My Own Renaissance

I have always made things. It has always calmed me and I enjoyed ‘getting lost’ in my creations. I never considered it finding zen but really, that’s exactly what it has been all my life. I’ve explored most every form of creating things that I could think of and come out with a few successes. Enter and exit cancer treatment and I was a different person. No longer could I manage to cut fabrics, ply a needle, let alone guide a glass cutter. I could barely hold a fork in my hand to feed myself. Needless to say, cancer treatment did not treat me kindly but I was determined to find something to help me. I had listened to a podcast from a physical therapist who said you have to use the injured limb to regain use. So I found adult coloring and I could again hold a pencil in my hand and the time I could comfortably hold it increased. I found it difficult to find things I actually wanted to color. Then I injured my back and every forward step I had made and then some went away. For months all I could do was lay down. My mind was extremely active and I just couldn’t continue being almost paralyzed. I remembered that podcast and picked up my pencils again. Enter my husband who was admiring my latest coloring page and he said … but I’ve always thought you should be creating your own drawings. I’d never considered my drawing abilities up to the task but I kept hearing his words. I had seen Zentangle in the store but dismissed it because I can’t draw. Somewhere in the next few months I found myself watching a Zentangle YouTube video and I thought I can do this! (Although I don’t remember who made that video, my heartfelt thanks go out to you!) I have been tangling ever since. Zentangle gives me the freedom to explore new designs, experiment with colors, and I even enjoy sharing my accomplishments. I’ve finally gotten enough courage that I’m going to try adding watercolors to my tiles! Thanks to all for bringing this to my life. One day I hope to be physically well enough to attend classes and become a CZT.

I first started Zentangle in 2012 or 2013, I saw it on Pinterest and thought it was really fun, then I got busier and kind of got away from working on it, then last year at the end of January I went to the “Pinners Conference” in Kansas City with my daughter, and there was a class by a lady named Delphine, I took that class and that was my Renaissance moment, this class definitely revived my spirit for Zentangle. It has helped me through so much this year, with physical issues, the loss of my brother, and turning 60. I have found so many amazing CZT’s online that I follow, and the calming voices of the Zentangle staff during the many project pack videos I have watched to go along with my project packs. I have become so much more comfortable with my drawing skills, and instead of saying I can’t do that, I say let’s try this, and if it doesn’t work out the first time (sometime 2nd an 3rd like Kelpie), I continue to try. I work in a hospital for the mentally ill for 37 years now, and some days I j

I first started Zentangle in 2012 or 2013, I saw it on Pinterest and thought it was really fun, then I got busier and kind of got away from working on it, then last year at the end of January I went to the “Pinners Conference” in Kansas City with my daughter, and there was a class by a lady named Delphine, I took that class and that was my Renaissance moment, this class definitely revived my spirit for Zentangle. It has helped me through so much this year, with physical issues, the loss of my brother, and turning 60. I have found so many amazing CZT’s online that I follow, and the calming voices of the Zentangle staff during the many project pack videos I have watched to go along with my project packs. I have become so much more comfortable with my drawing skills, and instead of saying I can’t do that, I say let’s try this, and if it doesn’t work out the first time (sometime 2nd an 3rd like Kelpie), I continue to try. I work in a hospital for the mentally ill for 37 years now, and some days I just need to unwind, and I encourage so many people to try it. Thank you all so much for all your encouragement, and hard work on the videos you share.

Mine was when I followed along with Zen Linea’s online 100-video series. I absolutely loved the addition of white to the tiles; it adds so much depth, and then adding the shading – ooh la la! Renaissance tiles are still my favourite tile to draw on; there’s something really special about drawing on tiles that are reminiscent of times gone by!

Pam Signorelli, CZT, an accomplished and experienced certified art teacher K-12, had recently moved to my area. I was a receptionist at the local senior center when she came in asking if there might be interest among the members in taking an art class. Admin said yes, and what would become a grand adventure began! Another member also took the class. She has become a CZT as well. Both have become friends, as well as others met through Zentangle classes, in person and online. It helped me rediscover artistic abilities long dormant and took away my hesitation in trying something new for fear of not being good enough.

Actually, my own Renaissance began recently! Practicing Zentangle since 2016 or 2017, becoming a CZT, it was always a “fall back” form of expression. Pens and tiles at the ready, part of my activity bag tagging along on medical appointments. Not long ago, after reconnecting with my sister-in-law, we spoke about how we navigate through life. I introduced her to Zentangle and sent her a starter kit of sorts, made up of some of my own supplies. Once again, the synchronicity of Zentangle, the gentle reminder of how important this practice is to me, and to share the benefits with those around me came through.

I am still find my way in the Renaissance style. I worked with tanned paper en a brown / sepia micron. But i see so much lovely renaissance style but i don’t know which material like pencils etcetra i need. So tips are welcome, so i can try to make a beatiful peace of art a la the renaissance style.

We often talk about and share our “aha” moment with Zentangle—- that moment will forever linger in our memory. But strangely today, when you talk about renewed interest and revival, my mind immediately went to my Zentangle journey. One in which I share with my students who, whether they come to class to merely get out of the house, or are on their own journey, (or both!) they trust me enough to venture along WITH me—— At the end of class I typically thank them- to which they often respond (are you crazy) “thank YOU”. For that trust, and their open willingness to share their art, I am eternally grateful and consider it a major component of my Zentangle journey-

I have always been “crafty” but never considered myself artistic or creative… but this past summer I decided I could at least draw the icso strokes… wow! I never dreamed I could draw such pretty things!!! I’m loving it! Not only can I draw those simple strokes but I can even manage shading, highlighting, and even some color now and then! I still follow a lot of tutorials but I do add my personal touch… and step out on my own too! It’s fun, relaxing, inspiring, and affirming!!!

In 2019, my daughter was having extensive surgery, and I needed to find a way to deal with the stress. I tried drawing, which turned out more like very rudimentary doodles. I found the Zentangle site I liked what I saw and started watching videos and eventually working on the project packs and in September 2022 I became a CZT. I still look at my work and can’t believe it’s actually my work and at times I still struggle to call myself an artist. But it has given me the confidence in myself to continue, and I recently started learning watercolor. Drawing and painting is my refuge and my quiet place. Thank you, Julie for the wonderful reminder that we are all artists!

Teaching Zentangle to help people discover calm in their lives is a joy. So many opportunities to show confidence, letting go, and discovering art patterns with pen and beautiful paper. I always learn from my students as well.

Around Christmas 2020 when my local knitting store was closing, I met with the owner (a friend) and another friend and showed them what I discovered online. I walked (taught ) them through how to make a folded Xmas tree and than we tangled it! We were all hooked! We have been tangling on Zoom since and I got my CZT online ❤️

In 2019, I was transitioning between careers, and needing a practice or hobby to help me center myself. I’ve drawn all my life, but sporadically, and struggled with prompts and inspiration. I remembered my kids had done units on Zentangle during middle school, and discovered my wife had Beckah Krahula’s book on her shelf, so I started going through the book, a lesson a day. The Zentangle method answered the questions of prompts and inspiration, allowing me to let go and “just draw”, which led to greater satisfaction with what I drew, and a meditative practice I can do anywhere, anytime. I eventually joined Eni Oken’s Art Club (man, do I miss it!), which helped me with the “art” side of tangling — but the core remains the practice of just drawing, and carving time out of the day to center myself through creation.

In early 2025, my sister was recovering from major brain surgery, so we couldn’t go do fun things. I stumbled upon Zentangle online, bought a few supplies, and that was it – I was completely immersed. It helped me handle the stress of caring for her. She got better, but I’m still tangling! Thank you for this amazing creation.

Zentangle truly is a Renaissance art form in the fullest sense of the word. It has given me – and in turn – my students so much joy. Just watching students who told me they were not creative, not artistic, could not draw a straight line with a ruler – suddenly realizing they are creating beautiful works of art. That gives me so much joy and makes them so happy. One just wrote me this morning saying – Zentangle makes my heart sing!

If my dog’s haircut hadn’t run overtime in 2013, I don’t know when my Renaissance would have begun. But as it happened, when a dog groomer told me that she needed a bit more time with my English Springer Spaniel, I wandered across the street to a craft store and found myself doodling on the sample papers in front of a rack of Microns. A passing store worker asked if I needed help, then paused and regarded the Micron in my hand. “Are you looking for Zentangle supplies?”

“What’s Zentangle?” I asked.

Discovering the Zentangle Method in mid 2015 as I was.about to retire, was truly a revival for me. Trained as medical illustrator in the ‘70s, life took me in another direction, (or two!) And I stopped.drawing entirely other than illustrated eyes i would occasionally draw whilst at conferences or in arduous meetings, I wasnt leading; or having a colleague draw 5 five random lines on a piece of paper that I would turn this way and that and create something out of it over a few minutes. Finding Zentangle sparked a renewed interest in creating art. Particularly alluring was its non representational freedom. Totally the opposite of rendering. Top that off with my early embrace of the Renaissance tiles and I was.in love. Sure the paper was.more tender and could get angry if you worked it too hard but the mid tones took it all to another level of magical. I am anticipating lots of fun and indeed another revival in 2026 as my pesky thumb calms down and I can spend more time.comfortably tangling to my heart’s content on my favorite paper. With gratitude, always, Pam

When I teach Zentangle, I always tell about how I discovered this way of creating. I’ve been drawn to making things as long as I can remember. Crayons and construction paper as a child. Fabric and thread as I got older. Wood and paints as a young adult. But I had lost track of a creative practice in my middle age years. My soul was longing for something. And Zentangle found me. What a gift it continues to be in my life. I, too, never considered myself one who could draw. But not only can I do Zentangle drawing – but the practice changes how I move through life in so many ways. Thank you!

My Renaissance began May 6, 2015. To help calm myself down while my mother was almost at the end of her life, I started doing adult coloring. But that didn’t do anything for me. Then my senior center started to teach Zentangle and that really resonated with me! Five years later I became a CZT. There really IS a Zen affect while tangling.

During the fall of 2016, I was lecturing an exorbitant amount of nursing courses, as we were short staffed with professors. I saw that a Zentangle class was offered through OLLI and decided I needed some ‘Zen’ in my life. I took the 60 minute class and the rest is history. I was hooked. It was not until 2021 when I retired, that I was able to take the certification to become a CZT. I tangled as much as I could while still working, but now my craft room is dedicated to Zentangle. I’m so blessed and thankful I took the time to join that 1 hour class 10 years ago.

Mine really began when I visited my sister who had become a CZT in 2012 and I saw her beautiful drawings. When I retired from a full-time job in 2019 and was trying to figure out what I was going to do with my time, I thought about her drawings and decided to give it a try, even though I thought I was not the least bit artistic. I love it and practice it almost every day… I am a CZT now, too. Thank you for making my retirement so enjoyable!!

This is me! I’ve always wanted to draw, but my sister was the “artist” and my attempts were dismissed early in life. When my home became an empty nest, I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole of “how to draw” and found Rick’s paradox video and recognized that THIS was what I was searching for; easy to learn, no color choices and no dreaded perfection. Thank you all for discovering and sharing the Zentangle Method! What a ride this has been 💜