The Zen of tangling is not only a creative process, but one that assists in clearing your mind, relaxing and entering a meditative state.
Showing posts with label artwork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artwork. Show all posts
Friday, March 23, 2012
You Just Never Know...
During the week, I had the opportunity to share Zentangle with a group of cancer survivors through a Livestrong program. What a wonderful experience it was. I met so many interesting, caring people who enjoy tangling immensely. One of the participants was a woman who works with area hospitals and Ronald McDonald House. She plans to share my information with the powers-that-be there. I'm
so thrilled at the groups response and feel validated each and every time I share Zentangle with someone.
You just never know what will happen next or where Zentangle will take you! I am truly blessed.
Have a wonderful weekend of tangling. The new round tangle tiles are wonderful! www.zentangle.com
Monday, October 24, 2011
Time & Days
It seems there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all I would like to, but even if there were, I would be wishing there were more, so... Getting the most out of my work day begins with an early morning routine of checking my email, my websites and blogs. This takes about an hour, but it's very important. I like to stay in touch with what is happening outside my own little world. I then gauge what I need to get done and set my list accordingly. A mental list is good, but writing it down seems to make it more imposing for me.
I get started right away while my energy level is high and things are running smoothly. I've managed to assemble a studio that doesn't look like a bomb had gone off, and I endeavor to keep it that way. In between artwork projects, I try to do household things like laundry, dishwasher starting (thank goodness for dishwashers), and making the bed. Dust? Who dusts? That's a Saturday job. LOL
When I break for lunch, I leave the studio. It gives me time to breathe, relax a bit so I feel refreshed when I return to work. A half hour is enough for lunch and a breath of fresh air.
The afternoon flies by. I don't know why, but it does. When my energy lags, I take a break (usually around 3 p.m.) and have a cup of tea with a light snack. Then it's back to work. My work day doesn't end at 5 like normal jobs do, but tends to go longer, sometimes to 8 or 9 at night with dinner in between. When I know I haven't enough energy for more or when things begin to go awry, I know it's time to quit.
Not everyday is long and drawn out, but when those creative juices start flowing it's important to make the most of them and TIME is of no consequence at that point. Neither is dinner, chores or anything else.
How do you manage your time? I'd like to know, so please add your comments.
I get started right away while my energy level is high and things are running smoothly. I've managed to assemble a studio that doesn't look like a bomb had gone off, and I endeavor to keep it that way. In between artwork projects, I try to do household things like laundry, dishwasher starting (thank goodness for dishwashers), and making the bed. Dust? Who dusts? That's a Saturday job. LOL
When I break for lunch, I leave the studio. It gives me time to breathe, relax a bit so I feel refreshed when I return to work. A half hour is enough for lunch and a breath of fresh air.
The afternoon flies by. I don't know why, but it does. When my energy lags, I take a break (usually around 3 p.m.) and have a cup of tea with a light snack. Then it's back to work. My work day doesn't end at 5 like normal jobs do, but tends to go longer, sometimes to 8 or 9 at night with dinner in between. When I know I haven't enough energy for more or when things begin to go awry, I know it's time to quit.
Not everyday is long and drawn out, but when those creative juices start flowing it's important to make the most of them and TIME is of no consequence at that point. Neither is dinner, chores or anything else.
How do you manage your time? I'd like to know, so please add your comments.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Turning the page
As I browsed my latest tangling book, Tangled Letters, Numbers & More...Oh, my I realized how much fun I had putting the designs together and how meditative it was to create such a book. When I write mystery novels, I don't get that same relaxed feeling as when I tangle. (But, it is a whole different genre, too.) There really is much to be said for tangling. I'm so glad that I took this art to heart when I first saw Sandy Steen Bartholomew's article in the Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine a couple of years ago.
When designing books, pieces or anything in the art field, it is a good idea to put it away for a few days or a week (if you can), then take it out and review the work. You'll have that "Wow!" feeling at how much you put into the work and how different it appears now that you have been away from it for a while. This new book is due out within a week and I am very excited about it. Here is a page for you to see, and the cover.
In a class I held last Friday, a student brought in a sketchbook where she has been compiling her tangles. She was as proud of her work as I was excited to see it. If you have a piece you want to share with me and my readers, please send it to me and I will happily post it for you. It's inspiring to see the ideas of others.
When designing books, pieces or anything in the art field, it is a good idea to put it away for a few days or a week (if you can), then take it out and review the work. You'll have that "Wow!" feeling at how much you put into the work and how different it appears now that you have been away from it for a while. This new book is due out within a week and I am very excited about it. Here is a page for you to see, and the cover.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Retreat Education
The first ever Zentangle Retreat held in North Andover, MA last weekend was attended by 15 tanglers. Some CZT Masters and some CZT's. Suzanne McNeill sat next to me the entire weekend. What a great person she is. She told me she had recently sold Design Originals, her publishing house, to Fox Chapel Publishing but that she was going to stay on staff to work with the artists who would be published through the new company. She was certainly excited and pleased over the fact that she would be on the creative end more than the "business" end.
Every person attending shared something about themselves during the intro session. The results were so much fun. It seemed everyone was exhausted and truly in search of a weekend of relaxation and meditation through tangling. Attendees came from Texas, Canada, New England, Michigan and New York state. I'm sure I'm missing some places, but can't remember all the locations. :>) There were supplies to be shared and played with, to be bought, and then there were the goodie bags. Each of us brought a goodie for each bag. The surprises were wonderful. I received pens, tangling tiles, a small resin boot from Texas to hold my pencils or markers, soap, shampoo, a rusty tin shape of Texas, some shrinky dink materials (which I plan to try my hand at today), and some other great items. The bag was paper, but was tucked inside a cloth bag that we were asked to tangle. It took 2 days for me to finish mine.
There were breakout sessions where we talked about business, and also watched demos of tangles that we had found difficult during training.Mooka was hard for some, but I just love that design. We all received a fairy wand from Susan Smith. She is a life coach (and CZT) who explained how she starts her class by stating the students will be able to do all that she asks of them. She spoke of how breathing to relax is key.
Information on class development, corporate retreats, and building a data base was also covered by Christine Britos, a business coach from MA and one of the people who hosted the weekend.
For class development, Christine advised that we begin with our audience. Find out where they are coming from, and how Zentangle fits into their lives. This way it becomes easier to figure out what they will learn first.
For corporate retreats, the Human Resources Department is your target. Get to know the head of the department. The mover and shaker so to speak. Ask about the goals for a class and what they expect. It's all about "what you can do for them and what rewards they will reap from a tangling class". The benefits to the participants of the class is of utmost importance. Just saying relaxation and meditation isn't enough. Expand on how your class will increase productivity and take it from there. Really think about your pitch.
Christine mentioned defining your target market. If you want to work with children, adults, senior citizens, corporate, or the mentally or physically wounded (in all areas, not just soldiers), then focus on that particular area. Think of your plan and how to go about reaching the places you want to fit into and how you will fit into them. Always evaluate your experience, so you'll be a good fit. Offer a free or a small fee beginner class of a half hour to an hour to become established with the human resources or powers that be person(s). It can simply consist of a demo along with the history of Zentangle or the attendees could do a simple tile that they could keep. You would collect the pens and pencils, though.
Building a data base is as simple as passing around a notebook so people can sign up with their email, name and phone number. This enables you to follow-up after the class is over. Before participants leave, ask each person to briefly explain what they got from the demo/class. This helps you figure out your weaknesses, strengths and where to go from there.
On the designer and artistic side of the retreat, I had the chance to speak with Bette Abdu (the woman who worked in conjunction to Christine Britos in order to bring the retreat to fruition) about Copic markers, the benefits of tangling with colors and markers, as well as where to get information on a variety of places that offer deals and great prices on materials.
Suzanne McNeil, Sandy Steen Bartholomew and I talked about publishing, where the business is going and what the future holds in the tangling world. The upshot of that was....there is a great future for tanglers, tangling and the publishing of it. One of the most important aspects of publishing is to meet deadlines. Otherwise there is a trickle down effect resembling the old domino theory. One person falls down on the job and it goes to the end of those in line.
I hope this has been informative for those of you who couldn't attend and maybe it will prompt you to go to the next retreat in 2012. I know I wouldn't miss it!!
Check out the Photo Gallery page for some ideas of what we did and who was there.
Every person attending shared something about themselves during the intro session. The results were so much fun. It seemed everyone was exhausted and truly in search of a weekend of relaxation and meditation through tangling. Attendees came from Texas, Canada, New England, Michigan and New York state. I'm sure I'm missing some places, but can't remember all the locations. :>) There were supplies to be shared and played with, to be bought, and then there were the goodie bags. Each of us brought a goodie for each bag. The surprises were wonderful. I received pens, tangling tiles, a small resin boot from Texas to hold my pencils or markers, soap, shampoo, a rusty tin shape of Texas, some shrinky dink materials (which I plan to try my hand at today), and some other great items. The bag was paper, but was tucked inside a cloth bag that we were asked to tangle. It took 2 days for me to finish mine.
There were breakout sessions where we talked about business, and also watched demos of tangles that we had found difficult during training.Mooka was hard for some, but I just love that design. We all received a fairy wand from Susan Smith. She is a life coach (and CZT) who explained how she starts her class by stating the students will be able to do all that she asks of them. She spoke of how breathing to relax is key.
Information on class development, corporate retreats, and building a data base was also covered by Christine Britos, a business coach from MA and one of the people who hosted the weekend.
For class development, Christine advised that we begin with our audience. Find out where they are coming from, and how Zentangle fits into their lives. This way it becomes easier to figure out what they will learn first.
For corporate retreats, the Human Resources Department is your target. Get to know the head of the department. The mover and shaker so to speak. Ask about the goals for a class and what they expect. It's all about "what you can do for them and what rewards they will reap from a tangling class". The benefits to the participants of the class is of utmost importance. Just saying relaxation and meditation isn't enough. Expand on how your class will increase productivity and take it from there. Really think about your pitch.
Christine mentioned defining your target market. If you want to work with children, adults, senior citizens, corporate, or the mentally or physically wounded (in all areas, not just soldiers), then focus on that particular area. Think of your plan and how to go about reaching the places you want to fit into and how you will fit into them. Always evaluate your experience, so you'll be a good fit. Offer a free or a small fee beginner class of a half hour to an hour to become established with the human resources or powers that be person(s). It can simply consist of a demo along with the history of Zentangle or the attendees could do a simple tile that they could keep. You would collect the pens and pencils, though.
Building a data base is as simple as passing around a notebook so people can sign up with their email, name and phone number. This enables you to follow-up after the class is over. Before participants leave, ask each person to briefly explain what they got from the demo/class. This helps you figure out your weaknesses, strengths and where to go from there.
On the designer and artistic side of the retreat, I had the chance to speak with Bette Abdu (the woman who worked in conjunction to Christine Britos in order to bring the retreat to fruition) about Copic markers, the benefits of tangling with colors and markers, as well as where to get information on a variety of places that offer deals and great prices on materials.
Suzanne McNeil, Sandy Steen Bartholomew and I talked about publishing, where the business is going and what the future holds in the tangling world. The upshot of that was....there is a great future for tanglers, tangling and the publishing of it. One of the most important aspects of publishing is to meet deadlines. Otherwise there is a trickle down effect resembling the old domino theory. One person falls down on the job and it goes to the end of those in line.
I hope this has been informative for those of you who couldn't attend and maybe it will prompt you to go to the next retreat in 2012. I know I wouldn't miss it!!
Check out the Photo Gallery page for some ideas of what we did and who was there.
Friday, July 8, 2011
CZT Retreat - The Countdown
If you've tried different ways of tangling without being seated, let me know, I'd sure like to do more than sit, sit, sit.....:>)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The thrill of tangling
It is so relaxing to tangle that I've made it a part of my daily routine. It doesn't matter when or where I tangle, as long as I do. One, two, maybe even three tangles serve to regenerate my mind and body! It really is a form of meditation as you get lost in it. I'm hosting a small gathering of friends to share this creative art form with, but believe me, you don't have to be an artist to enjoy or create a tangle.
The other day I was speaking with a friend about tangling and she started to laugh. When I asked why she was laughing at me, she said she hadn't seen me so enthused about anything as I am about this in a long time. I thought about that for a while and you know what? She was right. This winter has been long and brutal. Cloistered in the house, I have had cabin fever to the point where I couldn't get out of my own way. Well, that is over! Even though we still have snow in the yard, I can get out and walk and best of all, tangling has saved me from depression. What could be better than that?
The other day I was speaking with a friend about tangling and she started to laugh. When I asked why she was laughing at me, she said she hadn't seen me so enthused about anything as I am about this in a long time. I thought about that for a while and you know what? She was right. This winter has been long and brutal. Cloistered in the house, I have had cabin fever to the point where I couldn't get out of my own way. Well, that is over! Even though we still have snow in the yard, I can get out and walk and best of all, tangling has saved me from depression. What could be better than that?
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tangling Days
With the holidays on the horizon, I am in need of tangling more than ever. Dates for upcoming conferences loom, and submission deadlines for conventions and publicity are just a normal part of my day. Top that with teaching 3 classes per week and chaos reigns. So, I try to tangle daily. It helps me keep my mind clear, my workload in perspective and a myriad of other things that need doing stay somewhat organized. I'm not feeling harried or stressed like I have in the past. I thank tangling for that. If you haven't given it a try, then you should consider the perks of what tangling can do for you.
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