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CZT Family Tree: Katrina Thiebaut

CZT Family Tree: Katrina Thiebaut

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 Katrina Thiebaut!

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Name: Katrina Thiebaut, CZT 22, 32, and 36


 
Favorite Tangle: Mooka
 
Favorite Place to Tangle: Anywhere and Everywhere
 
How I use Zentangle® Method in my life: Zentangle® Method permeates all of my life.  I use its focus of gratitude and appreciation most of all. One of the things mentioned in The Book of Zentangle is, “Be thankful for this opportunity to treat yourself to this moment of creativity.” I find myself saying this to myself about the moments of my life.  “Be thankful because it is all creativity…the way we view the world, the way we interact with others, the way we can be present in the moment we are in and look for the good in it.” I also like to think of the String as a metaphor.  I might have something planned out or expect others to act a certain way in a situation. When things don’t go as planned, I try to think of the “String,” which is my life and how it is only a guideline. I love the Zentangle® definition of the string being “the elegance of limits.”  It is both safe and full of possibilities for drawing tangles and for living life.
 
Another and equally important way that I use Zentangle Method in my life is to create whimsical drawings of faces with tangled hair. I have drawn over 400 of these. I have called them Zen Kin®. I draw the faces and then use the Zentangle Method of drawing the deconstructed patterns called tangles for drawing the hair.  When I have finished all the steps of the method, I sign my Chop and then I give the drawn character a DOB (Date of Birth) which is the day I draw them, and also a first and middle name.  These Zen Kin have given me great joy and have been known to bring smiles to others. It is wonderful for me to do something that I enjoy so much and then have the bonus of others’ appreciation and enjoyment of it.  I have plans to teach and give permission to interested fellow CZTs how to make Zen Kin Cousins and teach their students. My dream is to have a collection of actual tiles sent to me from all over the world of Zen Kin cousins. I will fill my walls with them with gratitude. I first want to have others experience the joy of creating these cousins as I have enjoyed creating the Zen Kin; and second, I want to foster an even greater sense of community while we experience living during a World-Wide Pandemic. The world is full of cousins and making Zen Kin Cousins with the purpose of connecting makes my heart just sing! I will be providing more information about this on my website.

This winter, I have head fun creating Zen Kin in the snow!



 
Through my experiences as a CZT I have learned: I have learned that CZTs are like family. Family has always been the most important thing in my life. Jason Mraz has a song called “Look for the Good,” and one line stands out to me in that song.  It is, “look for the people who will set your soul free.” I learned that I have a “family” of CZTs that set my soul free. Zentangle is about appreciation and gratitude.  Being part of the CZT family is a safe place for me where others are nurturing, supportive, caring, and they not only are appreciative of my art, but also of others’, and most importantly, of their own. I will forever be grateful to Rick and Maria for making this business what it is and for making their priorities be gratitude and appreciation and the method of drawing beautiful art that is meant to be appreciated and never judged. CZTs all over the world are busy telling people there are no mistakes, only opportunities.  I cherish being among them.
 
If not tangling, you will find me…enjoying my family. 


Mosaic Name:  KatrinaThiebautCZT

Website/Blog: katrinaszenkin.com

Bijou

66 comments

  • Maravilloso

    Pascual on

  • Thank you for featuring my contribution once again. I am grateful to you and appreciate you all at Zentangle®️

    Katrina on

  • It was a pleasure getting to know Katrina better at the first ZenAgain. The Zen Kins are so fun! And I love Jason Mraz! Looking forward to a day when all the CZT ‘kin’ can gather once again!

    Leslie Barr on

  • I just love your interesting fun Zenkin and would love to learn and add some Australian cousins. I might need to make some sand drawings of them as i have little access to snow, but that looked like great fun too

    Ros Czt36 on

  • I enjoyed Katrina’s Tangeling in the snow it was just so much fun to watch. I love the unique faces you create with Tangled hair! Thanks for sharing your story.

    Josephine J Wood on

  • Oh Katrina! I enjoyed watching you doing your zen kin in the snow! I have a big smile on my face right now! ❤️

    Anita A Westin on

  • So, so clever!!!

    Becky on

  • I have so enjoyed my Zen Kin that I got at the last ZenAgain… such whimsy and joy!

    Leslie Hancock on

  • Thanks for sharing Katirna. Fun seeing where some of us have come, I too was in CZT class 22 Loved the snow video.

    Sue Leslie on

  • I have long admired her Zen Kins and can’t wait for a class! What a gift it will be. She also has a way with words. I anxiously await to meet the next Zen Kin!

    Clara A Brunk on

  • Katrina! Just when we wonder if we’ve seen it all, we’re introduced to your Zen Kin! These extraordinarily beautiful faces even seem to represent our unique world cultures, which I love. But most of all, they radiate joy! I can’t wait to learn how to create and enter the world of “Zen Cousins”! Thank you for sharing your unique gift! 💝

    Bonnie Johnson CZT36 on

  • Wow! This is great! Even your feet are creative!!!

    Sheila on

  • I was so lucky to meet Katrina in person several times. Never a dull moment when she is near! Some members of the growing Zenkin community live in my studio to remind me of the “mother” of the family. Every time I see her dribble another Zenkin in the snow she makes me laugh.

    Maria Vennekens on

  • Katrina, Truly a delight to watch! Thank you for sharing your gift 🥰

    Sue McDonald on

  • Katrina, you are such an inspiration! You personify gratitude and appreciation and have such a warm and welcoming spirit both for your Zen Kin and all the friends you have made through the Zentangle. I love wearing one of your pins, Audrey Carin, born on 5.1.18., especially in winter when it is cold and dreary. I look forward to tangling one of your Zen Cousins in the near future.

    Arlene Mindus on

  • Simply spectacular Katrina. Thank you for sharing.

    Catthi Olson on

  • Oh sweet Katrina! I am so happy to see this collection of love and praise and respect showered down on you. No one deserves it more than you. You are always there for a friend with an open heart and an endless supply of kindness and supportive advice. Love your zenkin family! xoxo

    Martha Huggins on

  • Wow~ That’s cool. I applaud your belief. ^^

    hyun sook lee on

  • Hello Katrina, I’m so excited for you and being a member of the Zentangle Blog community. I sooo enjoy your Zen Kin and proudly display the one you gave me. Looking forward to participating in the Zen Kin Cousins project!

    Barbra Gary, CZT26 on

  • What a wonderful ‘happy adn creative’ video Katrina! I could see that you enjoyed every minute of creating Tia, she is adorbale. I can’t wait to join you in learning how to make Zen Kin Cousins. Your work is so inspiring!

    Sue Ingram on

  • Congratulations – so proud of you. I am up for trying to create a few cousins!

    Arlene Lane on

  • I love reading all of your comments. Katrina is so very talented and I know for a fact that she loves Zentangle and the friends she has made along the way. Her creations are astounding and fun and happy. As her sister and friend, I continue to watch this unfold and bloom and am so proud of her and happy for her. Love you always!

    Brenda Starkey on

  • Love this! Brilliant, clever use of Zentangle. Can’t wait to try drawing one. Fun video…. a Zentangle Dance. Thank you for the inspiration. ♥️

    Laureen Inez on

  • I absolutely loved this! Thank you for the inspirational words and beautiful Zen Art! Watching you in the snow was mesmerizing! Delightful!

    Pattie Grove on

  • I enjoyed seeing Katrina doing a Zen Kin in the snow! Amazing! Keep doing those Zen Kin!

    Nathalie Paré on

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