Art class teaches to Zentangle worries away
Teacher praises art form as way to cure anxiety and stress
Robin Grant
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 14, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Zentangle may look like the elaborate designs you aspire to doodle someday but Barb Round, a certified instructor who will be teaching the art form in a workshop next week, says it is much more.
Zentangle instructor Barb Round's "zendala" is an example of one way to "tangle." It is designed in a round shape, like a mandala, a spiritual and ritual symbol in eastern religions, representing the universe. - photo courtesy of Barb Round
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In the Zentangle Method, to "tangle" is to scribble intricate, connected, repetitive patterns in black and white on pretty much any surface.
Enthusiasts have inked their designs on tiles, quilts, cards, clothes, shoes and even a plain piece of paper, among other creative applications. Some create "zendalas," or round designs similar to mandalas, a spiritual and ritual symbol in eastern religions, representing the universe.
Zentangling is different and more complicated than doodling, Round explained, because it is a philosophy, a method and an art.
For example, practitioners claim it is a relaxation technique that creates mindfulness and tranquility as the "tangler" becomes absorbed in drawing repetitive patterns.
The zen part of tangling sounds like something born out of a Buddhist temple but it is widely known to be invented by two Americans, Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, 10 years ago.
Over the years, the Zentangle Method has gained international popularity with American comedian and actor Rosie O'Donnell espousing the art form and selling her "tangles" on the e-commerce website, Etsy.
Practitioners say tangling, which is the word used for sketching the intricate designs, increases focus, creativity and a sense of personal well-being.
"When people focus on making small lines on a piece of paper, it's very engaging for your brain," Round explained.
"And when your brain is engaged in that way, I like to say that it shuts up all the 'shoulda, coulda, woulda' in your head for a while. It helps block all the busy thoughts you have and just gives you a little calm space in your mind."
The Zentangle Method is easy to pick up, she said, and the patterns, once learned, can be adapted to represent an artist's unique creativity.
In her two-day workshop on July 19 and 21, Round will be teaching certain tangling patterns and what to do with those patterns.
"It's very simple (...) We use a lot of the same motions that you use in handwriting, so almost anybody can do this. If you can hold a pen and write your name, you can Zentangle."
Round said the first introductory class, which is a prerequisite for the second class, will involve completing two small pieces of tangle art, inked on tiles and learning a dozen patterns and shading them.
In the second, more advanced class, students will create complex designs with an emphasis on shading techniques.
In addition to leading to creative satisfaction for individuals who don't consider themselves artistic, the method has therapeutic benefits, according to Round.
"Several of my students have come back to me and told me that they use it for their insomnia," she said.
"These are busy people and they chose to sit down for 10 minutes or 20 minutes before they go to bed and tangle (.) they say it just clears their head and allows them to go to sleep because all of those busy thoughts."
In fact, the official Zentangle website lists the art form as a remedy for insomnia, panic attacks, stress, dietary issues, addiction, anger and many other ailments.
"By choosing to do the art, you can claim that calm space for yourself whenever you wish. Many people liken it to a meditation, but, frankly, I can't do meditation, I can do this," said Round.
