Hello! I’m Jenny Mahan, a multi-passionate artist inspired by the ever-changing rhythms and interconnections of the natural world.

I create art to capture the sense of wonder, tranquility, connectedness/belonging I feel outdoors—in my garden, or adventuring through the wilds of the Great Lakes and Northwoods—translating those experiences into swirling colors, intricate patterns, and contemplative landscapes. 

I create art to focus and ground myself in the midst of these tumultuous times, and hopefully create a sanctuary for others to do the same.

My process is intuitive and layered. I often begin with watercolor washes, letting pigments flow and blend organically, then build up detail with pen, ink, and colored pencil. Each piece is a journey—sometimes planned, sometimes spontaneous—always guided by a deep respect for and delight in the natural world.

My Artistic Journey

My journey is not just about art or celebrating the beauty of nature—it’s about resilience, hope, and the magic of small steps. 

A few years ago, my life was a whirlwind. As a home care nurse working through the COVID pandemic and navigating the end of a dysfunctional marriage, I felt overwhelmed, burned out, adrift. I’d always been creative—writing, singing, crocheting, making things with my hands—but visual art felt intimidating, like a mountain I wasn’t sure I could climb.

That changed in July 2022, when I stumbled across Zentangle almost by accident.  Zentangle, with its gentle philosophy of “no mistakes” and its focus on mindful, meditative mark-making, became my daily lifeline. Each stroke brought calm, focus, and a glimmer of hope. I discovered that, just like in life, “anything is possible one stroke at a time.”

Zentangle Inspired Art opened a new world for me. I found joy in blending organic patterns, vibrant colors, and the rhythms of nature. As I practiced, I found not just a new art form, but a new way of being. Zentangle helped me calm my mind, ease my anxieties, and rediscover delight. It taught me that progress, in art and in life, happens one small, doable step at a time. And there are no mistakes, only opportunities to learn, experiment, shift direction and try the next small move.

Now, I create Zentangle-inspired art that blends meditative patterns with vibrant, nature-inspired scenes. My art is a celebration of resilience, healing, and the beauty that emerges from seeming chaos. I want my work to be a reminder: you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to begin. My hope is that my work offers others the same sense of calm, hope, delight, and possibility that art has given me.

I don’t know exactly where this journey will lead, but I trust that—like a Zentangle tile—it will unfold in surprisingly beautiful ways.

What Inspires Me

• The golden light of sunset through the trees or across landscapes
• The intricate patterns of leaves, ferns, tendrils, rootlets, wildflowers…
• The cycles of growth, change, and renewal in nature
• The myriad moods and shapes of water and weather
• The sense of peace and connection found in wild places

My Mission

I believe art has the power to cultivate calm, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. I believe in art as a centering, grounding force in personal and community healing, resilience, and resistance. And I try to not take myself too seriously- to allow myself to play and delight in my practice, and encourage others to embrace delight and fun even while doing serious work in the world or in the midst of hardships. My hope is that my work invites you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the beauty that surrounds and connects  us—even in the most chaotic moments of life.

Influences: 

Zentangle

Neurographic art

Biomorphic art