Exceeding Expectations

I taught a class last week that was all about exceeding expectations.

Check out the amazing first tiles my two new students created:

When I was packing for my class, I had about eight people signed up to attend with a few maybes.   I'm always excited to teach no matter what size the class, although it can be exciting to think about introducing the Zentangle® method to a larger group.  There's just something about the energy and excitement that builds with a larger audience.

Then we were hit by plagues.  Email after email announced illnesses or family emergencies leaving me unsure if anyone would be able to attend.  I encouraged everyone to get well and to join in another class when they were able.  There's always time to explore and to learn this amazing art form.  It's far more relaxing and enjoyable when people are at their best.

I went to my class unsure if anyone would show, but I tried to remain encouraged.  I set up my display and teaching materials and was then greeted by two of the friendliest faces!  Two lovely ladies came to my class filled with enthusiasm.  We had a wonderful evening which turned out to exceed any expectations I could have had.

One of the women had seen some Zentangle art, was inspired, and even purchased some books.  She knew that she had to take a class and encouraged her sister to join her.  Both were creative and crafty but had not tried the Zentangle method previously.  Within minutes, I think both were hooked!

At the end, one of the attendees said that the class "exceeded her expectations."  Both thought this technique was just what they needed and were eager to do more (and signed up for another class!).

I had the most amazing evening with these ladies.  The class was intimate and allowed for an exploration of any questions or ideas that were raised along the way.  I enjoyed deviating from my lesson plan as we talked about different topics related to tangling.  I felt artistically invigorated and didn't want the night to end!  I always love teaching, and I never cease to be surprised by the fact that each and every class is different and brings its own unique attributes.  I learn something new every time and am always grateful.

Since I wasn't sure I'd have attendees, my expectations were definitely exceeded.  Even better, I got to enjoy a relaxing and creative night with two lovely people.  It was a joy to share my passion with them and to watch them explore the Zentangle method for the first time.

I even learned some things about myself.  I mentioned how I constantly see patterns in the world around me.  One of the students said that my daughter will benefit from my tangled view of the world.  I know that the sense of relaxed focus that I achieve from my tangling benefits me and my family, but I never realized that my creativity and world outlook had changed so much.

My students taught me that my excitement about the world around me--and the patterns that make it up--is something that I will share with my daughter.  Learning something so profound about myself as an artist, a person, and a mother certainly exceeded my expectations of the night I'd spend.

When I got home after class, my daughter asked me where I was.  I told her that I taught a Zentangle class.  She snuggled up close to me and asked if I would teach her how to do it when she was bigger.  I can't wait until she's able to hold a pen for long enough to tangle!  I look forward to a lifetime of tangling together and admiring shapes in the clouds, finding patterns in nature, and picking out shapes all around us.  She made me feel happy knowing that I have something special to share with her.  I didn't realize that I'm already sharing my passion with her in so many ways even before she's able to focus and hold her pen.

Take a chance today.  You never know when something might exceed your expectations.

A Tangled Birthday

I had the good fortune of being invited to teach at a birthday party for an adorable 7-year-old girl and her friends recently.

The girls explored tangling on traditional tiles and on scratch art with animal stencils.  I think the colorful scratch art was the hit of the party.

As always, I find so much inspiration from watching my students learn to tangle.  These girls were amazing to watch.  Each one played with the patterns, made up her own, and evolved patterns into new and interesting looks.

I love how fearless kids can be about trying new things.  The birthday girl looked at some of my artwork and immediately started recreating the patterns that she liked without instruction.  I hope she will continue to find patterns and inspiration all around her.

One of the girls burst with enthusiasm when she realized that some of the patterns reminded her of the Cutie Marks on her favorite My Little Ponies.  I keep smiling just thinking about her excitement.

One of my favorite moments from the party happened during the instruction of Pingline by Sandy Steen Bartholomew.  This penguin-looking pattern is fun to create but generated an unexpected response.  The mom and her smiling 5-year-old daughter noticed that the initial stages of Pingline looked just like Yoda!  First, I love that a 5-year-old adores Star Wars.  Second, it is always fun to find shapes and hidden ideas inside patterns, but it's even more fun when they remind you of things you truly love.  I hope she continues to draw Pingline-inspired Yodas all over her artwork!

This same girl was concerned when she first started her scratch art because she had colored in a part and didn't like it.  With some encouragement, she continued and filled the rest of her piece with patterns and other filled in areas.  By the end, she was beaming with smiles and said that it didn't even matter that she had colored in the first section.  I love how forgiving the Zentangle® method can be for all ages!

Check out the fun scratch art that the girls created:

I was thrilled to hear that the girls kept tangling after I left.  I hope they were as inspired as I was.  What a fun way to spend an afternoon!

Getting to Know Charlie

This week's Diva challenge was of the UMT (Use My Tangle) variety.  We were challenged to use the pattern Charlie created by Erin Olson, aka the Bright Owl.

This is an easy pattern with a lot of possibilities for tangleations and fun.  How could a pattern inspired by Charlie Brown's shirt not be fun?

I used the new Zentangle Renaissance tile for this piece because I'm enjoying playing with different colors and effects even if they don't always scan that well.

I started with creating two bands of Charlie in the middle.  Next I added some bold black stripes for a lot of contrast behind the brown.  I added Paradox inside Charlie for some delicate line work against the black.  Even though I like white space, the white gaps seemed a bit too bare to me, so I filled in with some Jetties.  I have a feeling that every Renaissance tile I create will have 'Nzeppel in the background.  I love this pattern anyway, but I like how it looks even more like stones with the white highlights.

I will be honest.  I did not like this tile one bit when I created it.  I loved making it and playing and filling in the different areas.  I typically enjoy trying new patterns.  I just wasn't thrilled with the outcome, but I did like it more after I added the heavy shading around the center blob.

What I love about the Zentangle® Method, is that it doesn't matter if I am passionate about this particular piece.  This was a small tile and a great mini canvas for experimentation.  Do we all get things right the first time?  Do we always master something new when we first do something?  Let's think back.  Were you nervous when you first got behind the wheel of a car, or did you just hop in and drive beautifully?  And even if you know how to drive, do you ever get nervous about driving to a new area?  

When my daughter (or all of us!) first walked, did she just stand up and go, or did she stumble and fall on her rear end a million times?  Even now that she's an expert walker, jumper, and dancer, she still approaches some new situations with caution.  Good thing or she'd dance off the stairs!

Sometimes learning new things, even if we have some experience, can produce unexpected or undesired results.  I think it's important to remember that life is a learning opportunity.  Just because the first try at something might not be to our standards (gasp, am I showing my perfectionistic tendencies?), it doesn't mean we give up.  

With tangling, we can always pick up another tile and start again.  I never let it get me down when I create a piece and feel "eh" about it.  Instead I just feel inspired to try again and to practice more.  Sometimes I never feel fully comfortable with a pattern or a technique.  As long as I enjoy my journey and the relaxation I achieve while tangling, that's all I think really matters.

I say, tangle on!

Inspiring Students

I am constantly impressed by the amazing artwork that my students create.  From beginners to regular tanglers, each has a unique style and interpretation of the Zentangle® method.  I love to see what everyone comes up with, and I especially love it with people share their art with me after class.

Another thing I love about the Zentangle® method is that it is perfect for all ages.  It is a wonderful activity for parents and grandparents to share with the rest of the family.  Once mom, dad, or grandma learns the technique, the kids often want to join in on the fun too.  How wonderful to spend time together creating art!

I love to teach classes with mixed age groups because I think it's inspiring for everyone.  Kids understand the idea of process over product and can help the occasionally stubborn grown-ups to forget about "mistakes."  Adults can guide and encourage children to try new things and to be curious about the world around them.  Try taking your family on a pattern hunt the next time you go shopping, sight seeing, or for a drive.

Two of my adult tangling students recently shared the work created by their young relatives, and I just had to pass on the excitement.  These tanglers, a mom and grandmother, inspired another generation to create art.  I think that's a pretty amazing passion to pass on, don't you?

Kristy, who was a very talented artist before experiencing the Zentangle® method, showed her 6-year old son her work.  He was so inspired that he made his own reproduction.  Check out the great job he did:

Another of my wonderful tanglers invited her grandson to my last Tangle Time Club session.  After the club, he made valentines for his classmates.  I heard that he added a little color to each one too.  Look at the cool design he came up with:

The Zentangle® method is for everyone!  When you share it with your family and friends, you will enjoy some creative fun together.

Happy Valentangle Day!

I've been rather inspired by Valentine's Day this year and have enjoyed using a variety of heart-shaped tangles in my art.

For last week's Diva challenge, we were encouraged to tangle up some love in a "Valentangle."  My entry is on one of the fun new Renaissance tan tiles.  I started with 'Nzeppel in the heart then built a nest of tangles for the heart to rest upon.  I love playing with blacks, browns, and whites on these new tiles.

I hope you spent Valentine's Day doing something you love--like tangling!

Never Give Up

I've learned that I should never give up on a piece even if I don't like it in the beginning.  One of the joys of the Zentangle® Method is not knowing the end result.  It's an exciting journey to see where your artistic muse will take you.

I try to be open to the process and just create, but sometimes, I feel a bit stuck.  When that happens, I immediately put the piece aside so I don't become bogged down with frustration.  I pick up another tile or paper and start again so I keep the creativity flowing.  I'm always pleasantly surprised when I pick up the piece I had cast aside and I find new inspiration to keep going.  I look back on those pieces fondly because I remember that I need to have a little bit of patience--with myself and with my art.

Since the Diva's challenge using the new official Zentangle® pattern Aquafleur, I've been playing with that a lot too.  This swap is to create a deck of cards, and I toyed with drawing the card suits.  I drew the shamrock/club outline but didn't like how it came out.  I put that ATC aside for a while until I figured out what I wanted to do with it.  I decided it was perfect for some Aquafleur and was thrilled with the end result.

Many of the ATCs I've been working on for my swap have been monotangles, or pieces using primarily one pattern.  Once I discovered the pattern Wheelz by fellow CZT Joyce Block, I had to make several!  I love this pattern and how easy it is to create.  It's a fun, flowing pattern that can fill a variety of spaces.  I enjoyed playing with red and black on these ATCs.

Playing with Patterns

Do you enjoy playing with tangle patterns?

I love challenging myself to try different patterns.  Sometimes I can get stuck on a handful of favorites, and I enjoy mixing things up and trying new things.  I never know when I'll find a new favorite!

I've been playing with a variety of patterns referenced on TanglePatterns.com or the Diva Challenge.

Last week, the Diva asked us to play with the pattern Jailed Johnny by fellow CZT Sadelle Wiltshire. I'm finally getting around to posting my response to this challenge.

Here is an ATC with a variation of the pattern.  I played with it in my Tangle-A-Day calendar and found that I enjoyed using the pattern in a band or border.  It was fun to alternate the heart shapes.

This is a timely pattern for Valentine's Day too.