What is Tangle U?

I had the pleasure of attending Tangle University last week in Portland Maine.  This three-day conference is put together by Elaine Huffman (along with many volunteers) and is only for Certified Zentangle Teachers. I had a wonderful time meeting many Tanglers whose blogs I follow and had the opportunity to speak in person with the likes of Marie Browning, Suzanne McNeil and Sandy Stein Bartholomew.  So exciting!

Nancy Dawes, Marie Browning and Barb Round

Suzanne McNeil and Nancy Dawes

There were so many really great presentations by amazing Zentangle artists. I learned so much that I am still trying to process.  Look forward to some interesting classes in my upcoming schedule based on what I learned.

Sakura of America made a fabulous presentation and shared with us a sample of most of their different pens and markers.  I made a tile to share with Glaze, Metalic and Moonlight pens.

I used a Zentangle tan tile as my base and tangled Abacus, Adele, Popva and Fluttertile from Sandy Steen Bartholomew's Tangle app (that's all I had available while waiting at the airport and that's all I needed). Then added Nzepple.

Happy Tangling!
NancyD

New Zentangle Artists!

I recently taught two beginner Zentangle classes; one at Scrapbook Central and one in my own studio (aka dining room table).  After teaching 24 and 17 respectively at the Elder College I am finding that I really enjoy the smaller, more intimate class size of 4-5 students.

Every beginner class starts with the basics of Zentangle while creating that 1st tile with standard Tangles like Crescent Moon, Hollibaugh, Tipple and Knightsbridge.

April 12th in my Studio

March 22nd at Scrapbook Central

When it comes to the second tile I have been experimenting a little bit with the string and combination of Tangles.  Poke Root, Poke Leaf and Cadent are a given, but then I change up the remaining Tangles depending on the desires of the group.  It seems that some are more comfortable with grid-based Tangles and some prefer the more organic Tangles.

April 12th

March 2nd at Scrapbook Central

In any case, I am totally have a great time Tangling and sharing this wonderful art form!

Happy Tangling!
NancyD

Final Elder College Class and Social

Hi all!

We had a wonderful final class at the Elder College on April 3rd.  We worked with tan tiles and learned a few new Tangles.  I really like the tan tiles with the combination of black, brown and white ink.  They effect can be so dramatic!

This part of the class where we put all our tiles together and have a good look at what we all created is such a wonderful experience.  The comments from the group are so special - one of my favorites is "I never know I could draw!"

After two back-to-back 4-week courses at the Elder College I thought it would be fun to get the students together and share what they have been doing since their class.  

We had a wonderful time of sharing, oohing and awing the wonderful tiles and ZIAs that have been created by these new Zentangle artists.

I am looking forward to returning to the Elder College in the fall with another beginner course and something new - Zentangle Explorations!

Keep Tangling!
NancyD

Elder College Black Tiles

My students at the Elder College course this week worked with black tiles and white gel pens.  There were mixed reviews on the gel pens but they enjoyed working with the black tiles.  Here is there class picture:

I am continually amazed and pleased at the natural creativity and drawing abilities that people say they do not have.  I constantly here "I can't do that" or "I can't draw" and yet they end up producing wonderful works of art.  As Rick Roberts says, "Anything is possible one stroke at a time."

This week I designed the course to follow the Diva Challenge in hopes of introducing my students to the fun of entering the challenge and seeing all the work from other participants.  So, as Laura Harms said in her post for her weekly challenge #160 - spiral out and keep going.  Entering the challenge is very easy.  If you have a blog or post to Pinterest you can link directly, but if you do not, just email her the picture of your completed tile.

Have fun everyone and Tangle On!

NancyD

Elder College Classes x 2

My second Elder College course started last week with 17 students.  We got off to a great start learning the basics of the Zentangle method and the students couldn't help but remark that even though they all learned the same thing they each created something just a bit different.

I always start with Crescent Moon, Hollibaugh,Tipple and Bales

I have to say that I am really enjoying teaching at the Elder College.  It is a great setup for the more experienced folks in our community.  They can get out and learn new things in a safe environment that is very reasonably priced.

We only have 1 1/2 hours for each of the 4 sessions and the students keep telling me that they wish they had more time.  This week we learned the second half of the beginner Zentangle course.

This time we learned Cadent, Laced, Onamato, Zinger, Antidots, Poke Root and Poke Leaf

Next week we will start to explore the black tiles!

Happy Tangling!

NancyD

Hearts Abound - Diva Challenge #154

I have been playing around with hearts and Zentangle which happily coincides with the Diva Challenge this week - #154.  Most of mine are pretty simple - I am still learning!

First, I tried Sara McGregor's idea of using hearts for the anchor on Cadent but I did it with W2 instead....

Then I thought, well why not put Cadent inside the heart ......

But my favorite is the new Luv-A from Sharon Caforio ....

Then I tried a few heart balloons with intertwined ribbons inspired by Helen from A Little Lime....

Helen makes it look sooooo easy and I need lots more practice!

I also played with the paper heart template from Cherryl Moote found here.  I used it as an envelope for a little card.  I may have to play with more hearts before the week is over.

Happy Tangling!

NancyD

In the Beginning Class at NIC Elder College a Success

Wow, what a wonderful experience to teach my first Zentangle class.  In case your wondering, I am teaching a 4-part course at North Island College in the Elder College Department.  We are exploring all the beginning steps of learning Zentangle drawing.

My 23 students were wonderful and attentive.  One lady said to me afterward that her friend drug her to the course and she thought it was going to be about doodling.  She was pleasantly surprised and thanked me for giving her a special gift - Zentangle.

At the end of the class we all hovered around and marveled at how we all heard the same instruction but our tiles were all completely different.  This of course was something that I emphasized in the class - that we all have our own creative bent, background and perspective which influences our art.

The class was fantastic and I am looking forward to next Thursday when we will be exploring more Tangles. The current course is full but I think there are still a few spaces left in the March session starting March 13th.  Contact North Island College to register.

Have fun Tangling today!

NancyD