About CZT seminar #15

How do I even begin describing the amazing time I had at the Certified Zentangle Teacher training that I went to at the end of June?

I guess, just like how I'd start a tile -- by putting down a foundation in light pencil, then filling it in a stroke at a time.

Metaphors aside (though I do love metaphors), on June 22, my hubby dropped me off at the Hotel Providence in the beautiful art district of Providence, RI. I was automatically enthralled by the welcoming hand-tangled banner that hung outside the front door to the hotel, and the welcome sign in the lobby.

I was greeted by Molly Hollibaugh, Sue and others, given my goody bag of fun supplies, and checked into my single room on the 7th floor that I'd call home for the next 3 days. THIS view was the stairs down to the lobby from the 6th floor. (Tangle this!)

The first act of "Zentangle magic" (as I like to call the serendipitous occurrences brought on by Zentangle) was the group of women I met at dinner on the first night. We all hit it off as if we'd known each other for years. 

After dinner I met a woman who I'd been talking with via Facebook for the last few months, but had never met in person. She came in from the UK for the workshop. It was so exciting to finally meet her, and we too felt like we'd been long lost sisters from some other lifetime! 

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we spent in class -- listening, tangling, sharing. At the beginning of each part of the day, we'd get some new supplies to try: black tiles, Micron pens, white charcoal pencils, etc. There was always an abundance, which I feel is an essential to Zentangle. A lack of ABUNDANCE is a killer to the creative soul.

A "collage" of class tangles on tan tiles

As we learned the Zentangle method from the founders, Rick and Maria, and their family, we also were given the tools we needed to go and teach: lesson plans, workshop tips, resources. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was so struck (and relieved) at how genuine and humble Rick and Maria are. I felt welcomed and supported. Their excitement for this art/healing form is palpable.

Me with Maria and Rick!

I also thought it was so cool that Laura Harms, THE "Zentangle Diva," whose challenges I've been doing for months and months, was the special guest of the seminar -- and on Monday I found myself sitting right next to her! She gave a talk on Tuesday night, telling us what brought her to Zentangle and how it helped her with a lot that she was dealing with after the birth of both of her children. There was not a dry eye in the house! She made us laugh and touched our hearts.

We also had some fun times sitting outside at night on the hotel's patio with wine and new friends, and also walking around the nifty little shops during lunch breaks.

That's when I saw this phrase etched on the glass of a building nearby:

To better one life is to better the world. -Alan Shawn Feinstein

I thought that was particularly applicable to this week's intention. The ripple effect that practicing -- and teaching -- Zentangle can have is noticeable. Zentangle is a practice that, if you're drawn to it (no pun intended), can have many different effects on your life.

For me, it helped give me confidence in myself as an artist. I've noticed a huge difference in how I handle myself since I've been more regularly practicing Zentangle, in combination with some other equally important methods of healing and self-inquiry. Just in the last couple months -- and especially in the last week or two -- I notice that I'm more easily forming my words in writing and in speaking. Anxiety would usually choke my words right down into my throat. Words come freer lately. I feel like I've really been in my BEING! 

I'm sensing a union of the work I've been doing with the Mariner Center, the call to step more into my gift of communicating with the unseen, the healing power of music, and energy healing with Zentangle is going to become clearer to me the more I practice it all.

I'm not even concerned that this isn't my official full-time job. :) Time will allow what it will allow. 

I'm not a fan of making hard choices -- but you know, I just have to trust that I'll make the best choices when they're presented to me.

Next steps: I'm looking into doing classes -- probably not too many, but a few. I have lots of people interested among just my friends. 

It was MAGICAL week!

Some of my tiles from the workshop

Happy Independence Day, America!