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Zentangle as a Launchpad

Zentangle as a Launchpad

Molly writes...

I recently received this note from a CZT. Her story about her Zentangle Journey made me think about the idea that Zentangle acts as a gateway to other creative mediums and how awesome that is.

“I have done a lot of Zentangle and come as far as I want in the Zentangle spectrum. I have recently been delving into the exploration of other art mediums and found my home in fused glass!! But, in saying this, I have never forgotten my first love, Zentangle. I had signed up for a class called, “Survey of Glass at our local college and when it came time to introduce, I basically said that I didn’t consider myself an artist in any form except in Zentangle and then proceeded to try to explain the art of it. So, when it came time for the creation of a final project. I pitched the idea of doing an embossing idea combining Zentangle and glass. My instructor loved the idea!!”

- Nancy L. Zeitler

A Zentangle classroom provides a nurturing, non-judgmental space that supports creative exploration and growth for all types of artists. And one might assume that is the case all art classrooms. However, it is not, and although most of us start as children with vibrant creative spirits, so many of us have that spirit buried by the time we reach adolescence. We meet people regularly in our classes who share stories of giving up on art because someone classified them as not the creative type. Others tell us they had a teacher who graded or critiqued their work as not worthy or not right. Some talk about feeling a sense of competition and expectation of art having to be a certain thing. Others say that it was simply that they never felt acknowledged for their unique approach and differences, and the lack of encouragement left them afraid to pursue anything creative. Years pass, and that creative spirit that we are all born with becomes so far buried that we forget that we ever had it at all, and have perhaps lost faith in ever being able to access it again.

Since I have been teaching this art form, I have observed many positive side effects as a result of practicing the Zentangle Method. One of the most magical ones to witness is people discovering a newfound confidence and curiosity for all things creative. It is almost as if it uncovers that creative spirit that was buried years ago. I think it is because Zentangle draws you in with its accessibility and simplicity, but encourages you to keep going with its supportive structure. It embraces mistakes and finds beauty in all the unique styles that we as humans can have. There are no contests or prizes, and the culture and philosophies allow room for all the different ways to express ourselves with ink on paper. But here is the fun part. It does not end there. Once you find your way as an artist within the structure of the Zentangle Method, you will become more confident and aware of your potential as an artist in general.

It has been amazing to watch friends within the Zentangle community go on to work in other mediums like watercolors, ceramics, mixed media, textiles, glass, and more. It is heartwarming to see people surprise themselves with their ability. It is this beautiful gateway to all the other art forms out there. Once you realize you are a Zentangle artist, you will see that that makes you an artist. And you can take all the parts of the method that you love with you into other art forms. So, for those of you who have already ventured beyond, I applaud you, and to those of you just starting, I encourage you to try something new and see what you find. Just remember - you can always come back for a little crescent moon.

Molly Hollibaugh

21 comments

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  • I’m so glad you mentioned this. Recently I noticed my art moving into watercolor with Zentangle. It’s captured my heart so and my own artform is evolving. I had classic art training many years ago. However it didn’t include the calm method you have presented to us. In the art lab I lead we are experimenting with ways to be creative and develop original zen art. I’ve mentioned we start with Zentangle method because you have a great structure for mindful drawing and as we grow in our skills other artforms evolve.

    Yehudit Steinberg on

  • Since I was a child, I have always considered myself an artist. I was lucky to have nurturing, encouraging teachers from grade school thru high school. Couldn’t afford college, and parents promoted business track to prepare myself to find a job. Always dabbled in arts and crafts as a hobby, including calligraphy, basket weaving, quilting, doll making, sketching, doodling, watercolor, etc., but never had room for a room or “studio” dedicated to art. When my husband died, I moved to CT to live with my daughter, and discovered art classes at a local Senior Center. Painting and drawing classes were full, but luckily, the Zentangle class had room for me. I was leery at first, but by the end of my first class, I was hooked! As a previous comment noted, my “doodling” finally had a name! I had finally found an art form that didn’t require a studio. It was portable! It could be done anywhere, anytime, with just a pen and a piece of paper! It could be black and white, or color! It could be as big as a canvas or as small as a post-it-note! It could be a single fragment or a montage of patterns! There were no limits to its possibilities! That was in 2018, and I’m still hooked in 2025! Eventually, I was able to get into the painting class, which I also enjoy, and have incorporated Zentangle into some of my paintings. I also Zentangle on metal, clothing, shoes, bags and purses, pumpkins, just about anything! Thank you, Molly, Martha, Rick, Maria, (and everyone at ZHQ) for introducing this priceless gift to the worldwide Zentangle Community! Not to mention your continuuing support online and in-person! I am eternally grateful for all of you, for “re-launching” my long-dormant artistic interests and abilities! You literally helped me launch a new life!

    Jessica L DykesCZT39 on

  • I want to register for an online class. What is the cost please contact me.

    Shari Riggs on

  • Oh Molly! This is SO true! I started drawing as a child copying Peanuts characters and was told I was quite good. Somehow, somewhere along the line I dropped it tho I always did other crafty things (macrame, sewing). It wasn’t until I discovered Zentangle and had been doing it for a year when I finally held up a tile to appreciate it and said ‘I’m an artist!’ I’ve now moved past quilting and onto bookbinding and sourdough baking as other creative endeavors. And I openly consider them all to be art forms! Thank you to the entire Zentangle community!

    Rita Miller on

  • Thanks Molly and Nancy, I too have a few Zentangle learners who with the launch pad of Zentangle have gone on to do other artistic mediums, and have been blown away by what they have achieved! But they have all come back and credited Zentangle with the start of it all, and it’s beautiful method giving them the confidence to go forth and be creative, thanks for the reminder this morning – so true.

    Ildica Boyd on

  • When first introduced to Zentangle, I knew the patterns and “doodles” I had drawn for years finally had a name, and place in my heart! It has literally been a heart-healing journey.

    Ginger White CZT34 on

  • Oh yes yes yes- Zentangle & friends near & far have sustained me since my first class and through the pandemic & loss of one brother, mother & several friends! Always in my pocket or purse – given to doctors on “virtual roller skates” to lift us all on to the next step! Led me to try pencil portraits & to discover an author singer song writer & book that lifts my spirit even more – Allen Levi – Theo of Golden! More good in the world! Teaching seniors at local college and can’t wait to join you in a few weeks for a firmer foundation to share! With gratitude

    Mary Ellen Ziegler Czt 33 & Soon Czt 43!?! on

  • Thank you for sharing this! It resonates so clearly with my own experience. When I teach I share my own story of reconnecting with my creativity through the invitations that the Zentangle process offers. I tell my students that the genius of Rick and Maria’s sharing of this way of creating is providing a language for how art-making works in us. We get to experience the growth of confidence and joy in what we can do through following the steps, one mark at a time. And in doing so, we discover ourselves. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It has changed my life, truly.

    Diane Harpster on

  • Thank you for sharing this! It resonates so clearly with my own experience. When I teach I share my own story of reconnecting with my creativity through the invitations that the Zentangle process offers. I tell my students that the genius of Rick and Maria’s sharing of this way of creating is providing a language for how art-making works in us. We get to experience the growth of confidence and joy in what we can do through following the steps, one mark at a time. And in doing so, we discover ourselves. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It has changed my life, truly.

    Diane Harpster on

  • I love this post from Molly! I agree that Zentangle can encourage people who don’t feel like they are artists and revive people who have always been artists but have not felt connected to their creative spirit. I love the accepting and warm atmosphere of Zentangle classes, embracing no mistakes and one stroke at a time. I’ve personally grown a lot as I’ve practiced Zentangle and have seen a lot of growth in people I’ve worked with in terms of confidence and learning to love their own work.

    Dione Greenberg CZT42 on

  • I have always told my students and others that Zentangle is a “gateway art form”. When you realize you can draw and tangle you realize you can master just about any art form or at least not be intimidated.

    sue trembeth czt38 on

  • Ever since I became a CZT I have been teaching classes to residents in a retirement community. It has been heartwarming to see them suddenly realize that they are all able to create beautiful designs when they were convinced they did not have a creative bone in their bodies.
    Their arthritis pain has improved greatly, their anxiety and stress has eased noticeably and they can’t wait for the next class.
    They are so enthusiastic that I have even been giving extra classes during the summer as they could not bear to wait for the new term to start at the end of September.
    Zentangle is amazing!

    Kathleen McMurtry on

  • О, разбира се, Моли!

    Зентенгъл е добра, дори бих казала отлична стартова площадка за откриване на онова безценно зрънце, семенце, което е скрито във всеки един от нас!
    ТО е там и чака и се надява един ден да го засадим в плодородната почва, за да израсте!
    И няма грешки, и няма страх, и няма безпокойство, че то няма да порасне…
    Ще порасне и ще ни донесе радост в душата, спокойствие в ума, надежда и вяра, че ние можем…
    Виждам как все повече художници вплитат в своите произведения елементи от изкуството на зентенгъл…
    Откривала съм ги и в изкусните творби и на старите майстори… В рисунъка на врати, ракли, гардероби, маси и какво ли не…
    Важното е да имаме очи и душа за красивото, което ни заобикаля…
    Обожавам зентенгъла!

    Dafi on

  • О, разбира се, Моли!

    Зентенгъл е добра, дори бих казала отлична стартова площадка за откриване на онова безценно зрънце, семенце, което е скрито във всеки един от нас!
    ТО е там и чака и се надява един ден да го засадим в плодородната почва, за да израсте!
    И няма грешки, и няма страх, и няма безпокойство, че то няма да порасне…
    Ще порасне и ще ни донесе радост в душата, спокойствие в ума, надежда и вяра, че ние можем…
    Виждам как все повече художници вплитат в своите произведения елементи от изкуството на зентенгъл…
    Откривала съм ги и в изкусните творби и на старите майстори… В рисунъка на врати, ракли, гардероби, маси и какво ли не…
    Важното е да имаме очи и душа за красивото, което ни заобикаля…
    Обожавам зентенгъла!

    Dafi on

  • I love art in all forms so I have dabbled in various mediums, watercolor paintings, quilling, embroidery, quilting, colorist, but I have never given up my love of Zentangle. My first drawings were in 2014 and in September 2022 I received my Certification as a CZT. I have taught all age groups but my favorite classes were to a group of Neurodivergent adults at a nearby academy. So fulfilling to see them learn a new art method.

    Brenda Jowers on

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