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Finding the Elegance in Limits

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.

Julie Willand

34 comments

  • I have struggled with trying to use and teach pre-strung tiles in the past. I felt they took a bit of the process away from me.

    The project pack helped me see how to get past my own blind eye so to speak and imagine that the pre-strung String might’ve been something I created. After I accepted that string, I could fill the tile.
    Thank you for expanding my Zentangle step four.

    Lisa Hoesing on

  • I loved this project pack and it really challenged me. I inadvertently gave away the tiles in the pack thinking they were the same as other pre-strung Zendalas of which I had plenty. I only realized my mistake in the first video session! Oops! So I decided to really test my own ‘elegance of limits by using the older pre-strung tiles. I found the challenge so satisfying! Loved being way out of my comfort zone!

    Kathleen McMurtryCZT on

  • I loved this pp26! The last one seemed to me to be perfect for beginners and then you can always add “a seasoned touch”! This pp starts seasoned and you can stay the course or spice it up even more! And then the colors!! So fun 🤩 Thank you!

    Missy Keller on

  • I love the Project Pack videos, and all the other video classes from HQ (like Be Well), and try to follow along using my own materials. I usually watch first, then tangle later. The challenges presented by Zentangle HQ, are always fun, but often force me out of my comfort zone. (Which is why I watch first and tangle later). My greatest pleasure is seeing the gorgeous PP results posted on the Mosaic app, by all the tanglers participating. I love seeing the many variations each artist has made. It’s almost like I’m getting permission to “color outside the lines.” Which sounds silly given the philosophy of “the beauty of limits.” But seeing Maria, Rick, Martha and Molly doing it, somehow releases me from my natural instinct to stay within the preprinted boundaries. Like Julie, I am not fond of the pre-strung tiles because I feel obligated to honor the beautiful designs. These videos show me how to use them, (or ignore them). But more importantly, that the decision to do so is mine, and mine alone. Thanks Julie, and everyone at HQ for that reminder! •○☆●♡●☆○•

    Jessica L Dykes on

  • Yes, Julie! I don’t easily embrace pre-strung tiles either. I absolutely love the results from this project pack though. It has given me the confidence to try some different tangles using these strings. Thank you to all for producing this (and all) project packs.

    Mary Kay Cass, C.Z.T. on

  • Project Pack 26 was just right! It had new materials to explore and a good blend of of familiar tangles used in different ways. PP26 is good for tanglers of any experience level 😘

    AnnCZT36 on

  • I really enjoyed this Project Pack. I have always found it easier to have some limitations when making decisions. If the possibilities are open and endless, I feel overwhelmed! I found these strings very elegant and I can’t wait to share one or two of these lessons with my class.

    Pam Hartz Miller,CZT 13 on

  • Project Pack 26 was terrific! I’ve been tangling for a little over a year and the Project Packs have been my teachers along the way. Each one brings new things to learn about tangling and each teacher adds their own style method. Such wonderful “class” set up for me. My challenge in PP 26 was the color. They were bright! And pale and in between. Initially I said I would skip the brush pen and stick to the General colored pencil but no. Decided to go with the challenge. Some I loved and some not so much but the practice and slowing down were also a great learning experience. Thank you so much for all you do to bring art into the world.

    Deb DeCicco on

  • Thank you so much for all the work you do to create these beautiful Project Packs. At first I wasn’t sure about the string on the tiles, but as I begin to create the tiles (still working on them) I am loving them. It always amazes me how beautiful the tiles turn out if you just slow down and enjoy the process. 🙂

    Diane Jonas on

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