Learning to read "betweed" the lines.

There are certain emotions and experiences in life that can never exactly be translated into words ... but what if there was language that could? One that all cultures could use and understand. A language that was unique to each person. A language that reflected how we all have a different mark to leave in our world, in our hearts and on our tiles of course.

When I teach Zentangle I try find the fine line between teaching my students how to draw specific tangles with enough guidance that they understand, but also trying not to be so specific that they are unable to discover their own unique approach.  Many times my students will digest what I have said in such a way that they discover or create something totally new.

Last night my class and I created a monotangle tile with "betweed". The way that each person took this tangle into their own hands was awesome. Each tile became such a unique expression of this very simple collection of lines on paper. Each tile stood alone as a wonderful piece of artwork and also played such a strong role as part our Zentangle mosaic.

This was an adult class I taught at a local library except we had on very young adult in the class (age 10) ... I am sure that you would never guess which tile is hers ... so amazing!

Cheers everyone ... here's to reading "betweed" the lines.

Smiles,

Molly

Thursday is Zentangle night at The Victorian!

Fall Schedule 2013

September 5^th, 6 - 8pm - Introduction to Zentangle

September 12^th, 6 - 8pm - Beyond Basics - “String theory” 

September 19^th, 6 - 8pm - Beyond Basics - Grid tangles 

September 19^th, 8:15 - 9pm - Zentangle Meditation Session

September 26^th, 6 - 8pm - Beyond Basics - A trip to “Tripoli” 

October 3^rd, 6 - 8pm - Beyond Basics – Monotangles

October 3^rd, 8:15 - 9pm - Zentangle Meditation Session

October 10^th, 6 - 8pm - The Illuminated letter 

October 17^th, 6 - 8pm - TBA

October 24^th, 6 - 8pm - Intro to Black Zentangle tiles 

October 24^th, 8:15 - 9pm - Zentangle Meditation Session

October 31^st, 6 - 8pm - TBA

November 7 - Beyond Basics - Tangle to Tangle 

November 14 - TBA

Full class descriptions and information under the "classes" page of this blog.

A delight

Sometimes in life we experience how the gathering of people can create something very special. Most of the time we cannot plan how all of our unique minds will come together, but once in a while it almost seems magical. Last night I taught a group of the most wonderful, creative minds. Their ages ranged from 6 to 16. Each one of them coming from different different places, but finding themselves all in the same place this particular night for a Zentangle class at the Library. The attention and focus of these kids was above and beyond anything I could ever expected at the end of a hot and sticky Summer day. They followed along intently, digesting all the steps of the Zentangle method. And then without hesitation took my instructions and used them as propellers to take their artwork in directions I had never seen before. I enjoy and learn so much from every class I teach. I woke up this morning with a smile, eagerly going back to look at the pictures of the amazing tiles that these kids created. I couldn't help thinking how special it was to watch how the energy of 20 different kids came together one night at the library.

Tiles created by kids at the Sutton Public Library.