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Greetings!
The Zentangle Method has been an exciting and fulfilling journey, unfolding one stroke at a time. Like creating a tile, each moment has evolved naturally, guided by presence, intention, and an open heart.
Along the way, we’ve gathered countless meaningful memories, many of which we love to revisit. This year, we’re stepping into the Zentangle Time Machine to reflect on some of our favorite moments. Join us as we remember, rediscover, and perhaps even experience for the first time remarkable tangles, techniques, events, and more from years past.
| | Join us on the Zentangle Time Machine this month as we travel back through the Zentangle history to see how lettering has impacted our art through the years. | | |
Maria writes...
My lifelong love of letters began around the age of five or six. I absolutely knew I was to become a commercial artist... I even had a green velveteen beret I would wear to prove it. I began selling my art soon after (albeit very reasonably!), and the rest is history!
Before Zentangle appeared and changed my life, I was a professional calligrapher. I spent my days studying graceful forms, flowing lines, and the rich history of hand-lettering. Little did I know all of that would lay the foundation for what would become the Zentangle Method.
Letters were instrumental in the origin and creation of the Zentangle Method. It was a large "illuminated letter" that I was decorating when Rick and I discovered the Zentangle Method. I was carefully adding small patterns around a large gilded letter and entered a state of deep focus. Rick observed this experience and recognized similarities to mediation.
Why us? Monk and Scribe. There might not be that many couples like us: the Perfect Storm for what was necessary in this story. It was Rick's knowledge of meditation and essence of mission, and my work as a lettering artist.
Letters and lettering show up in every corner of the Zentangle world. When we (try to) describe the Zentangle Method, we say that if you can write your name, you can create Zentangle art. The elemental strokes are depicted as "iCSO," and, over the years, these letters have inspired some of our favorite tangles and projects, each one a love letter memorializing that day in my studio.
Let's take a look back at the history of letters and the Zentangle Method.
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July 2004: Rick and Maria teach the first public Zentangle class at IAMPETH, the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting.
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August 2010: Rick and Maria hosted a gathering of passionate tanglers in Newport, Rhode Island. Over the course of a few days, attendees created tangled Illuminated Letters, honoring the origins of the Zentangle Method.
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May 2016: The tangle ellish is released. This curvy and "betweedy" tangle is layered and interwoven around the cursive letter "L."
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December 2018: Maria formally shares a concept she had been working on called Embedded Letters.
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August 2021: Zentangle Project Pack No. 15 focused on alphaborders. This project pack drew inspiration from the art of lettering and alphabets and how their forms can influence patterns.
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March 2024: Inspired by the illuminated letters created at the 2010 event, Zentangle Project Pack No. 23 guides us through creating our own. This project pack was part of Zentangle's 20th Anniversary celebration.
...and many more small bits of lettering love sprinkled in here and there over the years.
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Mini Illuminated Letter Bundle
Using the Mini Illuminated Letter Bundle, we invite you to create your own miniature masterpiece inspired by the illuminated letters that helped spark the creation of the Zentangle Method. This smaller format offers all the joy, creativity, and mindful focus of the larger projects, while providing a delightful experience that can be completed in a shorter sitting.
| | Zentange Journal Project: June | | | | |
Maria writes:
"For me, it has always been an easy thing to "fancy up" a letter. It was part of my being, my soul, to play with letters as others played with toys. My head would always turn at the sight of an especially beautiful R or M, never mind the curvy S's or D's. I noticed other's penmanship and signatures, marveled at the very sight of a beautiful pen. It was no big surprise that I just had to bring letters into the Zentangle world."
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First released in 2018, Embedded Letters is a process created by Maria to playfully adorn any letter or character with tangles and tendrils. This simple, step-by-step process was easy to learn and hard to stop once you got going!
After this technique was introduced at a CZT Training, an attendee stood admiring the mosaic and shared how proud of herself she was. She had always wanted to create beautiful letters like this, but never thought that she could. It was reminiscent of something that Rick and Maria often say - after you discover that you can create beautiful art with the Zentangle Method, what else can you do that you once thought you could not?
In your journal this month, create an embedded letter (watch this tutorial!) and write down a few things that you "knew" you could not do but have tried anyway and succeeded! Or, perhaps, something you have not yet tried by will. Revisit this page at the end of the year to either add to or cross things off of your list.
Learn more about the Zentangle Journal Project.
| | Become a Certified Zentangle Teacher | | |
CZT 44 - October 25-28, 2026
Join us for CZT Training in Mystic, Connecticut, or online!
Register by July 1, 2026 for Early Bird Pricing!
We recommend registering as early as possible, as we expect in-person spots to fill quickly.
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Save the Date! CZT 45 (online only): July 16-18, 2027.
Our next in person seminar will be held in spring 2028.
For more details about our CZT Training program, please visit our website.
| | | | One thing we love about Lady Aura is that she loves to repeat herself. In 2026, Lady Aura will be sharing blogs, newsletters, and products that you may have missed. Be sure to check them out! | | |
With Gratitude and Appreciation,
Rick, Maria, Martha, Molly, and everyone at Zentangle HQ
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