Finding the Elegance in Limits

Julie writes…

We are often asked if Zentangle Project Packs are meant for beginners. Some of them are great for those getting started, but others are meant to push a more seasoned tangler outside of their comfort zone.

What I love about the Zentangle Method is that each tangler's comfort zone is different. We all have different styles, approaches and tangles we prefer and things that we do not naturally gravitate towards. I mentioned a few times during this project pack that Pre-Strung tiles are something outside of my comfort zone.

In my practice, I enjoy watching how a tangle unfolds organically and will often forgo the string entirely or opt for lots of loops and curves, knowing that I can follow the ones that feel right and ignore the ones that do not. I really lean into the idea that strings are suggestions and not demands.

When Molly first showed me the tiles for Zentangle Project Pack No. 26, I was excited. The strings looked fun and exciting but when I sat down to tangle with them, I felt a little stuck. For a moment, I thought I was uninspired, but I quickly realized I just needed to step outside of my comfort zone and embrace the elegance of limits. I began working with the different strings but using tangles that felt familiar and comfortable to me. Once I started embracing this framework, though, I felt inspired to work with some tangles that I don’t usually use. I explored using those tangles in my work and this is when I really started to have fun with the strings.

I began to see that the strings were not stifling me but pushing me to explore the limits of my creativity. What once felt daunting was now inspiring.

We all have our own styles and comforts within our Zentangle practice, and I will always hold those near and dear to my heart but every once in a while, I relish in the opportunity to push myself outside of those comfort zones. I find the Zentangle Project Packs are the perfect opportunity to do that and everyone is going to take something different away from each series. Sometimes, the theme and materials may excite you and other times they may challenge you. From the constraints of those challenges, though, comes beauty and creativity.

I would love to know what you all thought of Zentangle Project Pack No. 26. Maybe it was your favorite project pack to date or perhaps it was a challenge you embraced. Let us know in the comments and we will pick one at random to send a Zentangle surprise to.

You can watch all the Zentangle Project Pack No. 26 videos here.