Dandelion
by Pam Hooper
My mother introduced me to the art of Zentangle a few years ago. The basis of the art form is to use a small piece of drawing paper [generally 2×2 though I use 3.5×3.5] and ink pens to create patterns on paper. The concept is that drawing in this way is a form of meditation. By using pens rather than pencils, every line you create is perfect as it appears on the paper. There is no second guessing or erasing to try to create perfection. The piece is perfect as drawn.
I found that I wanted to add color to my Zentangles. I tried pens of varying colors. I tried watercolor pencils. I tried adding the color after creating the Zentangle itself; but in the end, I prefer to use watercolors on the paper first and then draw the patterns to blend with the coloration to heighten both.
The colors of this piece reminded me of a sunset across an open field. I knew I wanted to add a floral pattern so I began with the first large ‘dandelion.’ I added new flowers until the work felt complete to me.
Zentangle is a wonderful peaceful form of art that you can share or simply use to focus our ever busy minds. I encourage you to give it a try. There are many free online instructions, no formal training is required.
Pam Hooper has been admitted to the SJSU MLIS program for the Fall 2014 program. She is currently taking LIBR282 as a summer course.