My Zentangle Story. Laurel.

“The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.”

— www.zentangle.com

I recently reconnected with Laurel on Instagram, drawn in by the beautiful, bold and complex Zentangle designs she created and regularly posted. I enjoyed viewing the variety of striking patterns while noting the inherent creative possibilities that this art modality provides. Being a doodler myself, I have always been interested in this approach and recalled a very similar and simpler process that I used long before I discovered the Zentangle Method. In several of my pen and ink sketchbooks, I would begin with a similar square outline in the centre of the page and then create my design of lines and patterns within that structured frame format. There was something particularly satisfying about this mindful technique of “contained doodling” and the repetition of intentional mark-making. Laurel’s designs infuse this process with an inspiring detail and intricacy -- and her work continues to evolve, exploring both 2D and 3D creations as well as a variety of surfaces and materials.

In her story, Laurel speaks to the magic of creativity when she discovered a modality that truly resonated, and the benefits of mastery when those learned techniques provided such possibility for further exploration and creative play. She relates how creative problem solving and flexibility enabled her to pivot in the pandemic to teaching online, continuing to nurture her interest in sharing her skills through instruction. I look forward to participating in one of her guided instructional workshops and learning from her as a registered CZT Instructor.

Thanks Laurel, for sharing through this story your beautiful creations, inspiring process, and authentic journey of artistic discovery. I am sure your story will inspire others.

Laurel’s Story.

One serendipitous day in June 2013, I stumbled across a creative method that would change my life. Aimlessly scrolling through the latest submissions in a Facebook photo a day group, an image of one member’s in-progress black pen drawing caught my eye. More than merely a simple doodle, something about the beauty and complexity of its design appealed to me, and I knew I had to investigate this intriguing artform for myself.

The word “Zentangle” was mentioned in the discussion surrounding the photo, and a quick Google search led me to the Zentangle website. With growing excitement, I read their “What is Zentangle?” introduction, then watched a couple of instructional videos, giving tangling a tentative try with a ballpoint pen and a scrap of paper. Even with those rudimentary tools and a level of artistic uncertainty, I knew instinctively that this was it – this was going to be “my thing.”

*Art Design & Photo Credit: Laurel Storey*

I jumped in with both feet and ordered the Zentangle kit along with an assortment of books and supplies (not necessary in the pursuit of learning to tangle, but something I am wont to do whenever I discover a new interest!), and anxiously awaited their arrival.

Right from the moment I learned my first tangle pattern, I was completely smitten. One of the things about Zentangle that appeals to me the most is that even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, or don’t think you know how to draw, or don’t believe you’re creative, you WILL be able to tangle. I’m serious about this! Each tangle pattern is broken down or “deconstructed” into several steps, and single tangle patterns are put together to form larger drawings, so what may look like a complex piece is actually a series of single, simple steps.

Zentangle gave me the tools I needed to develop my own latent creativity – far more so than anything else I’d ever tried. Unlike some of my previous artistic pursuits, where my well-intentioned purchases quickly gathered the dust of disuse, my tangling supplies were hardly idle long enough to suffer the same fate, and my love affair with Zentangle has continued to this day.

At some point during my journey, I realized that I wanted to share my enthusiasm and passion for Zentangle with others, helping them to discover and nurture their own creativity. I knew that to do so I would have to take the next logical step: it was time to put my dream of becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) into action.

It took me awhile to get there, but I’m thrilled to say that I made it to Providence, Rhode Island in June 2016 (exactly three years after first discovering the joy of Zentangle!) to complete my training with Rick, Maria, and the rest of the Zentangle team at CZT Seminar 25.

Learning Zentangle started me down the road towards building creative confidence – and completing my CZT training was transformational. I began offering introductory classes almost immediately upon my return home from the seminar, and since then have taught both introductory and advanced Zentangle and Zentangle-Inspired Art classes to more than 300 individual students. Once self-described as shy, I am now comfortable teaching and speaking in front of both small and large groups – something I never would have dreamed could happen! I believe that such personal development is unlikely to have occurred without my having stumbled upon and pursued this wonderful artform.

Things took an unexpected turn with the arrival of the pandemic, when lockdowns, gathering restrictions, and social distancing abruptly and unexpectedly made in-person classes an impossibility. Though I’d never actually considered doing so, I rather reluctantly decided to give online teaching a try. I started out by offering a free session (to test both my and my equipment’s capabilities!) and discovered – much to my surprise and delight – that I loved it. Who knew?!

As it turns out, connecting with students online over the past couple of years has become one very definite bright spot in an otherwise distressing and unsettling time. Where once my classes were limited to my own geographical area, I am now able to bring Zentangle to students worldwide, with each of us joining in together from the comfort of our own homes. It isn’t at all what I’ve been used to, or where I expected my teaching to lead me, but the experience of offering online classes has truly been an incredible adventure.

I am grateful for every opportunity I am given, whether in person or online, to share the joy of Zentangle with my students. Seeing others create beautiful things and, in some cases, come to believe (some for the first time) that they CAN create beautiful things, just never gets old.

Laurel

If you’d like to follow along on my tangling journey (or discover the joy of Zentangle for yourself!), I invite you to visit me online:

Websites: Laurel Storey, CZT and Ten Thousand Tangles

Facebook Page: Laurel Storey, CZT – Ten Thousand Tangles

Facebook Group: Ten Thousand Tangles Creative Community

Instagram: LaurelStoreyCZT

The Zentangle®1 Method.

1 The Zentangle® Method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.