My Zentangle journey
Nancy Domnauer, CERTIFIED ZENTANGLE TEACHER
Discovering Zentangle has been an amazing experience for me.
In July 2013 I took an introduction class and was immediately hooked!
Between the simplicity of the art form, its philosophy and the relaxation that I experienced, I knew I found something special.
As a longtime teacher and artist, I knew that I could share Zentangle with others. Within a few days I was teaching my friends and family and within a few weeks I taught my first informal class.
In April 2015, I traveled to Rhode Island and attended the Certified Zentangle Teacher Seminar 18. As a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), I have shared the enjoyment, creative expression and benefits of this mindful, creative artform with hundreds of students over the years.
As a Zentangle teacher, I find it especially rewarding to watch people realize they have the ability to create art and enjoy creative expression. I like to say that if you take a Zentangle class, then you have a hobby for life.
I enjoy teaching Zentangle via my in-person and online Zentangle classes. I continue to attend classes and events taught by Zentangle teachers as a way to develop my practice and to stay informed and connected.
Personally, I approach Zentangle as a practice. This means that I like to put pen to paper almost every day and tangle a tile. I apply the Zentangle approaches and philosophies in my life. I read books and magazines, visit websites, follow blogs, experiment with my drawings and discuss the Zentangle art form with fellow tanglers and CZT colleagues. This routine helps me continue to develop and grow as a teacher and an artist.
I especially enjoy tinkering in my art room where I apply Zentangle techniques in making arts and crafts on a variety of media. I love sharing my discoveries with students in my Zentangle classes and with artists in our Tangle Club meetings.
In my hometown in California, I formed the Morgan Hill Tangle Club. Our group of local Zentangle enthusiasts has been meeting since November 2013. Tangle Club participants share creative ideas, tangling techniques and tangle patterns with one another. Meetings are free and open to the public. Our group has participated in local art shows and also collaborated on a downtown art installation. Many members of the Tangle Club have become Certified Zentangle Teachers. Our Tangle Club meetings are free and open to the public.
Please remember, Zentangle is for comfort & enjoyment not comparison and competition. Our lives, and our art, are meant to be enjoyed and are not a competition. Notice how tree roots and the natural world work in cooperation not competition. Cooperation is how we grow.
I encourage you to meet in-person with Zentangle artists and teachers. You’ll get to know wonderful people and perhaps spark special, new friendships.
Certified Zentangle Teacher Seminar 18
Attending the Certified Zentangle Seminar 18 in Providence, Rhode Island in April 2015 was an incredible experience. Learning about The Zentangle Method from Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, the founders of Zentangle, was inspiring.
In November 2016, I participated in zenAgain, a reunion and seminar for Certified Zentangle Teachers in Newport, Rhode Island. What an incredible time!
The zenAgain seminar in beautiful Newport was truly remarkable. Developing and gaining additional insight about Zentangle from the founders while surrounded with creative, artistic and talented CZTs affirmed my passion for teaching Zentangle.
In the autumn of 2017, the Zentangle founders Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts along with Molly Hollibaugh and Martha Huggins taught a seminar in California. I attended their fabulous Zentangle Beyond Basics program at 1440 Multiversity in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains.
In April 2018, I attended Tangle U, a CZT continuing education conference in Portland, Oregon. Attendees were treated to an array of tangling classes taught by CZT colleagues.
Learning from talented Certified Zentangle Teachers and meeting with CZT colleagues was an enriching experience (plus a lot of fun)!
In the November 2018, I participated in zenAgain, the second ever reunion for Certified Zentangle Teachers. Imagine attending an event with like-minded Zentangle teachers and artists while being hosted and taught by Zentangle founders. That’s zenAgain!
The zenAgain conference was held in scenic Providence, Rhode Island and it was such an incredible experience. Meeting with new and continuing CZT friends and colleagues, learning from the founders and experiencing a week of New England life, was so special. Realizing the significance of the art form and special community was one of the highlights for me. I’m grateful to be part of this group of Zentangle Teachers.
In February 2019, I began teaching Zentangle classes via online video conferencing. It’s been a real joy to be able to meet, teach and connect with Zentangle artists in the worldwide tangling community. Using technology to connect, share and learn together is a nice complement to classroom teaching. I’m grateful for online teaching as it has added to my teaching experience and journey.
In March 2019, the inaugural Peaceful Tangles Retreat was held in California. As a team of 3 Certified Zentangle Teachers, we welcomed Zentangle artists and CZTs to a full day of tangling in community. Gathering as a group of Zentangle enthusiasts, learning from several teachers and enjoying social time was a fulfilling experience.
In July 2019, our local Morgan Hill Tangle Club members organized together to showcase our Zentangle artwork for a month-long art show at a local Yoga studio. Opening night was full of energy! The Zentangle artists, family and friends enjoyed a special evening appreciating the art.
In October 2019, I traveled to Cork, Ireland for the gathering of European Zentangle teachers. I reunited with dear colleagues and met many CZTs who are now friends.
I was honored to be invited to participate in this event and to teach my Bijou Meets Opus class to the European CZTs.
With the stunning setting of the green rolling hills, the 'Tangling on the Wild Atlantic Way' retreat was a top-notch program with dedicated teachers and inspiring, creative tangling projects. Being in community with like-minded Zentangle teachers in this idyllic setting was an experience I will cherish.
In March 2020, the second annual Peaceful Tangles Retreat welcomed Zentangle artists to our event in Morgan Hill, California. Retreat attendees were treated to 2-days of tangling in community. Attendees enjoyed traditional tangling as well as Zentangle Inspired Art projects taught by a team of 4 Certified Zentangle Teachers. Creating art is community is a special experience.
In May 2020, I collaborated with a Certified Zentangle Teacher colleague from Canada and we co-taught Tangle Together, an international online tangling event and fundraiser for food banks. Several weeks later I collaborated with a CZT colleague from Wales and we taught the second Tangle Together international fundraiser for food banks. These events bring together Zentangle artists and 100% of ticket sales are donated to food banks. Please join my newsletter list to be notified of the next event.
In November 2021, I attended zenAgain a multi-day online seminar for Zentangle teachers. The seminar, attended by over 300 participants from 21 different countries, was taught by the founders of The Zentangle Method. We learned new tangling techniques, created lovely works of art and practiced Zentangle. These conferences allow participants to continue to learn, develop and enhance their tangling and teaching.
In April 2022, after over 2 years of having to meet via online meetings, the Morgan Hill Tangle Club group finally met back together again, in-person! Our local Tangle Club group has been meeting since autumn of 2013, so it was a joy to be able to get back to seeing everyone again! Our local Tangle Club meetings are free and open to the public.
In January 2023, I began hosting The Mindful Tangle Club ~ an online meeting place for Zentangle artists. Enrollment is open to all!
Tanglers from throughout the United States and other countries meet together online for 90-minutes of tangling on one Monday per month. We enjoy traditional tangling, community building and ‘Show & Tell Time’.
In January 2024, I was invited to teach at WinterTangle ~ an all day online tanglers’ retreat. As part of a team of Certified Zentangle Teachers, each CZT taught a Zentangle workshop during this almost 12 hour event! I taught my new Florabella tangle pattern on a tan Zendala with a gold border and words as Marginalia.
In April 2024, I hosted the Peaceful Tangles Retreat in Morgan Hill, California.
What a joy to welcome Zentangle artists to an in-person art retreat!
Zentangle artists and Certified Zentangle Teachers enjoyed 2 days of tangling in community and creating Zentangle art. The retreat workshops were taught by a team of 5 Certified Zentangle Teachers. Photos and class mosaics are viewable on the Peaceful Tangles Retreat page of this website.
In April 2025, I attended the zenAgain conference for Certified Zentangle Teachers. The 4-day, in-person gathering met in historic Mystic, Connecticut.
Imagine an energy-filled event with 250 Zentangle teachers from around the world, along with the Zentangle Founders and staff gathered together for learning, socializing and exploring and growing our Zentangle practices.
I’m grateful to have attended this event and to re-connect with Zentangle teacher colleagues and friends and to have made new friends. The tangle patterns, techniques and approaches will be shared with my students and explored in my personal artistic journey.
In May 2025, Zentangle artists and CZTs were welcomed to the 4th Peaceful Tangles Retreat in Morgan Hill, California.
Over the 2 day event, attendees were treated to Zentangle art workshops taught by a team of 5 Certified Zentangle Teachers.
The lovely group of Zentangle artists and Certified Zentangle Teachers enjoyed Zentangle workshops, meditations, special surprises, delicious treats and socializing.
Tangling in community is a special experience and we were grateful to gather as a group of Zentangle artists.
Enjoy photos and class mosaics which may be found on the Peaceful Tangles Retreat page of this website.
In August 2025, I was invited to teach at SummerTangle ~ an all day online tanglers’ retreat.
As part of a team of Certified Zentangle Teachers, we each taught a Zentangle inspired art workshop during this almost 12 hour event!
I taught my new Reticula and Flag-ments, nautical theme Zentangle inspired art project on a white 5xPhive Zentangle tile.
I'm pleased to be a Certified Zentangle Teacher and I look forward to sharing Zentangle with you.
I enjoy teaching in-person Zentangle classes as well as online classes.
If you’re interested in a class or if you’d like to subscribe to my enewsletter, please contact me via email: Nancy@LineDotCalm.com
To see photos of my artwork and classes, please visit my website, my Facebook page, Instagram page or Zentangle Mosaic App page. Thank you!
I encourage you to travel and meet in-person with Zentangle artists and teachers. You’ll slow down, create art and get to know wonderful people. Perhaps you’ll spark special new friendships. Wishing you many happy tangling adventures!
