hermenegildo) Sobrino Sierra

CZT#: CZT EU3



Hometown: I always say that I am not from a specific place. I am currently living in Gijón, on the north coast of Spain. Although I was actually born in Switzerland. Born in Bern and then lived in the German part of Fribourg until the age of 30.
In Switzerland I qualified as a joiner and after a few years in Spain, an allergy forced me to change my profession. This led me to work for 14 years in a care centre for people with intellectual disabilities, as an Educator/Caregiver.
Having discovered the Zentangle Method and seeing its great benefits, I decided give up my job and dedicate myself 100% to Zentangle since May 2021.



Favorite tangle: It's hard to choose a favorite tangle for different reasons. I'm more a fan of geometric tangles, but it's impossible for me to choose one. The most important connection I have is with 2 of my own tangles.

Siditow for the memory of my father.

Arben for representing my hometown and coming up with my first online class. In which I presented my #Satelitetangling.

Favorite place to tangle: I usually tangle at home and in the evening, when the world has gone to bed. It is the time when I find the most peace and creativity. But I love to draw in a bar while having a coffee and then leave the tile on the table without knowing who will find it and what they will do with it.

How I use the Zentangle Method in my life: The most useful thing for me to learn was that your mind tries to stop you, limit you and generates unreasonable fear. To see black on white, how those first emotions, often negative, do not reflect reality and that they should not become a recurring thought. Helped me to face the panic that I felt when speaking in public and therefore to be able to give classes to large groups or make speeches at events in front of an imposing audience. But in general, on a day to day basis, I notice how I feel calmer in unpleasant situations in life. What used to be a reason to get overwhelmed, I now receive calmly, aware that not everything is as bad as it seems at first. And that just as we see in our tiles, the shadows are necessary to be able to enjoy the brightness. Nobody likes the dark and sad moments, but without them the moments that shine, the moments to enjoy, would pass by without being able to see them.



My favorite story or memory about teaching the Zentangle Method is: The most exciting thing, beyond seeing how much my students enjoy it and the feedback I get from them, is to see how the practice of Zentangle can help children and adults. I had the pleasure of having a participant in my classes whose 15 year old daughter took to Zentangle in the pandemic when she saw her mother drawing with me. Circumstances led this young girl to discover Zentangle at a difficult time in her life that led her to fall into anorexia, until having to be admitted to hospital. There locked in a room, without being able to go out or receive outside visitors due to the pandemic. She clung to the Zentangle Method and drawing daily for hours, she learned to regain control of her mind and get out of the dangerous situation in which her health was in. To know that today she is back to normal life, returning to practice her favorite sport. It is something that confirms to me the great power of learning and applying the Zentangle Method.

Through my experiences as a CZT, I have learned: I have learned that we are all able to do things that our mind denies us. That creativity is in each one of us and we have the ability to handle hurtful emotions if we accept the fact that it depends on us, how much or how less we suffer in every situation of our lives. By drawing Zentangle you learn to accept past lines and forgive their imperfection. You learn to focus on the current one without thinking about the future lines. Since they depend on how you do the unfinished one, you cannot foresee the shape of your future line, to think beyond the present line is to neglect the current stroke. In life, thinking negatively about the past causes depression. To worry about the future causes anxiety. And both prevent us from enjoying the present as it deserves.

If I’m not tangling, you will find me…: Being a biker, apart from enjoying walks on beaches and mountains, my great hobby is to make motorcycle routes from Gijón to wherever it takes me.



Mosaic Name: Gildo_Sobrino_CZTEU3

Website/Blog: gildosobrinoczt.com (from August 2022)

Julie Willand

32 comments

  • What a wonderful inspiring story. Thanks for sharing.

    Brenda Jowers on

  • I loved your idea of leaving the tangle on the table for someone to find. I’m going to adopt that practice as well.

    Margie Ryan on

  • Ha sido un placer poder tanglear contigo, espero con ganas poder volver hacerlo , felicidades!!!

    Beatriz Gutierrez Paz on

  • Enjoy reading and learned a lot from your sharing. Yes, nobody like the dark and sad, but without them the moments that shine, the moments to enjoy, would pass by without being able to see them. Thank you for your sharing.

    Gek Lan on

  • Thank you for sharing your story. It’s a story that inspires me and how powerful the Zentangle method can be.

    Ruth Brunner on

  • Gracias Gildo por compartir en cada clase tus vivencias, por recordarnos una y otra vez lo que significa hacer zentangle y por transmitirnos esta maravillosa filosofía de vida. Enhorabuena por tus clases, nos seguimos viendo ahí.

    Nerea on

  • Thank you all from the bottom of my heart , for all those kind words.🤗🤗

    Maria, sabes que vuestra historia y la fuerza mostrada por tu hija, es una gran motivación para seguir trabajando para hacer llegar este método a quienes lo desconocen.🤗🤗🤗

    Gildo Sobrino CZT on

  • Me encanta tu historia, Gildo. Ha sido un placer conocerte en mayo y espero que nos vemos otra vez. Un abrazo fuerte y enhorabuena. Annie

    Annie on

  • Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with the Zentangle method. I have noted your quote and will adopt it as a mantra "thinking negatively about the past causes depression. To worry about the future causes anxiety. And both prevent us from enjoying the present as

    It deserves ’ CZT Gildo Sobriono Sierra. It reminded me of what Maria often says regarding the shading with charcoal and how you cannot have light without having the dark. I’m constantly reminded of all the life lessons we’re exposed to from all the wonderful people the Zentangle world exposes us to. Thank you again for sharing all your thoughts.

    Linda Lusk on

  • Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with the Zentangle method. I have noted your quote and will adopt it as a mantra "thinking negatively about the past causes depression. To worry about the future causes anxiety. And both prevent us from enjoying the present as

    It deserves ’ CZT Gildo Sobriono Sierra. It reminded me of what Maria often says regarding the shading with charcoal and how you cannot have light without having the dark. I’m constantly reminded of all the life lessons we’re exposed to from all the wonderful people the Zentangle world exposes us to. Thank you again for sharing all your thoughts.

    Linda Lusk on

  • The stories of tangling in a coffee bar and of the girl that recovered are heart touching… Thank you for sharing this, Gildo!

    Simone Rose CZT on

  • Congratulations Gildo for this trip full of more light than shadows that you have shared with the Zentangle community, thank you. You don’t just travel on a motorbike, my friend! No solo se viaja en moto amigo!!

    Iratxe Unzurrunzaga CZT on

  • Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings Gildo, “Not everything is as bad as it seems at first” “the shadows are necessary to enjoy the brightness” puts mine into words. Congratulations for beein such a strong branch in this tree.

    Carmen Menchón on

  • Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings Gildo, “Not everything is as bad as it seems at first” “the shadows are necessary to enjoy the brightness” puts mine into words. Congratulations for beein such a strong branch in this tree.

    Carmen Menchón on

  • Great to read Gildo Zentangle experience..😍

    Felicidades Compañero y a seguir disfrutando de todo lo que te aporta el metodo

    Meritxell on

  • Felicidades, Gildo por tu fidelidad y coherencia con el método y la filosofía zentangle en tu labor de profesor y divulgador y por recordarnos lo esencial. Es inspirador.

    Tomàs Padrós on

  • I enjoyed your sharing both your art & sage advice of how Zentangle can heal us from things beyond our control-to anxiety & even something as dire as a severe & life threatening disease such as anorexia . One of my grand daughters suffered this as well during the pandemic-it took her two years & various therapy to battle it as well . Her Art also helped her to wellness along with hard work with therapist also.

    I love the meditative affects Zentangle has given me in my 8 years of practicing this form of art daily .

    Penny on

  • Each of us who practices the Zentangle Method in everyday life, finds community within ourselves and others. What a meaningful pause in our journey!

    Ginger White CZT34 on

  • So happy to see Gildo featured in the CZT family tree. His artwork and his words are both beautiful. I really enjoyed reading this, especially the reflections on the Zentangle Method and the mind. “We are all able to do things that our mind denies us.” Worth remembering. Oh, and the motorcylce was a surprise!

    Jennifer Hohensteiner on

  • Sabes sacar del Zentangle su esencia más pura y enriquecerla con tu persona. Estoy segura de que la curación de mi hija no ha sido el único logro que has conseguido y que hay otros muchos por venir.

    Doy gracias al Zentangle y a ti por existir.
    Gracias Gildo

    Maria on

  • I really enjoyed reading Gildo’s thoughtful and inspiring words. There are so many wonderful souls in this community. 💕

    Anica on

  • Thank you for this thoughtful post. I especially love the explanation of using Zentangle to gain control over your mind and concentrate on the present and not plan and jump ahead. The pandemic was a stressful time, and I found that I spent a few hours everyday concentrating on Zentangle and this helped calm me and reflect. I appreciate you putting your story in this blog to share with all.

    Kathleen B Wiktor on

  • Another inspiring message about the ways in which Zentangle has touched our lives. Welcome Gildo!

    LaJuania on

  • I loved your observation about the shadows or dark times of our lives. How, without them, the good times might not shine as brightly! Thank you for sharing your philosophy. The brightness of your spirit shines in your work and in your story!

    Jessica Dykes (aka Jake) on

  • A beautiful, heartfelt journey. I love your idea of zentangling over a coffee, a tea or maybe even a glass of wine and then leaving your treasure behind for someone to find. Very inspiring and a wonderful demonstration of non-attachment. All the very best to you and those you touch with your art and soul.

    Laureen on

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