Zenwiseart by ArtwiseLirio
What does Zentangle make me feel? I started doing Zentangle when I was very young, long before it was called Zentangle. Back then, the term art therapy didn’t really exist. I just knew that the constant noise of life would quiet down whenever I picked up my black pen. Back then, it was actually a fountain pen. Recently, someone asked me, “How do you silence your mind while doing Zentangle?” My answer is: who can’t? After a few hours of drawing lines, the mind relaxes into silence, like a record settling into its groove. I’ve found that people who struggle with meditation often find a similar state through line drawing. If you truly get into the habit of it, it’s about as close to meditation as you can get. Those who know me know I have music playing almost 24/7. Yet while creating these pieces, I’ve been known to completely drown out the sound of heavy metal. 🤘 There is something instinctual about allowing the hand and eye to take over. Through the years, I’ve explored many ways of creating and illustrating, but with this series I’ve chosen to return to the beginning and simply draw lines. Over time, it will evolve—that’s inevitable—but for now, I am content to remain in the groove and let it flow. I’ve also chosen to create seven designs from the same pattern. These patterns are taken from illustrations in the Polyfusion coloring book. By working in repetition, I challenge myself not to become monotonous. I’m training my eye to observe closely, to recognize when the designs begin to feel too similar, and to adjust course when needed. Sometimes growth comes not from doing something new, but from returning to where it all began. What helps you reconnect with your inner peace? Is there an activity that quiets the noise and helps you reset? I’d love to hear what works for you in the comments. @artwiselirio @zenwiseart #ZentangleForiPad