What is the most common thing we would do when attending a dull lecture or stuck at some place without a phone but with just a pen and paper in hand? Scribble, right!
Scribbling diverts us from boredom and calms our nerves. But imagine, if this scribbling had an art attached to it. Well, that's 'Zentangle'.
It is described as “an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun-filled way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.”
It all started when a monk, Rick Roberts, heard the experience of a calligraphy artist Maria Thomas. The world around her went timeless, it liberated her and gave her an unusual freedom. Established to create a similar experience was a guided pattern created by this duo, what we now know as "Zentangles".
"It is more like practising yoga with pen and paper. It takes you to that level of meditation where you can see nothing around you but and your artwork", say experts.
“I was working in an IT Firm in Australia. It was in 2010 that Zentangles was gaining great momentum. Across the World, the art form was being promoted as meditation. Well, art was in me but all i needed was the mediation part in it. So, that's when I decided to pursue a crash course in America for Zentangles,” shares Ms. Vasudha Sridhar, a qualified Zentangle Teacher in the City.
Vasudha learnt and practised Zentangles in Australia. In 2015, she shifted her base to India and started her training centre for Zentangle, here. Back then , she was among the only two Zentangles artists in India, with many now. She conducts classes in various parts in the country. Her Zentangle classes are more of a workshop that aims to equip the participants with self practising methods so that they need not attend classes for a very long time.
"I do conduct classes in many places but Coimbatore is close to my heart", glints Ms. Vasudha.
"Vasudha showed me a varied collection of Zentangle art which was simply stunning. She further stunned me that even I could try to create this intricate art form despite me being bad at drawing. But the simple techniques she taught, brought the best out of me. And, it was that day I realized nothing is impossible. I was liberated with the power to create something out of my own, an illustration of my imagination. I would really like to thank Vasudha for being extremely patient and explaining the minute things in the best way possible. Zentangle helps me relax and I wish to take it to the next level,” expressed Ms. Kessica Jayapalan, one of the first students of Ms.Vasudha.
Do you seek to relax your mind or for that matter a quest for learning a new art form is your look-out? Then don’t miss out on the upcoming Zentangle workshop on Oct 29, conducted by Ms Vasudha Sridhar at the Musings, Race Course.
Zentangle Beginners Workshop - Click here to more our Event