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However, when one is given some structure or guidelines to work with, creativity blossoms and artistic momentum is born. When an artist has restrictions or obstacles to get past, it is in those decisions where ideas and inspiration live. Art, when subjected to limitations, thrives.
When Rick and Maria developed the Zentangle Method, they thought about this theory and wanted to integrate it into the method. The act of putting down four dots and a border and then creating a string are part of the ceremony that gives limitations to work with. A string is loosely drawn in pencil and can be as simple or intricate as you want. It provides guidance and offers a suggestion but also does not demand anything particular. It invites interpretation and creative thought processing. With each stroke you add to the string, more decisions and opportunities are born.
In this particular series we came up with a simple suggestion of guidelines and we invited folks to use them or not. Whether you have been following along closely or taking things in your own direction, the guidelines give you a starting point and a rhythm to follow.
Whether you followed our suggestion or went in your own direction, it has been a delight to see what you all have created and shared with us. I think many of us can agree that there is an elegance to limits and in the case of the Zentangle Method, the string certainly is ... the thing.
Be well, be you,
Bijou
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