Throughout the pandemic, people have turned to the outdoors for a location where the virus is less likely to spread. Heather Jackson, an Auburn alumna, has found her own way to move her business outside.
Jackson has been a local in the area for over 36 years. For nearly 23 of those years, she worked at Auburn as a graphic designer, which she called “a rewarding experience.” She graduated from Auburn University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in visual communications and a concentration in graphic design.
Now, she works for Auburn’s Office of Communications and Marketing. Additionally, she is enrolled in the Color of Woman Intentional Creativity Teacher program, from which she will receive her certification this spring.
In 2015, Jackson became a certified Zentangle teacher and began teaching classes at the Jan Dempsey Community Art Center. Zentangle is a form of art that focuses on line patterns to help cultivate relaxation.
“I am inspired by both the Zentangle method and the Intentional Creativity method,” she said. “They both share similar ideas of approaching art with intention and mindfulness.”
With Zentangle, the student is taught to draw patterns known as tangles. The tangles are then deconstructed, making it easier to learn how to draw them step-by-step.
The method was created and trademarked in 2003 by husband-and-wife team Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas with the philosophy of “anything is possible, one stroke at a time.”
Jackson describes Zentangles as “unplanned, abstract pieces of art,” comprised of five basic elemental strokes.
“In Zentangle, we believe if you can write your name, you can tangle,” she said. “Another Zentangle mantra is there are no mistakes. I believe these so-called mistakes are just opportunities to explore more of the tangling process.”
With the pandemic still in full-swing, Jackson wanted to make sure people could still access her classes, so she moved outdoors.
“I have loved the great outdoors since childhood,” she said. “[The] Kreher Preserve Nature Center has been a long-time favorite place for me to enjoy the aesthetic and serenity of nature … I have often envisioned bringing community together through creating art in nature.”
Hence, the Nature Art Series at KPNC was born.
The series occurs monthly, with the goal to invite the community to engage with both art and nature in a COVID-friendly environment. KPNC limits each event to a maximum of 12 people, wearing masks and socially distancing, in order to safely follow CDC guidelines.
On Jan. 16, Jackson and the KPNC put on their first event.
“I taught participants how to create their own nature-themed journals using paints, pens and watercolor paper,” she said. “It was exciting to see the community engaged in creating meaningful art inspired by nature.”
The latest event was held on Feb. 13 from 1-3 p.m.
“We will be creating unique Valentine cards using watercolor paper, paints and Zentangle,” Jackson said.
For the month of March, the class will be creating Zentangle color wheels. In April, Jackson she said hopes to make planters resembling animals out of recycled plastic bottles in honor of Earth Day.
“I believe everyone is a creative being and art is for all,” Jackson said. “I also maintain there is no right or wrong way to create art, just your way. Creativity is a wonderful and powerful way to express one’s self, especially creating art with intention and mindfulness … When we approach life with intention, we gather gratitude and appreciation for ourselves and all others in the world around us.”
Individuals can register for any of Jackson’s upcoming classes, on KPNC’s website.
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Emery Lay, junior in journalism, is a lifestyle writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
