Zen Kin® Cousins: A Worldwide Project

During the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, while many were experiencing isolation and fear, I longed to find a way to connect with friends that I had met through our mutual appreciation of the Zentangle® Method. I also wanted to be able to introduce people to this relaxing and easy to learn method of drawing so that they might realize the benefits of this activity during this global time of stress. I personally experience a calming joy when drawing my Zen Kin®, and I decided to share that joy with others. I was not wanting to simply teach others how to draw a Zen Kin, but also wanted to find a way to connect with others through my Zen Kin. The project idea was born.

The word “cousin” holds a special meaning for me. I have always been amazed that we are related to one another in some way. In my mind, we are all cousins. I decided to center the project about Zen Kin® Cousins around this theme to foster the idea that we are all cousins even if we are not yet acquainted or may never be.

I wanted to design a non-virtual project by having the actual paper the artist drew on travel by mail to be a part of a wall of artwork all together in one place on this earth. While we were unable to visit even our closest neighbors without concern of getting a life-threatening virus, it was impossible, of course, to gather with artists from other countries.

Since the mail was still being delivered, this would be the way for Zen Kin® Cousins to travel, gather, and form a community. In a time where physical separation was especially evident from not only our friends from across the globe, but also our next-door neighbors, it was my goal to have the Zen Kin® Cousins share a physical space on my wall.

The goal of Katrina’s Zen Kin Cousins project was to spread joy and foster community among the participants and all who viewed these whimsical characters. As a culmination of this year-long project, I present both my physical book and a digital version of the “wall” of Zen Kin® Cousins. I hope this will give you joy.

Thank You

I want to thank you for looking at this amazing project and the cousins within. Thank you to the participants for your time and energy to make it a reality. Thank you for all of the positive feedback and expressions of gratitude.

I feel like the project has indeed spread joy and fostered a feeling of community, and I say “thank you” to each participant for that. You are the ones who made this possible. It is an amazing collection of art, and it represents an amazing effort during a challenging time in all our lives.