Margaret Hart – Zany Zentangles

Written in November 2024.

In my own words

I grew up on a wheat and sheep farm just out of Charlton in northwest Victoria. After high school, I went to Bendigo Teacher’s College to gain my Diploma of Teaching (Primary).

My first teaching position was at Campmeadows Primary School in Broadmeadows, and it was an eye opener for a country girl but I was thoroughly delighted by the students whom I had the pleasure of teaching. I have taught in schools in Upfield, Coolaroo, Brunswick, Caroline Springs and Mill Park.

I have always loved calligraphy and the beautiful patterns used to decorate versals. I wanted to expand my skills, designs and ideas so I googled doodling and found a zentangle pattern called cadent. I was on my way to hours of fun of drawing and learning so many different tangles.

My husband Geoff is also a member of Nillumbik U3A. He is a member of the choir and previously has been part of a Banyule French group. Geoff and I love caravanning and have seen so much of Australia but there is still plenty to explore. We have been lucky enough to travel overseas numerous times and Turkey and Iceland were my favourite trips.

We have 4 grandchildren who keep us busy. All 4 have had a go at drawing a zentangle and creating a piece of artwork; so anyone of any age can zentangle.

What my students will learn

My students will learn to combine simple drawing techniques using easy to master strokes known as ‘tangles’. If you can draw a line (doesn’t have to be straight), draw the letters C and S and a dot, then you can create a Zentangle piece of artwork on a 9cm square paper tile.

Zentangle is an art therapy that will hopefully help the students to find a way to relax and create beautiful artworks using the Zentangle method.

Class structure

The class begins with a check in to see if everyone is ok and to take a couple of moments to get ready, then onto tangling. A new tangle is introduced and demonstrated and is used as the basis for a new tile. At the end of each class, we arrange all the tiles to make a mosaic, which is a collaboration and celebration of the group’s work for the session.

Why did you volunteer to run this class?

I only recently retired from the teaching profession which I had enjoyed for 50 years. When I joined U3A in 2024, having recently retired from the teaching profession, I was asked to lead a new Zentangle group as there was a wait list to join the other Zentangle group. By becoming a tutor, I have been able to continue teaching, utilising my CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher) training.