|
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 years and all of the ways that you have tangled with us!
| | |
Julie writes...
Sometime in 2004, I was home with my siblings and my cousin. We lived right next door to Rick and Maria at the time, and Maria called my mom to say she had something to show us kids. She and Rick showed up with a few pens and these little squares of paper, and they taught us the Zentangle Method. I do not remember a whole lot about their visit, and I did not know, at the time, where the idea would go (or that it would take me along with it). I can say now, though, that I am grateful for that day 22 years ago and that they decided to come over and tangle with us.
| | |
“Tangle with us.”
Three simple words, yet an invitation that has traveled across the world and back again.
What began as an idea shared by Rick and Maria became a passion carried forward by CZTs, tanglers, and a growing community of people creating magic by putting pen to paper. It became an invitation not only to create beautiful art, but to discover creativity, connection, perspective, and sometimes even transformation in ourselves and our communities.
In the earliest days of the Zentangle Method, Rick and Maria would teach anyone who was curious enough to listen. The method itself has not changed since those early days, but the how, where, when, and with whom we tangle has evolved beyond our wildest dreams.
Join us as we take a look back at all of the ways that you all have tangled with us over the years, and will for years to come!
| |
-
July 2004: Rick and Maria teach the first public Zentangle class at IAMPETH, the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting.
-
Sometime in 2004-2005: Rick and Maria release the first Original Zentangle Kit. Over the years, the kit has been redesigned and evolved to meet the needs of tanglers around the world. You can learn more about the evolution of the Zentangle Kit in this blog.
-
July 2008: Rick and Maria host the first Certified Zentangle Teacher training in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. Since then, over 8,600 CZTs from over 80 countries have completed the teacher training in the US, Germany, Asia or online!
-
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.
-
March 2016: We launched the Zentangle Mosaic App, the premier app for sharing Zentangle Art. This app was designed to bring together the Zentangle Community and explore, learn, and share Zentangle Art.
-
January 2017: Rick and Maria launch the Kitchen Table Tangles (KTT) series on the Zentangle Mosaic App. They invited tanglers to join them at their kitchen table for tangling and short conversations. The full library of KTTs is available on the app, and a select few are on our Youtube Channel. KTTs were ZTHQ's first venture into online tutorials and would plant the seed for a future endeavor...
| | -
November 2016: ZHQ hosts the first CZT Reunion event in Newport, Rhode Island, called zenAgain. This event, exclusively for CZTs, took place over the course of four days and was overflowing with joy, laughter, camaraderie, and of course... tangling! ZenAgain is held every other year and remains a CZT-only event. Save the Date for zenAgain 2027: October 24-27, 2027, in Mystic, Connecticut, USA, or join in the live stream online.
| |
-
October 2017: Inspired by the response to the Kitchen Table Tangles series, Rick, Maria, and the crew at ZHQ release the very first Zentangle Project Pack. Loved by both new and seasoned tanglers, Zentangle Project Packs are a curated collection of supplies that pair with a series of online tutorials. Each series has a theme that overlaps specific tangling techniques with philosophical musings. You can explore all 29 Zentangle Project Packs here and join us for Project Pack No. 30 next month!
| | -
October 2020: The year that challenged all of us to rethink how we did things, reconsider what was possible, and discover new ways forward when familiar paths were no longer available. When we were not able to gather in person, we had to embrace something entirely new, hosting CZT trainings online for the first time, and somehow we were able to feel the magic and energy of an in-person event through the internet. What began as an unexpected shift became an opportunity to invite even more people to tangle with us, making CZT training more accessible and allowing us to reach new communities and new corners of the world.
Since then, we have continued to evolve our CZT training, offering online and hybrid options, creating more ways for people to gather, learn, and connect through the Zentangle Method.
| |
-
May 2021: For the first time, we formally recognized Mental Health Awareness month with Zentangle Project Pack No. 14. Each year since then, we have invited tanglers to join us during the Month of May to tangle for their mental health. In 2023, we launched the first Bijou Be Well series, which has become the yearly project for this important month. Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month and Bijou Be Well in this newsletter.
-
January 2024: We launched the first official Zentangle Journal Project. Throughout the year, we shared tangling tutorials, ideas, and prompts to inspire tanglers to put pen to paper while reflecting on their own Zentangle practice. We have continued this project each year since. Learn more about the 2026 Zentangle Journal Project here.
-
July 2024: We hosted the inaugural International Day of Zentangle Celebration. Each year since then, Rick, Maria, and the Zentangle Crew gather to host a live stream event in honor of this special day and invite you to join in the excitement and energy of tangling simultaneously with thousands of tanglers worldwide. Learn more about the 2026 celebration here.
| | There are plenty of ways to tangle with us coming up soon. We hope you join us! | | Tangling with Molly and Martha | | Become a Certified Zentangle Teacher | | |
CZT 44 - October 25-28, 2026
Join us for CZT Training in Mystic, Connecticut, or online!
We recommend registering as early as possible, as we expect in-person spots to fill quickly.
| | |
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
| | | | | |
