Update on Katrina’s Zen Kin® Cousin Project

Hello!

Here is an update on the Katrina’s Zen Kin® Cousin Project.

Wow! I am so happy with what has been happening in just the first two days!

Many questions have been asked. I want to answer them here.  Maybe you will find answers to some questions you might have.

1. Katrina, are you happy with the response so far?

It has been only two days and I have had tears of joy several times already.  The answer is yes.  I am very happy. Thank you!

2. Katrina, do you have any idea how many Zen Kin® Cousins you will receive?

I have no idea. I am happy with whatever I get. I am appreciating each one as they arrive. Thank you!

3. Katrina, what will you do if you have more Cousins than wall space?

I will cross that bridge when I come to it.  I will find a wall somewhere to meet my needs. Where there is a will there is a way! Where there is a will there is a “wall” for our Zen Kin® Cousins. Thank you!

4. Katrina, do you wish you had more ways to spread the word?

Yes, I do!  I was thinking of ways to get outside of the Zentangle® community.  I want as many Zentangle® enthusiasts as possible to participate.  I am hoping that all the CZTs that I have met already, all the CZTs I haven’t met, and any students of CZTs get the information about this wonderful project.  I have pondered how to get the information to reach even more people. I would love to give the opportunity to join to as many as possible. I am thankful to any of you that have ideas that you want to share in this matter. Thank you!

5. Katrina, must we draw the face portion of the Zen Kin® Cousin to look like yours? 

Not at all! I want your character’s facial features, face shape, personality and skin tone to be whatever you wish within the confines of using a black micron or similar pen, a pencil, a tortillon or similar, and a Zentangle® tile or 3 ½ X 3 ½ piece of paper. The whole point of this project is to get different Cousins with different looks and ones that represent people from all over the world.  Each and every one of my Zen Kin® are different from one another including some twins that I have drawn in the past. They have varied looks, but I am not qualified, nor would even try to represent all of you.  I hope that everyone feels represented in this worldwide project.  I ask that you stick with the four tangles that I have suggested and that you do the DOB, your chop and the first and middle name.  I want you to write Zen Kin® Cousin on the bottom of the tile. If you could take the time to watch the video then I think it will become clear what I hope to acheive. Please make it your own. Thank you!

6. Katrina, may I draw the Zen Kin® Cousin of my own design, using my own tangles for the project?

Not for the project but certainly for any extra to send along with the project one.  I have designed the project to show how different we all can draw Zen Kin® Cousins while using only four tangles that I have guided in the video.  I would love to have a collection of extra Zen Kin® Cousins from you using any tangles of your choice and will gather those for posting on my website at a later date. I appreciate you following my specific design for this project. Thank you!

7. Katrina, what kind of feedback have you gotten so far?

It has been amazing!  I am so happy! I have had people tell me they did not think they could draw them and that my instruction was easy to follow.  I have had people say that they can see why I draw these characters as it gave them so much joy to see theirs come to life. Mostly they say they have fun with it and that is simply the best! I have had a lot of people say that their Zen Kin® Cousin is in the mail! Every day will be a wonderful day! Thank you!

8. Katrina, where can I post my Zen Kin® Cousinon social media when finished?  And do you want me to post it at all?

You can post them on my Facebook page.  It is Katrina’s Zen Kin.  I will see them there. You may also post it anywhere you wish.  I love to have my name linked if you post it so that people know about the project and that I have the pleasure of seeing it.  I love that so many are excited to share.  I know the feeling.  When I get done with a Zen Kin® and feel that they are now real characters I just want the world to meet them.  You do not need to share them this way for the project though and some will not want to post them. I will share the “Wall of Zen Kin® Cousins” for all to see here on this website when I get a wall started. Thank you!

9. Katrina, when is the final date that the Zen Kin® Cousins need to be sent?

Right now, I have not decided an end date to this project.  I want to see how it unfolds.  Keep checking my website for updates. Thank you!

10. Katrina, can I teach this to others?

I am glad to have you share the link to the video or share the video during free in person classes or gatherings.  I want my video to be the only method of teaching it at this time.  I have other educational ideas for later regarding my Zen Kin®.  You may check here for updates. Thank you!

11. Katrina, may I sell a Zen Kin® Cousin?

No, you may not sell anything with the name Zen Kin® or Zen Kin® Cousin. Thank you! 

12. Katrina, may I draw more Zen Kin® Cousins?

Yes, for your own enjoyment.  If you share the image on social media, please name me as the creator of Zen Kin® and the inspiration for your Zen Kin® Cousin. Thank you!

13. Katrina, may I send you more Zen Kin® Cousins?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have received some in the past before I made this video available. I adore receiving gifts of Zen Kin® Cousins made in any style, with any tangles as hair. I would love for you to add Zen Kin® Cousin on the front as you have in this project. Thank you!

14. Katrina, what has been the most surprising in the first two days?

That a CZT from Italy, Lucia De Franco, is going to do my project with 50-60 of her middle school aged students.  They are studying English and they will do my project and send Zen Kin® Cousins to me.  She asked if I would make a special introductory video for the class and I did.  I am excited to think that I will be a part of the education of middle school aged children in Italy.  I am honored to have her want to be a part of this.  I couldn’t have imagined something like this project in my younger days.  The world is so able to connect through the internet and it continues to surprise this Grandma. I am surprised how much I feel like telling my Mom and Dad (who have passed) about this project and all the people I am meeting from all over the world. I feel like a happy little girl. I am grateful for the internet.  I am also a bit surprised to see the amazing things that people say about me. I feel kindness within and many have mentioned that I am kind. I can’t think of a better compliment. It still surprises me to hear others say it though. Thank you!

15. Katrina, what can I do to help you?

I love this question. It is so thoughtful. The only thing I need right now is for you to help encourage others to participate.  I need as many of you to spread the word as possible. I need those who think outside the box. I need people who have connections to lots of people to spread the word. I don’t want you to feel pressure to do this though. Just enjoy doing it yourself. Like I said, it isn’t about how many Zen Kin® Cousins we get, but it is fun to think about a large number also. Thank you!

16. Katrina, how do you feel about your project?

I feel like this project no longer belongs to just me.  This is what I was hoping for! I didn’t know it would come so soon. This belongs to all of us. I already sense the feeling of communtiy between those who have had time to create their Zen Kin® Cousin. We will all make this project what it becomes.  I started the spark. I feel like my heart skips a beat or two every few minutes with excitement.  I did not care how many Zen Kin® Cousins were born and became part of this wall.  I only cared that it brought joy to those that participated.  Now, I am humbled by the early response and am blown away by the pondering of just how many people may find this joyful.  I am amazed at how many Cousins might be “born” and become part of this wall. I am full of appreciation and am filled with joy. So far, my post explaining the Zen Kin® Cousin Project has reached people in 24 different countries. I am glad they have been informed about the project and am hoping they all feel called to create their own Zen Kin® Cousin.  Here is a list of the countries: Australia,  Belgium,  Canada,  Croatia,  Czechia,  France,  Germany,  Hong Kong,  India,  Italy,  Japan,  Malaysia,  Netherlands,  Norway , Pakistan,  Singapore,  South Africa,  Spain,  Sweden,  Switzerland,  Taiwan,  United Arab Emirates,  United Kingdom, and the  United States   

Here is a link to the You Tube Video for the Katrina’s Zen Kin® Cousins Project again. Thank you everyone! Katrina

https://youtu.be/k6pr8_uPM_w