Learning the Zen of Paper and Pen

Zentangle is not what you’re thinking (a bunch of Bow Valley yoga instructors playing “Twister,”right?). Nice try, though.

Zentangle is a relatively new art form that is considered by its practitioners to be an “artistic meditation.” Using simple dots, lines, patterns and a little imagination, even self-declared “left-brainers” can create beautiful drawings like the one below. It’s easy to learn, highly addictive, and artistically rewarding.

From zentangle.com

The typical “Zentangle” is created on a 3″x 3″ square paper, using a fine black pen. This is the TRUE method, but I like to think that you can apply the concepts of flowing pattern and meditation to pretty much anything once you get going. Case in point; collected rocks, picture frames, old computer monitors… no smooth-surfaced object is safe at my house anymore (see below).

I recently attended a class taught by Val Kildaw and Kathleen Henderson, a couple of Canmore based Zentangle instructors (the only ones of their kind in Alberta). Val and Kathleen have received their instructing certification from Zentangle masters, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, in Boston, MA. Keen to share their new found passion with the people of the Bow Valley, they are now offering custom private and group classes. To schedule a class or to find out more, you can peruse their website.

If you are convinced you don’t have an artistic bone in your body, the process of Zentangle will prove you wrong. The beauty of it is that absolutely anyone can create beautiful and unique art pieces with minimal effort and maximum reward.

Photo + rock art by Kristy Davison.

Kristy Davison

Kristy is the Publisher and Photo Editor at Highline Magazine.

Born in Canmore, she grew up with the Bow River running through the backyard. Kristy studied Photographic Arts at the Alberta College of Art and Design and worked as a freelance photographer before founding Highline Magazine in 2008. Souped-up on coffee and creative juices, she frequently spends time basking in the glory of the local arts and culture scene. Bluebird days are spent out in the hills, frolicking in the proverbial mist.