Why take a class from a CZT? (Part two)

As I wrote in the first installment on this subject, taking a class from a CZT (TM) (Certified Zentangle Teacher) as opposed to learning from a book or YouTube videos has many benefits.

In addition to those I already mentioned, a CZT has the resources to broaden your knowledge of and enjoyment of Zentangle.

CZTs have access to the full range of Zentangle tangles. If you look at Linda Farmer's annual e-book, TanglePatterns, some spots are blank. (See TanglePatterns here: Tangle Patterns.) These are the tangles that only CZTs have access to and which they can teach you in a class.

Another benefit is techniques. When I took the CZT seminar, I learned so much about how to be more successful in drawing the tangles, and tangles that seemed very difficult to me became just challenging and, ultimately, after some practice, somewhat easy.

So a  CZT can broaden your knowledge of the official Zentangle patterns and teach you some techniques to make those that seem hard, more doable.

Why take a class from a CZT? (Part one)

With the wealth of information on the internet these days including YouTube videos, books you can download to your electronic device, DVDs, and printed books available in just a few days, why take a Zentangle(R) class from a CZT(TM) (Certified Zentangle Teacher)?

Have you ever tried learning yoga or a musical instrument from a book or DVD? I have. I tried learning the bass guitar from a book/CD combination. The only thing I got from that combination was frustration! When I finally found a teacher and took regular lessons, I really felt that I was learning the instrument instead of just fumbling around with it.

Yes, there are many good Zentangle books out there, and that's how I started out with Zentangle because there were no local CZTs to take a class from. But I know from the big class I took (the Zentangle teacher training seminar), that there's nothing like a class with a live teacher there to answer questions and encourage you and set you on the right path with Zentangle.

And you'll find that when you take at least a basic class that you have a great foundation of skills to continue doing Zentangle on your own, or enough excitement and interest to take more classes. 

Zentangle classes in Asheville

I'll be teaching a Zentangle(R) 1 class at The Urban Art Retreat and Studio in the historic Montford area of Asheville, NC on Saturday, April 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. Class size is limited to 8 adults and the fee is $36 which includes official Zentangle materials.

To register, go to The Urban Art Retreat and Studio.

Here's an example of a tile (the name for the piece of special paper we use for Zentangle) one might create in this class.

TangleArden is launched

TangleArden is now an official business in the Western North Carolina area, specifically around Asheville. I was certified as a Zentangle(R) teacher in November 2013 and am now excited to be offering Zentangle instruction at local art studios and also as home classes.

For more about Zentangle, go to Zentangle.