Diva Challenge 48

“It’s a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself.  Makes you wonder what else you can do that you’ve forgotten about.”  ~Alan Ball, American Beauty, 1999

Today I taught a beginning Zentangle class followed by an advanced class.  I always like to start out by asking if I have any artists in the group.  No hands this morning.  “How many of you can’t draw a straight line?”  Thirteen hands this time.  “That’s good.  You don’t need to draw a straight line.”  I got some smiles and we were on our way. As we worked through the first tile, there were a few groans here and there followed by reminders from me that there are no mistakes in Zentangle.  After the first tile was finished, I had everyone put their tiles together in the class mosaic.  And the magic of every class was there once again.  Total silence as they study what they have done.  Stunned at the end result.  Finally, I remind them that they told me they weren’t artists when we started.  “What else do you THINK you can’t do?”

I love teaching Zentangle and this is my favorite part of every class.  That moment when my students surprise themselves with what they’ve done – and realize the possibilities.

Class Mosaic #1

Class Mosaic #2

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