In 2008, Esther left the practice of law to live more creatively. When she was introduced to the Zentangle® method of pattern drawing, a non-representational, contemplative way of drawing complex patterns, her life changed. She’d been drawing patterns since she was a child, but it wasn’t until she experienced the Zentangle method that she felt like an artist. As a certified Zentangle teacher (CZT), she loves helping others discover the joy of drawing simple lines to create beautiful art ‘one stroke at a time.’ She has taught hundreds of students since becoming certified to teach in 2012 and quickly embraced teaching online in April 2020. She was honored to receive the American Association of University Women, Duluth Chapter’s Visual Artist of the Year award in 2016 and looks forward to connecting with new students around Minnesota as a COMPAS teaching artist.
Program Offerings
Equipment and resources needed for her offers depending on if it’s requested in person or virtual:
1) large groups: A screen and projector compatible with an IPEVO document camera and HP laptop
2) small groups: none, as I will demonstrate using a sketch pad and easel
3) online classes: individual laptop computers or tablets, wi-fi OR a large screened smart T.V. to connect to the Zoom platform
Workshop
Zentangle Pattern Drawing, an Introduction
In this introductory class, students will learn to draw simple, repetitive line patterns one line at a time using pen and ink and pencil shading. Each student will leave with a unique piece of art on a 3.5” square paper tile. No drawing experience is necessary. This workshop can be offered in person or virtually.
Duration: 1 session, 2 hours; Participant Type: Upper Elementary (4-6), Middle School (5-8), High School (9-12), Folks with Disabilities, Teens & Young Adults, Adults; Participant type customizations: larger pieces of paper can be used for those with visual impairment; thicker pens can be used for those with mobility or dexterity issues.
Zentangle Unfurled
In a traditional Zentangle class, students draw on a 3.5″ square paper tile with pen and ink and pencil shading, filling in spaces pattern by pattern until the tile composition is complete. In this Zentangle Unfurled class, students will be taught all of the patterns before moving to the paper tile and will be encouraged to explore each pattern in their own creative way. The end result is individual compositions that are created within a supportive exploratory framework. This twist on the traditional Zentangle pattern drawing method gives students freedom to vary tangles and play with composition in a way that encourages creative freedom.
Duration: 1 session, 2 hours; Participant Type: Middle School (5-8), High School (9-12), Teens & Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults – General, Intergenerational, Educators, Upper Elementary (4-6), Folks with Disabilities; Participant type customizations: larger pieces of paper can be used for those with visual impairment; thicker pens can be used for those with mobility or dexterity issues
Zentangle Explore
Students will creatively explore one Zentangle (R) pattern with pen and ink on small pieces of cardstock or water color paper really slowly. This class creates opportunity to formulate and follow “what if” questions that arise during the creative process: straight lines become curved lines, circles become squares, one line becomes two. Every aspect of the original pattern is available to be morphed and changed just to see what will happen. This slow, supported way of drawing allows students to feel safe while following their own creative impulses, appreciate the value of exploring freely, and provides a tool for redirecting the inner critic.
Duration: One 1-hour session; Participant Type: Upper Elementary (4-6), Middle School (5-8), High School (9-12), Teens & Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults – General, Intergenerational, Educators, Folks with Disabilities; Participant type customizations: larger pieces of paper can be used for those with visual impairment; thicker pens can be used for those with mobility or dexterity issues.
Residency
Zentangle Pattern Drawing Foundations
In this residency, Esther will teach progressive skill development using the Zentangle (R) method of pattern drawing. Students will explore drawing simple pattern compositions to create beautiful artwork on a 3.5″ square paper tile using pen and ink with pencil shading while learning the components of composition and exploring the Zentangle method’s “no mistakes” philosophy. Shading and Step-out exercises will be taught to engage learners in developing their own pattern drawing practice outside of class. This residency can be offered in person or virtually.
Duration: 5-10 sessions, 1-2 hours; Participant Type: Middle School (5-8), High School (9-12), Teens & Young Adults, Adults, Older, Adults – General, Intergenerational, Educators
Zentangle Meets Origami: A Layered Approach
Students will create and fold a simple, modular origami pattern to create a unique, ornamental hanging star with a hand drawn center on semi-opaque tracing paper layered on colored copy paper with decorative edging. Each layered 10 pointed origami star will be individualized based on the artistic preferences of the student who will have the choice of drawing five identical center squares or vary the design using color and/or pattern. Multiple Zentangle border patterns will be taught to create the customized decorative edging.
This class is customizable based on the amount of time allotted. Stars with pre-printed centers and patterned edges will take less time to create versus stars with custom drawn centers and edging.
Duration: 5 sessions/1 hour; Participant Type: Upper Elementary (4-6), Middle School (5-8), High School (9-12), Folks with Disabilities, Teens & Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults – General, Intergenerational, Educators
Zentangle Explore
Students will creatively explore one Zentangle (R) pattern with pen and ink on small pieces of cardstock or water color paper really slowly. This class creates opportunity to formulate and follow “what if” questions that arise during the creative process: straight lines become curved lines, circles become squares, one line becomes two. Every aspect of the original pattern is available to be morphed and changed just to see what will happen. This slow, supported way of drawing allows students to feel safe while following their own creative impulses, appreciate the value of exploring freely, and provides a tool for redirecting the inner critic.
This class can be offered as a week long residency where students work on a larger piece of paper and begin to meld and weave patterns as the class progresses.
Duration: 1-5 sessions, 45 – 1 hour per session; Participant Type: Upper Elementary (4-6), Middle School (5-8), High School (9-12), Teens & Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults – General, Intergenerational, Educators, Folks with Disabilities; Participant type customizations: larger pieces of paper can be used for those with visual impairment; thicker pens can be used for those with mobility or dexterity issues.
Courage Card Creation
We have the power to choose our thoughts and to change our thoughts. Harnessing courageous thoughts and practicing those thoughts leads to courageous action. In this class series, students will create their own empowering, courageous statements and turn them into a useful, colorful, uplifting cards they can use daily or whenever they need a little courage. Basic watercolor skills and Zentangle patterns will be taught to decorate the cards.
Duration: 5 sessions; Participant Type: Middle School (5-8), Upper Elementary (4-6), High School (9-12), Folks with Disabilities, Teens & Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults – General, Intergenerational, Educators; Participant type customizations: If students have difficulty using a scissors, the cutting can be done for them. Preprinted quotes and affirmations will be provided to cut and glue if handwriting is an issue.
Teaching Artist Statement
I approach each class as an opportunity to encourage students to see the work they create as a unique expression of themselves, with the understanding that everyone who makes art is an artist.
There are no “mistakes” in Zentangle ® and therefore no erasing. Drawing in a way that embraces every mark made on the page as valuable and an inspiration for creating something new allows me to problem-solve with a level of safety that, no matter what happens next, everything will be okay. Feeling uncomfortable on the page is a drawing practice as well as a life practice. I encourage students to use their practice on the page as a way to build confidence in their abilities to accept what is, find creative solutions, and value the simple act of creating.
I engage students’ curiosity by providing pattern variations, supporting their creative choices to draw things outside the demonstrated material, and encouraging them to consider unexpected lines that may seem like “mistakes” as an opportunity to learn from that exploration. I ask them to pay attention to their preferences for drawing small vs. big, organic vs. geometric lines, and finding unique ways to ground each pattern using creative black fill, especially when it is not a part of the original pattern. I view each student as my teacher because they are continuously showing me new ways to draw something I’ve drawn a hundred times before. Each time this happens, I am astounded that another possibility exists.
I use Zentangle’s accessibility as an art form to invite students to explore drawing simple lines and emphasize that even those marks that feel uninvited have something valuable to share.
“I love how encouraging you are. It gives me the confidence to go out of my comfort zone, always ending up with a drawing I like!”
Barb Kwam Duluth, MN
