Paula Dickerhoff has an interest that is inexpensive, requires only paper and pencil, improves concentration and relieves stress while creating art.

Her specialty is Zentangle(r), “the method of creating beautiful images using repetitive patterns.” Dickerhoff designs an actual Zentangle using a pencil to make a border and ‘strings’ on a 3.5-inch paper tile.

“The sections created by the strings are then filled in with ink using repetitive patterns,” Dickerhoff said. “Anyone can make a Zentangle tile.”

Dickerhoff has brought Zentangle art to 16 Main Gallery.

After learning Zentangle concepts, individuals then can expand to Zentangle-inspired art. Dickerhoff creates works on paper that resemble objects, like animals and buildings.

“I also make domino necklaces,” she said. “I have tangled on shoes, jeans, jackets, dresses, bags and piggy banks.”

Dickerhoff previously had the distinction as Alabama’s only certified Zentangle teacher. The art form “is slowly moving this way. If you go to Massachusetts, you’ll find lots of instructors,” she said.

“I’ve always been interested in arts and crafty-type things, even as a child. I crochet, do needle work (Hardanger and cross stitch) and some sewing,” Dickerhoff said.

In other interests, she enjoys taking a weekly class in watercolor, dabbles in acrylics and likes to design with colored pencils.

Her husband Bill Dickerhoff works as a program manager for The Boeing Company. Their sons attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Trey, 22, is majoring in computer science. Tyler, 19, is a neuroscience major. Trey and Tyler are musicians and play trombone, euphonium, trumpet and French horn.

Dickerhoff’s Zentangle art is on exhibit at 16 Main Gallery. For more information, email to pdickerhoff@gmail.com or visit wannatangle.com and Facebook/wannatangle.