Zentangle 101
On Saturday, April 20, PATA hosted a workshop led by Chelsea Kennedy, MA ATR-BC, a certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT). More than 30 art therapists and art therapy students came eager to learn and practice the Zentangle method. The following are some questions and answers that were addressed during the workshop:
What is Zentangle?
Zentangle is the marriage of “zen” (meditative relaxation) and “tangle” (beautifully drawn patterned artwork). Zentangle is a drawing method in which the person drawing maintains a high level of focus and concentration while he/she draws repetitive marks according to specific structured patterns. Through practicing Zentangle, the person drawing enters a state of flow and relaxation. Zentangle promotes mindfulness, as there is no judgment and one’s attention is focused on their marks at the moment and not on the end-product.
What materials are involved?
Participants received personal canvas Zentangle bags with the following materials: special fine-quality paper produced in Italy, an eraser-free Zentangle pencil, and a micron archival pigment ink .25mm line pen.
How is it different from doodling?
According to Chelsea, doodling is something you may naturally do without paying much attention and while simultaneously doing other things. Drawing according to the Zentangle method, however, involves creating marks according to structured patterns and requires a high level of focus and concentration.
How many patterns are there?
There are approximately 116 official Zentangle patterns, and zentanglers are always welcome to create their own designs. At the workshop we learned how to create five designs: hollibaugh, printemps, bales, rick’s paradox, and crescent moon.
What are the applications to art therapy practice?
There are several metaphors that can be made between the art of Zentangle and that of life which can be brought into art therapy practice. For example, the pencils have no erasers, like there are no erasers in life. Chelsea articulated the parallel by explaining how we do things deliberately, and we make the best with what we have. Workshop participants discussed how the Zentangle approach would work well with a variety of populations, from children with ADHD and autism to adult mental health patients.
Want to further look into the art of Zentangle?
Check out www.zentangle.com, The Book of Zentangle, and experience zentangle with the Zentangle Kit.
Thank you Chelsea for sharing your knowledge and experience with Zentangle with us! Even though students are especially busy right now with the end of the semester approaching, many made it out to the workshop, excited to engage in the meditative art of Zentangle!
Blog post by Jackie Biggs
April Board Meeting!
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our recent board meeting on April 20th! We had a great turn out and lots of wonderful ideas were generated for workshops and other events that PATA could host this year.
We also want to give a special shout out to the students! We know that you are all busy with finals as the semester comes to a close and are really glad that you made time to join us on Saturday!
If you missed this board meeting, but would like to attend the next one it will be held in Silver Spring, Maryland on May 18th from 10am-12pm. An Evite and email invitation will be coming out shortly. Stay tuned for more info!
If you do not currently receive our email notifications, but would like to please contact Crista at zateshno@gmail.com.
Tell us what you are up to!
PATA would like our blog to reflect the incredible community of art therapists and other mental health professionals in our region.
We welcome you to email us your recent accomplishments, artwork, information about a new job or private practice, art therapy related announcements- anything that you would like to share with your fellow art therapists! With you help PATA looks forward to building a supportive online community.
If you would like to be featured on the blog, please send your submissions to kathrynmart@gmail.com.
April Board Meeting & Zentangle Workshop
Please join us for our April Board Meeting and Zentangle Workshop coming up this Saturday! We welcome all- PATA members and non- members, art therapist and non-art therapist and anyone else who is curious about our organization and wants to meet other mental health professionals in the community.
When? Saturday, April 20th. Board meeting will be from 10am-11am. Workshop and Q& A session from 11am-1:30pm
Where? The George Washington University Graduate Art Therapy Program, which is located at 413 John Carlyle St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
Workshop participants will earn 2.5 CEC’s. Free for PATA members, $10 for non-members. *$5 fee for materials for all participants
Board Meeting Agenda:
1. Board member reports
2. Putting together binder and roles for transitions in the future
3. Starting to get new board members involved for new term
4. NBCC renewal – meeting today to complete
5. Communication – website update
6. Upcoming events
7. Completing Symposium review and guide – to do for summer
8. GAC work. Hill Day
Following the board meeting we are excited to have Chelsea Kennedy, MA, ATR-BC, a certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) lead us in a Zentangle workshop.
Zentangle is a marriage of “zen” (meditative relaxation) and “tangle” (beautifully drawn patterned artwork). It is a drawing technique in which structured patterns are created using simple repetitive marks. The Zentangle method allows one to discover new possibilities along the way by trusting one’s instincts without an end result in mind. The act of putting pen to paper with an unknown outcome deliberately focuses one’s attention on the moment, leading to a practice of mindfulness. The process of Zentangle is relaxing and creates flow. The end result is artistic satisfaction, even for people who do not have confidence in their artistic abilities. Once the basic steps have been learned, the opportunities for creative potential and well-being are endless!
Workshop Objectives:
1- Attendees will learn five Zentangle patterns using the Zentangle method.
2- Attendees will be able to list three benefits of practicing Zentangle.
3- Attendees will be able to list three ways in which Zentangle can be applied to art therapy to benefit clients
The Potomac Art Therapy Association (PATA) is an approved NBCC provider (#6500) and co-sponsor of this event along with and the George Washington University Graduate Art Therapy Program. PATA may award NBCC approved clock hours for events or programs that meet NBCC requirements. PATA maintain responsibility for the content of this event.
Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) Workshop
Please join us for the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) Workshop! Learn the history, administration, and rating of the DDS, as well as research-based assessment skills.
Presented by Barry M Cohen, ATR-BC and Anne Mills, ATR-BC, LPC
The workshop is great for art therapist, social workers, psychologists, counselors, marriage & family therapist, and all other mental health professionals.
When? Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28 from 9:30-5:00pm.
Where?Holiday Inn Express. Columbia East, 6064 Marshalee Drive, Elkridge, MD.
Registration: Regular registration (March 15th thru April 27th) is $330 for MATA members, $360 for non-members, pending available space. Learning materials and continental breakfast will be provided. Lunch on your own.
Participants earn 12 CEC credits. CEC’s are included with the registration fee.
Objectives:
1- Participants will be able to identify 5 benefits of using this valid and reliable art interview.
2- Participants will be able to describe 3 opportunities for using The DDS in clinical practice.
3- Participants will be able to report results from at least 3 normative DDS studies or psychiatric diagnostic groups.
Questions? Contact bechtelarttherapy@gmail.com or call 202-455-5894
For further information on the Diagnostic Drawing Series, including a comprehensive bibliography of references and resources, visit www.diagnosticdrawingseries.com or www.diagnosticdrawingseries.info
This event is co-sponsored by the Potomac Art Therapy Association (NBCC provider #6500) and the Maryland Art Therapy Association. Potomac Art Therapy Association may award NBCC approved clock hours for events or programs that meet NBCC requirements. The Maryland Art Therapy Association and the Potomac Art Therapy Association maintain responsibility for the content of this event. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Happy
At our March board meeting we enjoyed a screening of the movie Happy.
Happy is a 2011 feature documentary film directed, written, and co-produced by Academy Award nominated film-maker Roko Belic. The film explores human happiness through interviews with people in 14 different countries and includes some of the newest findings in the field of positive psychology.
For those of you who were not able to join us, but are interested in viewing the film or getting more information about the Happy Movement click here or use the following to to visit the film’s website (http://www.thehappymovie.com/). Check it out and spread the word!
March Board Meeting and Movie Screening
PATA approved by NBCC to provide CEUs for workshops
