JANUARY 29, 2019 was especially marked in my calendar. I was to achieve one of the dreams I have written in my book, “Daily Doodles and Devotions,” almost three years ago – to teach Zentangle to children.
Thanks to my newfound friend, Myrna Villalon Wynstead, this came to pass.
Myrna is a member of the Soroptimist International Cordillera. She’s a passionate leader, teacher, reader, and the International Director of their club’s signature program, the Avid Readers Club Incentive Program.
Myrna invited me to join her in one of her club’s monthly visits to nine public elementary schools where there is an Avid Readers Club incentive program. January 29, 2019 was her and colleague Normas’ visit to the Dona Nicasia Puyat Elementary School in Aurora Hill.
With the principal’s approval, she allotted 30 of their usual 90 minutes session for me to introduce the Zentangle method to the 20 (5th and 6th graders) Avid Readers from their school. I hope to write more about Myrna (I am a fan!) and this amazing program of theirs, another time. For now, the main focus of this article is on “Zentangle.”
Zentangle is a fun, relaxing, and easy to learn way of creating beautiful images, by using structured patterns. It is so easy to learn that even first and second graders or grannies in their 80’s or 90’s can learn to do it.
When I was little, I always loved doodling. I mindlessly doodled stars and hearts and all sorts of shapes, even while the teacher was lecturing. Of course this time, I discouraged the children from doing this. The point I was making was the difference between the mindless doodling of my youth and the mindfulness in doing doodle art, through the Zentangle method.
I wanted to share with the children my love for Zentangle because this meditative art form gives me so much joy and peace. It relaxes me and improves my focus. Doing Zentangle art has developed new skills in me that I never thought I had. “Even old dogs can learn new tricks.”
Zentangle inspires in me new ideas and increases my confidence and creativity. To me, Zentangle has been another form of prayer, a visual offering to God. At the end of the day, all I really want is for those children to feel the same way I feel when I do Zentangle.
I wish I could confidently say that the 18 children who got to attend the day’s activities found my presentation fun and relaxing. Both Myrna and I felt that 30 minutes was just not enough time. Still, I was so happy to see ten of the 18 children finish their mini abstract masterpieces after the short time they had, learning how to do Zentangle art.
God willing, if there is another next time around, each one of them will happily go home with a beautifully finished Zentangle art. Hopefully, even just one of them will fall in love with Zentangle the way I have.
Dear SunStar Reader,
Are you an avid reader? Are you a doodle lover? I invite you to consider reading more and mindfully doodling more. Somehow, I feel certain that doing either one will grow you more. Doing both, will definitely be better.
If interested to know more about Zentangle, please search online and visit Zentangle.com or tanglelist.com. I am passionate about Zentangle. If you wish to learn more about it first hand, you may also contact me.
My email is delrosario_angelica@yahoo.com.
My cp is 09175418313.
Happy reading and doodling!
“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14