"Zentilly Lace and More" is a place where you can come to not only learn, but to relax.  Here, you will discover the art of drawing Zentangle®, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA), Lace, and Scrollwork with me, Theresa Montoya Marshall, CZT37. As a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), I will incorporate the meditative art form of Zentangle with the delicate beauty of lace drawing and scrollwork.   You will find it all to be incredibly simple and engaging, while at the same time providing you with the ability to produce unimaginably beautiful results. I guarantee you will be amazed at what you can accomplish!


YOU MAY BE ASKING...

WHAT IS ZENTANGLE?
The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create
beautiful images by drawing structured patterns called "tangles".  It was
created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. "Zentangle" is a registered
trademark of Zentangle, Inc.  You can learn more by visiting the Zentangle
website, https://www.zentangle.com.  Even though the name, Zentangle,
has “zen” in it, there is no association with Zen Buddhism, or any religion,
for that matter. We simply teach how to create beautiful art.
 
You know, many people say to me, "I can't even draw a straight line." Well,
guess what?  I'm happy to say you don't have to! If you can write the simple
letters "i", "c", "s", "o", a period, and a comma in varying sizes, then you are well on your way to discovering the gratification, peace, and creativity that comes with drawing using the Zentangle Method and what we call "Tangling".  Zentangle is drawn on thick pieces of paper or cardstock, called "Tiles" in many sizes and shapes of squares, rounds, triangles, and rectangles in white, black or tan.


                                                                                         WHAT IS ZENTANGLE INSPIRED ART OR ZIA?
                                                                                         The term ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) was organically started to                                                                                                   describe artworks that are not drawn on a traditional Zentangle tile                                                                                             but still use the Zentangle Method in the creation of them. For i                                                                                                   nstance, a pair of shoes that are tangled, a large canvas covered                                                                                                  with Zentangle art, a ceramic dish with a tangled border, a butterfly                                                                                             filled with tangles, a fox, a turtle, etc.

                                                                                         ZIA is often representational while traditional Zentangle art is                                                                                                       almost always non-representational. It was sometimes said that if it                                                                                                had color then it was a ZIA, but in recent years color has become                                                                                                  another layer to the complexity that the Zentangle method has to                                                                                                offer.


WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH ZENTANGLE?
There are many resulting benefits associated with tangling that have come to light over the years since its inception.  People who tangle find that they enjoy the feeling of satisfaction when they look at something they've created in just a few minutes. They also enjoy the fact that despite their initial personal misgivings about not feeling they are able to draw, they actually did produce something beautiful and amazing.  Zentangle has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety.  It has been introduced at veteran centers to help those suffering from PTSD.  Research has found that it assists people in finding inner peace, focus, and balance.  Several studies have been underway to determine how Zentangle can aid in mental health, a study at UMass MIND of the University of Massachusetts Medical School is one of them.  Speaking from my own point of view, Zentangle has had a profound effect on my well-being.  I've discovered that I am far less anxious, much more at peace, and more in tune with the world around me.  The immense feeling of accomplishment that comes with each completed piece in just a few minutes is enough to keep me coming back for more.  


A LITTLE ABOUT ME
My journey into the world of Zentangle began in 2020 during the onset of Covid and the
resulting lockdown.  I was encouraged by a dear friend to join an online group she had
organized and take a class.  Needless to say, I was in the game --- hook, line, and sinker ---
from the first pen stroke.  I found myself tangling (that's what we call it) at any and every
opportunity available. I became completely enamored with the entire process. Being that
I absolutely loved teaching painting classes, I quickly determined I just had to get my CZT
(Certified Zentangle Teacher) certification so that I could teach Zentangle, which I did in 2021.
 
As my tangling journey continued, I realized that the lace I had previously been painting with acrylics and brushes could be converted to pen. It was then that my lacework became ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) lacework, which has now become my forte’.  Additionally, since becoming a CZT, I’ve set up my own Facebook page, Zentilly Lace and More, and have been teaching online ever since.

The Zentangle community is one that I wouldn’t trade for the world!  So many friendships have formed with people from all over.  What amazes me is that even though we may have never met in person, we all love, support, encourage, and enjoy each other so much.  It is a truly priceless gift and I sincerely invite you to join us and have some fun!

I invite you to join me by checking this website and my Facebook Page often so you will be informed of upcoming classes, discoveries, techniques, and insights. Sharing this wide world yet to be explored in its totality with you would be a joy!