Hi, and welcome back to the Chrissie Murphy Designs Blog where I am always exploring.
Every year on July 15 Zentangle® celebrates the International Day of Zentangle®. And every year it reminds me just how extraordinary this creative community is. We all tangle together, and although we all begin with the same few strokes, we each create something beautifully unique. It fills me with amazement every single time.
This year’s celebration was especially memorable. Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas (the founder’s of Zentangle®) hosted a wonderful live online event that brought together thousands of tanglers from around the world. Seeing so many people pause to create together was such a beautiful reminder that art has a remarkable way of connecting us, no matter where we live.
International Day of Zentangle® Across the World
The live event began at 10:00 am EDT, which meant it started at midnight here in Australia. I had every intention of staying awake to tangle along live. However, by about 10:00 pm I was already struggling to keep my eyes open. Sometimes sleep wins!
Thankfully, the entire event was recorded, so the following morning I settled in with a decaf and watched the replay on YouTube instead. It was every bit as inspiring as I had hoped.
Rick and Maria introduced the tangle Polypoli, and I couldn’t wait to add my own little touches. I decided to place pearls through the centre of each petal and surround the outer edges with Diva Dance. I love how just a few personal choices can completely change the feel of a tile while still celebrating the same pattern.
International Day of Zentangle® Celebrates Creativity
One of my favourite parts of the celebration wasn’t just creating my own tile. It was seeing everyone else’s.
Social media quickly filled with hundreds of interpretations of the same design. Every single tile reflected the personality of the person who created it. That continues to amaze me.
We may all begin with the same pattern, yet no two tiles are ever the same. Every artist brings their own rhythm, choices and imagination to the page. I think there is something so beautiful about that.
What Zentangle® Means to Me
The International Day of Zentangle® also gave me the perfect opportunity to pause and look back over the Zentangle-inspired artwork I have created during the past year. Looking through those pieces reminded me just how much the Zentangle Method® has become part of who I am.
I first discovered the Zentangle Method® in 2013 while navigating some health challenges. At the time, I had no idea that a simple pen and a few deliberate strokes would become such an important part of my life. From that very first tangle, I was completely hooked.
Then, in 2022, I became a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT®). That was something I never imagined when I first picked up a pen all those years ago.
Even more exciting, later this year I will be hosting my very first in-person workshops at Flying Fish Point. It feels like another wonderful step in a journey that has already given me so much.
One Stroke at a Time
One of the beautiful philosophies of the Zentangle Method® is that we can all draw. We simply do it one stroke at a time. Over the years though, those words have taken on a much deeper meaning for me.
Like many people, I have experienced seasons that felt overwhelming. Workloads, responsibilities and unexpected challenges all seemed to arrive at once. During those times, I have often been reminded that life unfolds much like a tangle.
Not all at once.
Just one stroke.
One step.
One moment at a time.
That little reminder has helped me more times than I can count.
Creating Zentangle-inspired art has become a constant source of beauty in my days. It has introduced me to wonderful friends from around the world. Most importantly, it continues to remind me to slow down and simply enjoy the process.
Looking for Your Next Zentangle-Inspired Adventure?
If International Day of Zentangle® has inspired you to explore a little further, why not join us for the Magnified Fragments Challenge? Part 1, featuring the square fragments, can be found on my home page. It has been wonderful to see so many Australian and New Zealand tanglers discovering the project for the very first time.
If you decide to join in, don’t forget to share your artwork using #MagnifiedFragments. I’d love to see your creations, share them on my social media pages, and include them in the growing online gallery.
Until my next blog post,
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” Ephesians 4:1.
In peace always
The Scripture verse you ended with resonates with me.
Thank you for being part of my journey and sharing the gift of your friendship with me xx
Thanks so much Debbie. It’s a verse that resonates with me as well as I believe it overarches everything I do. I am so happy to be back tangling again and connecting with everyone. I have particularly loved reconnecting with you 😘🧡