First it was her car, now it’s a bench. Is there nothing Manitoba’s first certified Zentangle teacher (CZT) can’t decorate with pen and black ink?
Carol Graham’s unique approach to meditation and her artistic talents have been chosen to decorate a bench with a nature theme at St. Norbert Arts Centre, and it is truly a work of art. To view the creation as it evolves on Instagram, see @tangledinklings.
After a decade of zentangling, Graham is convinced that “anyone can do this. Those who are colourblind find the black on white most comforting.”
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Photo by Heather Emberley
Carol Graham works on a Zentangle design for a bench, which was commissioned by St. Norbert Arts Centre.
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Photo by Heather Emberley
Carol Graham works on a Zentangle design for a bench, which was commissioned by St. Norbert Arts Centre.
A retired hospital cardiology technician, Graham earned her CZT certificate from Zentangle founders, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, in Providence, R.I. Roberts is the ‘Zen’ and Thomas is the ‘tangle’ and together they have developed a meditative art now practised by thousands worldwide.
While one can zentangle on most any surface, the one Graham recommends is a cotton paper made in Italy, which Graham describes as “serious paper,” as it has the best ink absorption.
The white squares are called tiles and the backstory on them is that Roberts chose the size of 3.5-inch-by-three-inch size so that artwork in progress could fit the standard man’s shirt pocket. Zentanglers experience an instant bond when spotting someone in a park, airport, or bus taking a tile from a pocket, briefcase or purse to destress with pen in hand.
As a teacher Graham has demonstrated the spiritual and mental health benefits of zentangling (not to be confused with doodling) in wellness workshops at Forum Art, through the City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide, continuing education programs, to teachers, health-care providers, schoolchildren, seniors and those coping with stress and ADD, as well as at professional conferences. She also gives private lessons in her studio.
Zentangle has a vocabulary all its own. ‘Fibonacci’ refers to patterns that repeat. ‘Divine proportion’ is the placement of images that are pleasing to the eye. Whether tangling for enjoyment or for profit, the images one can produce are unique to each person. These concepts are timeless, as the Sistine Chapel and Pepsi logo are based in this mathematical ratio designed to appeal to the eye of the beholder. Graham has many such items reflecting this in her studio, from runners to pottery to wall hangings.
“Once I got the relaxation piece, I took training in teaching adults,” Graham said.
For those who thought they couldn’t draw, Graham has exposed them to what she terms, “the elegance of limits,” and even within the confines of black ink and white paper, the possibilities are endless. Equally fascinating for beginners is when Graham transforms a tile simply by shading.”
Using a graphite pencil, which Graham lovingly calls a “magic wand,” she outlines the edges of the tangles, and the finished product takes on an entirely new look.
Carol Graham ends her introductory class with an opportunity for participants to try a technique called “Found Poetry.” By selecting random words on a page, usually from a book headed for recycling, and blocking all the other words with black ink, a poem emerges.
To get in touch with your Zen and get tangling or to find your inner poet, Carol Graham can be reached at: [email protected]
Heather Emberley
Crescentwood community correspondent
Heather Emberley is a community correspondent for Crescentwood. Email her at [email protected] if you have a story suggestion.
