One, two, three strokes and done.

Zentangle is a simplistic art form, designed to help artists clear their minds, meditate and relieve stress.

“The health benefits are what I like to focus on,” said program librarian for the Uintah County Library Melinda Barlow, adding that drawing the designs is meant to be relaxing and fun.

“It’s a form of meditation,” she said. “Some people, especially in the west here, are a little hesitant on that word — meditation — for some reason they don’t understand what it means. It’s just clearing your mind and focusing on one thing. Sometimes we are so busy that we don’t take time to focus on our inner self and zentangling allows you to do that.”

Barlow became a certified zentangles teacher in October 2010, and once a month she teaches a class.

“When I came back from Massachusetts I just wanted to share it with everyone,” Barlow said. “I did it at the county fair for the past two years and it’s something I want to share because it’s such a unique art form.”

Each class, Barlow tries to work on three or four new tangles. The tangles are usually done on 3½ by 3½ inch square paper tiles. The small sized squares are designed to allow you to complete a zentangle in 15 or 20 minutes.

Barlow said the objective is to draw an image using three or less strokes and every zentangle that is a certified zentangle has three or less strokes on the paper.

Even though the image may look complicated, it’s really simple when you break it down or even look at one after you learn how to do it, she added.

Janita Bird has been doing zentangles for roughly two years and learned from Barlow, Bird said she started to come to the zentangle class because she loves to draw.

Bird keeps a notebook with her zentangles in it and caries it with her so she can show people. She will sometimes even add to a personal zentangle after it’s done.

Jeanne Ruckman has also been doing zentangles for two years. She first learned it at the Uintah County Fair demonstration and it sparked her interest.

“It’s really easy,” Ruckman said. “I don’t make up my own designs I just follow the ones that are already done, but it’s a good stress relief.”

Zentangling was created by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, and their website states zentangling started when Thomas was drawing background images on a manuscript she was working on.

She described the drawing as making her feel “timeless” and have a feeling of well-being.

Both Thomas and Roberts wanted others to have similar experiences and they began to work toward developing the zentangle system.

Barlow also sells zentangle kits, and anyone wanting to learn should come to her class at the library.