Zentangle with Name

In this first 4th Grade art project of the year, we carefully design our name using thick or "bubble" letters, while also measuring for even placement and deliberate composition. We then divide the background into sections (this is called a "stringer" as the method represents a string that connects all things). We then create "tangles" in each section. Tangles are from the Zentangle process of making designs or patterns as a form of mindfulness practice. As we concentrate and focus solely on our (permanent) mark-making, we can appreciate the permanence and the nature of zen - as "mistakes" do happen and they are also meant to be. The mindful focus facilitates our ability to challenge our skills and become more successful at creating or reproducing designs and figuring out patterns in existing designs. Students are given artistic control over the way they choose to add color to their name, as this is actually the first step in the process, we will typically make two and choose our favorite. One of their names is colored using "analogous" (or neighboring colors on the color wheel) colors, the second is using their own color choice/design.