Someone wanted to know...

I was recently asked if "it was ok" to sign up for the 101 Basics class more than once. The person asking had taken a 101 Basics class a while back and wanted a refresher. She wasn't ready to go on to a Beyond the Basics class, but thought that was required, or at least expected, of her. The short answer is, "Of COURSE it's ok."

I'm here to tell you that the Zentangle® method is all about meeting you where you are, where you want to be right now, without pressure or competition or evaluation. While there are a plethora of directions for you to go with this meditative art form, both in traditionally tangled tiles and in Zentangle-Inspired Art (ZIA), what is most important to me is that you be (or become) comfortable in your tangling at whatever level makes you happy.

So, yes, you can take the 101 Basics class once, twice, or three times if it makes you happy. I do vary the tangles that I teach in the 101 Basics class from time to time, so you may learn another tangle or two if you attend more than once. Or you may just gain confidence and feel more secure after a repeat session.

The written class evaluations I've gotten from past students usually comment on not just the fun they had learning something new, but also in my supportive and reassuring teaching style. I'm here to help you be and feel successful, so feel free to go at your pace, and if it means repeating a class, there's NO stigma or shame, only GREAT fun to be had.

To paraphrase Mr. Spock, in honor of the recently-released Star Trek adventure... "Tangle on and prosper."

Grow an Organic Tangle Garden with me on July 13th!

If you are on the list for my Zentangle® 101 Basics class in July, or have taken a beginning class from me or another Certified Zentangle Teacher in the past, you may want to jump in and "Grow an Organic Tangle Garden" in the Beyond the Basics class on July 13 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. No Wellington boots, clippers, shovels, or leather gloves required.

We are going to learn how to compose a tangled "garden" using organic tangle patterns. Just as you would plan which plants to place where in a live garden, I'll share some ideas on which tangles work well together in a garden setting. Supplies are included in the class fee of $35. If you are interested, please contact me sooner than later, as space is limited in this Beyond the Basics class.

For questions or to register, email me at arupley55(at)gmail.com. Tangle on!

Waiting list for July 13 101 Basics Class

If you are looking for a 101 Basics class coming up, the next one with available openings is August 10 from 1 to 3 pm in Woodinville. There's been a flurry of interest in the Basics class this month, so there is now a waiting list for that date. As with the July date, class space is limited, so contact me to reserve your space soon. To register, email me at arupley55(at)gmail.com.

Zentangle class schedule set through August 2013

I've posted new information on class dates and content on the Classes page of this blog. Take a look and see what will work for you. I would love to help you along on your Zentangle® journey. Tangle on!

Ensemble tiles, 9 times the fun...

I've been meaning to post a sample of what you can do with the pre-strung ensemble tiles that you can get from your local CZT or from the www.Zentangle.com website. Below is a completed set that I tangled a while ago for an "ensemble exchange." In this exchange (which is a common thing to do with other tanglers), I kept my center tile and traded the other eight of these tiles for those tangled by other friends. We each ended up with an reassembled ensemble jointly created by the nine of us. My finished group ensemble is out getting framed at the moment. I'll post a photo at some point in the future.

 

So, here's how it works. When the tiles are laid out together in the 3 x 3 arrangement shown here, the strings in which to tangle are pre-drawn across the breaks in the tiles, leaving just the one border around the edge of the set of 9 tiles.

 

These ensembles are created from the same luxurious Fabriano Tiepolo artist's paper used for the blank Zentangle tiles, just utilized in a fun new way. On the back is space to sign your name, date, and add any notes or messages you want to, if you are participating in an exchange.

 

Interested in creating your own? Contact me. I'd be happy to help you.

 

 

Getting zen-spired and sharing it, again!

Admittedly, it's been a while since I posted, but I have to tell you (at least part of) why that's the case. In late March, I attended a gathering of Certified Zentangle® Teachers across the country from me in Northampton, Massachusetts. We spent a terrific and inspiring weekend learning from each other, sharing information, and getting both rev'ed up and a little silly. I know, that's not so zen, but it sure was fun. The only hiccup was the flight delay that caused me to spend an extra night in Hartford, CT, but hey, I had my tangling supplies, so I just chilled in the room and tangled away.

In these classes, I learned more about tangling with color, creating a tangled an "organic garden," and some additional "beyond the basics" ideas to share with my students. Our teachers included Marie Browning and Sandy Steen Bartholmew (love their books!), and I came home with a headful of tangled thoughts, but so excited.

Several of the CZTs which whom I attended certification training were able to make the trip as well, coming from places like California, Saskatchewan, and even Australia, in addition to those from the Northeast, South, and Midwest of the US, and other Canadian locales. The enthusiasm generated by being with these upbeat, sharing and caring people was nothing short of awesome.

Then, to make these last couple of months even better, Jenny, my CZT friend from Australia, made a trip through the Seattle area a few weeks later. We spent our time talking tangling, looking for patterns, shopping for teaching supplies, giggling, and eating gigantic pieces of deep chocolate layer cake at a restaurant in Edmonds, WA. The only down side was the Vegemite she brought along (wink, wink).

So apologies for the dearth of recent posts, but I'm back at it now. Working on a new list of dates for both Beginning Zentangle 101 and Beyond the Basics classes. I have some fun new ideas about the Beyond the Basics classes, which I'll explain here with an update before too long.

I'd like to give a shout out to all of my past students, as well. I've been re-reading your class evaluation forms, and while I'm enjoying that there are so many positive comments (thank you very much), I'm also taking note of what you said you would like to learn, so I can incorporate those things in upcoming classes.

If you already tangle, keep it up. If you would like to learn, contact me to start your Zentangle journey. You won't regret it!

Tangling a mermaid

Last weekend, I spent some time at a retreat at Camp Indianola on Puget Sound. A tangling opportunity presented itself in the form of a plywood blank in the shape of a mermaid. The nautical theme of the retreat and the mermaid outline got my imagination going. I decided to do a quick paint job on the plywood, which admittedly wasn't the smoothest "canvas" upon which to work, and then see what tangle patterns would suggest themselves. I only had limited pens available, so I worked with an Identipen for the majority of the project.

I tried for some patterns that suggested flowing hair and seaweed and some waves and foamy bubbles. I think it worked pretty well. I liked how the tangles just seemed to fit and grow into each other.

In the end, it was a fun experience. Next time I'd try it on a better surface with a pre-planned pen in mind to maximize the results. But here it is, warts and all, and I hope it gives you some ideas of your own. Actual size is about 24 inches in length.

 

 

If you are interested in learning the Zentangle® method of tangling, shoot me an email, and let's chat about it. Remember, "Anything is possible one stroke at a time."