Aug. 22, 2025 - Zentangle

A number of years ago I was introduced to an art form which combines the use of repetitious patterns and relaxation to create a Zen state. For me, it's a way to escape the tension and frustration of daily challenges through art. The concept was created by a former monk, Rick Roberts, when he noticed his wife, Marie Thomas, a calligrapher, entered a meditative zen like state when she focused on repetitive patterns. Together, they came up with this unique art form which brings me so much pleasure. You can practice on individual tiles like in the picture below.

Zentangle patterns on individual tiles

I also enjoy creating what they call a ZIA (Zentangle inspired art) where you take a variety of patters and weave them into pictures, like below.

ZIA using a variety of tangle patterns

ZIA using only 2 patterns

One winter, when my late husband and I lived out on the ocean on Prince Edward Island, I used ZIAs to create a therapeutic colouring book for people suffering from chronic pain. The adult colouring book contains 21 images of various complexities so, when a person is struggling with chronic pain, they can distract their mind from the physical discomfort of the pain by entering a meditative like state through colouring the ZIAs. My colouring book is available here: https://www.blurb.ca/b/7131569-artistic-expressions

Below are pictures of the cover and one of the colouring pages called ONCE UPON A TIME. My name and the date are imbedded in each picture in the colouring book. See if you can find it!

My adult colouring book

Can you find my initials and the year it was created?

It is my intention to use Zentangles and ZIAs in my children's picture book. If you look at Phildor the Dragon Bear, you'll see tangles in his neck shield. You don't need to be artistic to take up Tangling. Anyone can do it! There are lots of Facebook pages, YouTube videos, and books on the topic if you think this might be something you would enjoy. I hope it will bring you as much pleasure as it does me.

Best wishes always....

P.S. Welcome to my blog! My intention is to keep followers up to date on my latest writing adventures. My current focus is on fiction genres including children's picture books and YA/NA historical romanticies. I'm also preparing to write an epic fantasy for the young adult audience. As a debut author I face all the challenges of breaking into the traditional publishing market. I need your interest and support to do so! Please consider following me here and on other social media platforms, which you can access on the Home page of my author's web site. I'll be adding more in the weeks to come so please check back from time to time. Thank you so much, in advance, for following my blog. You are potentially helping me enrich the lives of future readers. I just need this break to attract my first agent representation! Your efforts will make all the difference! Thank you once again.