Nebraska Synod ELCA

Program Description

We are made in the image of God, the Creator of all.  We are created to BE creators; co-creators with God.  The different ways we create are signs of our unique God-given gifts. This series of sessions will introduce the Zentangle® drawing process as a way to connect with God and self through prayer practices and creative expression. Even if we don’t consider ourselves “artists”, this way of drawing is an invitation to slow down and discover our inner creative voice.

Zentangle is “an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns”.   If you can hold a pen and write your name, make dots, lines, curves, and orb shapes, you can do this meditative drawing.

In each of three sessions, we will learn the basics of Zentangle drawing and explore ways to connect our creative practice with a particular prayer practice.  During the week between each online gathering exercises for becoming familiar with new tangle patterns and experiencing the prayer practices will be provided.

Materials needed for this class are simple:

• Black fine point marker – I use a Sakura Micron .01, available in craft stores and through Amazon. Any black pen can work.
• Pencil
• Tortillon or blending stump – a tool used by artists, available in art and craft departments. Your finger or a Q-tip can be used, but the pointed tip of the blending tool does allow for more satisfactory results.
• Drawing surface: Basic Zentangle drawing is done on a 3.5-inch paper tile, but any paper can be used.  A PDF document including a template for the tiles we will use will be e-mailed prior to the class. These can be printed at home.  A card stock paper makes a pleasing surface for drawing.  A list of suggested supplies and sources will be included in the e-mail as well.

I, Diane Harpster, discovered this way of drawing in 2015 and quickly found it to be an opening to rediscovering the joy I have always found in creating.   I wouldn’t have called myself an artist, particularly not one who could draw.   But I soon found that this way of creating through following the eight intentional steps of the process was a way for me to slow down, calm, and center.  And I rediscovered my artistic gifts.  In time, I also discovered it could be part of my listening/prayer time.  While the practice is about the process, it’s a delight that a piece of art ends up being finished in as little as 15-20 minutes of the time spent in prayer, focusing and breathing.

Come join me in rediscovering the joy of creating!

Instructor

Diane was certified as a spiritual director in 2014 through the Nebraska Synod’s Seeking the Spirit Within spiritual direction formation institute.  She completed training as a Certified Zentangle® Teacher in 2020 as part of the first online training through Zentangle® Inc, studying with the founders of this drawing method, Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.  She enjoys exploring the intersections of art and spirituality.  Diane recently retired, having served on the Nebraska Synod staff for ten years and on the staff of her home congregation, Sinai Lutheran, Fremont, NE, for sixteen years prior to that.  She enjoys sharing the gifts that she has discovered through this meditative creative process and seeing the joy of others as they experience the connection to their own spirit’s creative expression.

Class Details

Target Audience:  High school and older; those who want to learn a meditative process of drawing as a way to pray, calm, and focus

Dates & Time:  7:30-9:00 PM CT (6:30-8:00 PM MT) – November 7, 14, 21  – Monday evenings

Fee:  Registration – $25.   No refunds after October 31.

Registration Deadline:  One week prior to first class, October 31

Zoom link, supply list and other resources for the course will be emailed the week before the course begin. Watch for an email from Diane Harpster at diane@dianeharpsterart.com.