The EACH Colour Tangle groups are small creative art groups using popular colouring and zentangle ideas, for adults using EACH services. The groups meet once a month, with a focus on fun and relaxation, encouraging friendship and support.
We spoke to Sophie and Sam, two mums from The Treehouse, who have been attending Colour Tangle since February 2016...
What does a Colour Tangle session involve?
Well there is chat and silence - but not an awkward silence - we are engrossed in what we’re doing, so it’s not intense. We are usually concentrating on doing our own thing, therefore you don’t notice the silence, you are in your own zone.
There is time for conversation and it’s easy as there are no expectations. In our day-to-day lives we have so many appointments to keep up with and tasks which mean pressure and expectations, Colour Tangle creates a space that we lack in day-to-day life. It’s a sort of meandering space, for thoughts and sharing knowledge.
What I love about it is that nothing is wrong, so there is no way anyone’s work is better or worse than anyone else’s. I feel I am artistic, and I find being with others ignites a flare in me, something that is not possible at home on my own.
Sometimes I feel guilty about coming but I push myself to come as I feel better. When I feel better then everyone feels better. I make sure I put the date in my diary so then if another appointment comes up I say, ‘sorry, I’m not available.’
What do you do in the groups?
Laugh and have tea! Share ideas on designs, art and doodling. The artist Kandinsky said ‘everything begins with a dot’. That is so true of the Colour Tangle process. We are quite experimental with colour and objects, we even doodled on leaves. We sort of just followed the lines on the leaves and filled them in with patterns - so simple but they looked stunning. Sometimes we talk about other people’s ideas such as ‘Fibonacci’ whose methods help you to draw the perfect spiral! The pattern making makes everything come together.
What are the benefits of coming?
We don’t have to finish a piece. It’s refreshing as in day-to-day life you have to finish everything, but in the Colour Tangle group it’s our decision if we finish our design or not.
It’s not like some groups, or like school, there is no judging or skills needed, and we do laugh a lot!
What would you say to encourage someone to come?
I would say it’s an opportunity to meet people you might become good friends with. Everybody can do this art, it’s satisfying to have created something, even if there is no reason for it.
For Colour Tangle dates coming up in your area, visit the website events diary:
The Treehouse
Milton
The Colour Tangle groups from The Treehouse and Milton are currently displaying their work in an exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge - click here for more information.