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heARTistry

heARTistry

One of the wonderful things about Zentangle celebrating it's 20th Anniversary is that sometimes we have already written exactly what we want to say.

We invite you to revisit this blog from February 2023. Enjoy!

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Maria writes...

For as long as I can remember, I believed that I was an artist. If anyone asked what I did, that was my response. I lived and breathed it, saw it, wrote it and lived it. It was a daily comfort, a symbol of the luck that the universe bestowed on me.

Well, not the only luck, but you get my drift. However, it was not until Rick and I discovered what would be called the Zentangle Method, that I became a "HEARTIST."

My life, my attitudes, and my mission all changed in that moment. Everything was more. My art was heartfelt in ways I could not compare to my past. And it wasn't just me. I heard it from others, how The Zentangle Method changed their lives, often not being able to describe it in words other than just . . . better. I felt lighter and more grateful than ever before. I smiled a lot. Was excited about life. I looked forward to every day, waiting to see what it would gift me. I no longer felt the pressure to create, but the absolute joy of creating.

I leave you with a few examples of how "hearts" keep showing up in my work. It is so hard to put it into the precise words...but perhaps one of you may be able to...

 

 

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We have loved seeing all of the heart string tangles that you are sharing online and on the Zentangle Mosaic App! The app user randomly selected to receive a Zentangle surprise is @BethGaughanCZT38! Please send your snail mail address to info@zentangle.com.

You can download the Zentangle Mosaic App for free and search the hashtag #FromTheHeart2024 to see all of the heart string tangles!

Maria Thomas

103 comments

  • I remember feeling like an imposter the first time I claimed to be an artist. I had to grow into it.

    Deborah Butterfield on

  • Just yesterday my 85-year old friend asked me if I was an artist. She was my 8th grade English teacher and we have been friends ever since and I told her I enjoyed being creative. But now you have given me a new term to express my feelings about my creativity. So much of what I make I give away—it’s my way of showing love and care—and “heartist” carries just the right feeling with it! I’m so grateful for Maria, Rick and the Zentangle community!

    Lynne on

  • Hearts and hugs to you Maria. With love, Zencommunity. ❤️

    Kathy Y. on

  • I’ve always loved hearts (and angels). That I can include them in my ZIA makes me happy. I have always considered myself an artist but it was a title I didn’t use much if ever. Mostly it was because I thought my art wasn’t as good as anyone else’s and I was afraid to share it. Now since I’ve discovered Zentangle I am more likely to share what I’ve done and am always surprised how supportive people are. I now say confidently and with a smile on my face “I am an artist/crafter”. Thank you so much.

    Joyce Schieltz on

  • It has given me such joy! But I think the confidence and purpose is the most wonderful gift anyone has ever given me. I love teaching people the Zentangle Method. It has helped me through cancer (twice), meningitis that left me in a coma and the issues that left me with. I also have to say that the pandemic has been a blessing as well. It keeps me connected to people. It gave me the gift of becoming a CZT and a passion for sharing this wonderful way of making art. For people like me that don’t consider themselves artist it gives an outlet. It lets me create things I can be proud of and let go of the things I don’t have any control over.

    Cindy on

  • I love the oportunidades live brings to me every day with my Zentangle practice..I love myself  more and more and my inner artist because of Zentangle I would never have called myself an artist…but now, step by step I move into the world of “no mistakes”.

    carmela on

  • You have certainly touched the hearts of many!

    Clara A Brunk on

  • I love that you refer to yourself as heartest. That fits perfectly and I’d like to borrow it if you don’t mind. Yesterday I turned 70 in the hospital after a painful fall Thursday that injured my hip and lower spine. The fall plus the number 70 made me feel like an “old lady” all of a sudden. But I received so many heartwarming wishes from family, friends and the Zentangle community that yesterday was a great day indeed. Because of saying one stroke at a time so often, I decided to practice one day at a time, one little movement at a time. I’m finally sitting in a chair now and tangling a little bit. Of course I’ve shared about the Zentangle Method with some of the nurses here. So again I thank you and Rick for enthusiastically answering when Zentangle called and sharing that treasure with the world. Much love and appreciation to you all.

    Sandy Kelley-Jones CZT 23, 29, 32, 34 & 37 on

  • Zentangle opened up my world. I learn more about myself thru my practice and have lost my quick temper. Becoming a CZT is one of my proudest moments. I have made and continue to make friends all around the world. We all have a kinship that grows even though most of us haven’t met face to face, other than Zoom. I am so thankful to y’all for opening my world a little wider!

    Terri Young on

  • I would never have called myself an artist…but now, step by step I move into the world of “no mistakes”. I love the generosity of the “heartists” in the zentangle community. I love “passing it on”.

    Anne Harauz CZT 34 on

  • The word of the day for my class of Zentangle students is Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious. Chosen because it explains the indescribable wonder of Zentangling. Our tangle of the day is Zinger (obviously!)

    Thank you Maria and Rick, for bringing alive pattern drawin and sharing your hearts with the world. Your inspiration has changed my life by bringing me calm after tragedy, hope, and purpose, and the pleasure of handing someone a tangle that I created just for them.

    A friend turned 100 last week. I put 101 hearts on a Zendala for her with a note on the back.
    She was thrilled, and relieved it wasn’t another bouquet of flowers, and that it was made just for her.

    I think a new word for me to use in my classes will be gesture. It’s how something as simple as a lines, making patterns, on a small piece of special paper can convey so much sincerity when handed to a person at the right moment.

    Gesture … It describes the lines, and the way we draw them, as well as give them. My new mantra as I draw …

    Ann Baum on

  • My heart is grateful for the gift of freedom that your Zentangle Method has brought to my creative soul. How wonderful that your heart was open to receive the ‘Aha!’ that led to Zentangle and the multitude of people touched and nourished by it. There is a vey long and widening wake flowing from your life’s work, energy and love. ❤️

    Paula Ansley on

  • When my husband was in the hospital getting treated for cancer in December I made a bunch of small decorations for the doors on the cancer floor. I had a lot of time there. I saw a Facebook post of someone else that I don’t know whose husband was there a month later. They are reusing them. I think I’ll make some more. https://share.icloud.com/photos/078tJwQ8n3ErbcotBDz6ZuoBQ#UC_Davis_Children’s_Hospital

    https://share.icloud.com/photos/0ddTg1hFKaQLeqiZxFCfilfBw#Yuba_City

    https://share.icloud.com/photos/0bemIuBjjEZsQWrFGnSWd7wfg#Home

    I learned how to do this at the Rocky Mountain Zentangle Retreat.

    Roberta Dunham on

  • The zentangle method means a way of calming the chaos within! One stroke at a time. I love your hearts Maria!

    Suchitra on

  • I have always wanted to be more artistic, more creative than comes to me naturally and that I so admire in others, especially when perceived as being nearly effortless. For me it flowed in fits and starts, sometimes seemingly from nowhere, other times needing a small prod or a thumping push! Zentangle has instead provided me the elegance of limits that permit me a freedom I literally feel in my heart, whether working on a piece or just thinking about it throughout the day. The positivity makes my heart swell, and sing and sometimes brings me to happy tears. It’s an odd but welcome set of feelings unfelt before I began tangling. It is hard to put into words until you look at the Zentangle method: full unadulterated gratitude for everything from exceptional, beautiful materials to the creativity and generosity of everyone at Zentangle head quarters to that of the community. That’s what makes my heart full.

    PamS on

  • Knowing I have Zentangle, in my back pocket, gives me great comfort!

    AndreaR on

  • I too believed I was an artist although never voiced it outloud to any one! My Mom was an artist and I so wanted to follow in her footsteps. I dabbled in watercolor and various crafts throughout the years.

    When I discovered Zentangle it opened my heart…it gave me an outlet that I could accomplish what was in my heart and mind and transfer it to paper.
    It has been with me through some very difficult years and has soothed my soul.
    I thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing this wonderful artistic gift to me and the world.

    Elaine Palbiski CZT21 on

  • I always knew that I couldn’t draw. Until I found Zentangle. That changed my life as you will understand. And even when I was (so very nervous) waiting to be taken to the ok two years ago, I tangled. Think that was the real prove of what it did to me 🙏🏼

    Annemarie Huijts on

  • “Artist” was NEVER a word used to describe me – either from myself or from others. Then I met the Zentangle method. It totally fits the way my brain works. I was pleased and impressed with myself when I finished my very first tile! It has increased my self esteem to the Nth degree. I am actually proud of what I create! Thank you, Rick & Maria, for giving me a new sense of value and positivity. I am a tangler for life!

    Rhonda Nelson on

  • Zentangle gave me a chance to reconnect with art after 20 years. It gave me a way to help me retrain my brain from Many chronic health issues. During the pandemic, it has provided me with solace and comfort and a worldwide community of other artists and tanglers. I was honored to become a CZT spin afterwards. It’s changed my whole life.

    Melissa Flores on

  • Zentangle means peace and safety to me. I’ve been using it to help manage panicky times and stressful times. It’s my key to a good life. Xxx

    Amanda Peart on

  • So glad you are a heartist and not a tangleist. Life looks so much better with zentangle in it! Thank you

    Nora Bucko on

  • Happy Valentine’s Day❣️ Zentangle has shown, taught and guided me through love in many ways. Especially self love, care and respect. Thank you for everyone in this community for sharing & being so open with their hearts. ❤️💛❤️

    Jennifer on

  • Zentangle means to me strength, growth, calmness & the ability to stay sane & focused in every day life, but also during the most horrific tragedy of losing a daughter. I try to teach my students these important values for them to go through their life with grace, an open heart, love & kindness to all, no matter what they have to face & overcome.

    Leslee Feiwus on

  • I am so grateful that I found the Zentangle Method because it helps with my overall mental wellness. I have generalized anxiety disorder and in moments when my a anxiety is high I can spend time tangling to help me cope better and return to a calmer state of mind. It has been such a life changer for me💕

    Kim on

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