My name is Jennifer Barber, and I bring over 30 years of experience as an artist in the Bay Area. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Art from San Jose State University, where I specialized in incorporating electronics into artistic presentations. My undergraduate work culminated in a multimedia installation on a beach in Santa Cruz that harnessed the natural power of the ocean.
After graduating, I worked as a graphic artist and art director for several companies and startups in the South Bay. I later left the high-tech world to freelance as a graphic artist and photographer, a path that also allowed me to focus on raising my three children.
For the past ten years, I have taught art in elementary schools and summer camps throughout the South Bay. My lessons are inspired by a wide range of cultures, artistic styles, artists, and techniques. In my own creative practice, I have explored many mediums, including photography, stained glass, painting, drawing, textiles, and—most recently—Zentangle.
In June 2016, I traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, to study the Zentangle Method of drawing and meditation with its founders, Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts. Before attending the training, I had learned tangle patterns from books and online resources and was focused primarily on creating perfect, polished images—an approach that often felt stressful. During the training, I learned the deeper history and philosophy behind Zentangle directly from its creators and finally understood the “zen” in Zentangle.
Traditional meditation and yoga had never quieted my mind, so discovering a creative practice that naturally led me into a state of relaxed focus and mindfulness was transformative. In October 2025, I attended the Zentangle Conference online to study new techniques and expand my teaching even further. I continue to learn, explore, and share—and I have so much more to teach.
Since 2016, I have taught hundreds of classes to individuals and groups, including Stanford Health, Google, 1440 Multiversity, and The Dancing Cat. I am especially proud of my ability to teach large groups and am available for workshops and team-building experiences.
I would love to share the Zentangle philosophy with you and guide you in discovering that Anything Is Possible One Stroke at a Time™ in one of my upcoming classes.
