Inspiration

How Art Can Enrich Modern Motherhood: Practical Advice and Creative Activities to Do with Your Child

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How Art Can Enrich Modern Motherhood: Practical Advice and Creative Activities to Do with Your Child

Much like the process of birth and rebirth in nature, a mother's journey is the selfless force that sustains life in this world. From the moment she conceives a human being inside her womb - everything in her becomes dedicated to sustaining life. She feeds us, nourishes us, and propels us to face the world. Without our mothers, we would not know life as it is. Today, we celebrate modern motherhood that includes a much larger scope. We acknowledge that mothers are a symbol of life, and they come in the form of those who have gone out of their way to help us live out our fullest potential. They are our birth mothers, adoptive mothers, single dads, grandmothers, aunts, siblings, best friends, teachers, and all those who have helped raise and mould us into the people we are today. We commemorate their great strength, fortitude, and unconditional love. In this article, we give honour to the great mothers in art and society and we discuss various ways on how art can certainly help mothers become more mindful in their daily lives, and achieve fulfilment and happiness together with their children. 

Modern MotherhoodSpring Time Maternity. Ashton Mullins, Belgrade, Unites States, 2018


Motherhood in Art

A mother's journey is something universal. It is a truth that applies to everyone and transcends all ages and generations. The history of art has shown us a lot of works that were themed around stories of motherhood, and the multifaceted lives that they live/d. Going back to prehistory, the Venus of Willendorf is an icon of motherhood that plays a central role in defining how fertility was perceived by our ancestors.

Venus of Willendorf - Modern Motherhood

Venus of Willendorf. Oolitic limestone, 24,000 and 22,000 BCE

The sculpture is an 11.1 cm tall figurine, estimated to have been carved between 24,000 and 22,000 BCE, and found in 1908 by a workman named Johann Veran at a palaeolithic site near Willendorf, Austria. It was carved from oolitic limestone, and tinted with red ochre - one of the first pigments known to mankind!

Madonna Litta, Leonardo da Vinci - Modern MotherhoodMadonna Litta, Leonardo da Vinci. Oil on canvas, 1490

In 1490, Leonardo da Vinci painted the Madonna Litta which depicts the iconic image of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding baby Jesus. Regarded as one of the most famous motherhood paintings in history, the Madonna Litta humanised the mother-son relationship of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. It allowed people to see Him in a more approachable light, as it was a human mother who gave birth to Him, fed, bathed, and clothed Him the same way we all experienced. This has marked the beginning of the High Renaissance era in painting, and has inspired a lot of renditions of Madonna and Child throughout history.Mary Cassatt, the first woman impressionist in America, widely explored the theme of modern motherhood in her paintings. Although she was not a mother herself, her compositions are often reminiscent of Italian Renaissance depictions of the Madonna and Child. After 1900, she concentrated almost exclusively on mother and child subjects, where she depicted her own relatives - her sister and her children, her mother, friends, and clients who asked for commission works. It has been stated that her creativity endeavours were highly influenced by her mother, and she is also credited with influencing the careers of many female artists in America. We talked about Mary Cassatt's role in women's empowerment through art further in this article. 

Mary Cassatt, Children Playing with a Cat - Mothers Motherhood

Children Playing with a Cat, Mary Cassatt. Oil on canvas, 1908

Modern Motherhood in Society

Maria Montessori bears a name recall due to her biggest legacy: the educational method that she pioneered. She is the most profound influence on today's early development methods for children - used in nurseries, basic education schools, and even by mothers who are home-schooling their children. In the Montessori way, she stressed the importance of art and culture in the development of children. Art, like language or music, is a means of expression. Opportunities for art should always be a part of the classroom environment and not a special event. When children are able to create freely, they feel respected and satisfied with their abilities.

Maria Montessori - Modern Motherhood

Maria Montessori engaging with children with her revolutionary nomenclature cards

"Intense love does not measure. It just gives." - Mother Teresa" 

In 1948, Sister Teresa of Calcutta left the convent because of a "call within a call", sent on a mission to help the poor and live amongst them. She was to turn her back on everything and live a life of humility and love. Teresa lived in India and received medical training in Patna before venturing out. In her diary, she wrote that her first year was fraught with difficulty. With no income, she begged for food and supplies and experienced doubt, loneliness and the temptation to return to the comforts of her previous life. But in no time, she was joined by a group of young women in her mission, and Teresa became a living example of a mother's unconditional love.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta - Modern Motherhood

Mother Teresa stands with children at her Calcutta mission. Tim Graham/Corbis, 1979, Calcutta, India

Throughout her mission and life, Mother Teresa received numerous awards like the Nobel Peace Prize and Order of the Smile, but her beatification and canonisation as a defined just how much her motherhood influenced the world. On 4 September 2016, she was declared a saint by Pope Francis at the St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Rome.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Audrey Hepburn, Vietnam - Modern Motherhood

Audrey Hepburn walking with children in Hoang Lien Son. Peter Charlesworth, Vietnam, 1990

The world knows Audrey Hepburn as a face of beauty and a fashion icon, but not many people are aware of the life of modern motherhood she dedicated to helping children. She kept quiet about her mission of helping out children in Africa through her involvement with UNICEF. She was one of the first Hollywood actresses who became involved with social causes, and not for fame - but because she had the heart to do so. "I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II" - Audrey Hepburn

Motherhood Today

Motherhood has faced substantial change in overtime. Traditionally, a mother's role was limited to staying at home, attending to the household, and taking care of the family. It was the age of great divide between men and women, but all this changed after the age of industrialisation came. Women got more roles in society, they were fighting for equality, rights to vote, get jobs the same way men did, and earn a decent living for themselves. This revolutionised women's way of life, but it also came with an insuperable amount of modern motherhood expectations from society.

Rise Up, Women, Diane Atkinson - Modern MotherhoodDetail from the cover of the book Rise Up, Women! The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes (by Diane Atkinson)

Super mom - Modern Motherhood

"Women expect that we can do it all -- be the mom, the wife, the star employee. But in our quest to be perfect, we end up forfeiting our own sanity." - Sanity Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life (by Dale V. Atkins, Avon Books, 2007)The society we live in has conditioned women to feel guilty about prioritizing either of these two things. Working mothers are expected to work over and beyond their physical capacity, and stay-at-home moms are pressured into finding jobs and making "something" out of themselves - as if being a full-time mom is not work in itself. The truth is: we can't do it all. And what modern motherhood ultimately need is the freedom of choice and support, without any string of shame or self-condemnation attached to it. We need to overcome this poor perception about mothers and bring them empowerment through art. 


The relationship between motherhood and art

Mothers are the heart and light of the household. They are driven to fulfil this role with all that they have, and with the amount of expectation everyone asks of them - taking time for themselves can be the last thing on their minds. Mothers live their lives dedicated to their families and children, and when they go off to discover new lives on their own, it's no surprise that they may feel lost or off-tracked. Reclaim your identity by taking the necessary breaks and doing something that sparks your passion - independent of anyone. Once in a while, you need to prioritize yourself so you can provide a better home for your family. When you are relaxed, so is the rest of them. When you are happy, it flows through. Art comes as a form of self-help, therapy, and like the process of modern motherhood - when you create something from inside you, you give birth to your own child.

Ardak Kassenova, ZenART Supplies, Modern MotherhoodZenART's co-founder @ardak_zenart with her fresh-made hot batik. Bali, 2018

Remember: art-making is not just limited to painting! It is any form of creative self-expression that you feel comfortable with. It can be crafts, origami, music, cooking, gardening, or what have you. The end goal is to create and accomplish something with only yourself as a tool: your mind, your hands, your imagination. By simply starting with art as a hobby, you have opened the doors to your creative journey. Not only will it give you mindfulness and happiness, but art-making can also be a proper profession for you while you take care of your family.
Create during your "me" time
Dedicating a personal time to enrich yourself is extremely essential for your self-development as a mother. It gives you room to explore and know yourself better. If you want to try out painting, do it. If you want to cook good food for yourself, you are free to do so. During this time, prioritize yourself and listen closely to what your heart tells you to do.
Discover art you love within groups
Join different groups and communities where you can focus on creativity. By doing so,  you are able to socialize and learn from other people. Discover new ways on how to do the things you are interested in doing, and share your insights with them as well. It is very important that you have a support system in this journey. You can begin by joining online communities and groups that talk about your art and inspiration!
Get creative with your children
Having art-related activities to do with your children can definitely create a stronger bond in your relationship. Moreover, you will introduce them to a world of creative imagination that will be embedded in them all their life.

ZenART Supplies, Ardak Kassenova, Modern Motherhood

ZenART's co-founder @ardak_zenart spending some quality time with her daughters at the park. London, 2017

Maria Montessori, one of the notable "mothers" we discussed above, really revolutionized the educational system. Through her, art was given extreme importance in the classroom setting. Children were encouraged to explore, create, and develop themselves by acting more freely in their environment. She discovered that when you expose children to art and culture, that's what they will develop within. Exposing them to an environment of open minds. Maria Montessori concluded that children had a natural curiosity to learn, and the real role of the educator was to remove obstacles to the development of this learning.


Enriching parent-child relationship through art

Modern motherhood is the most important role you will fulfil in your life. While taking care of yourself, it is also up to you to decide how you want your children to grow up. Introducing them to art is one of the most helpful ways they can become well-rounded and acculturate people.

Modern Motherhood"I love you, mom!", Jeremy McKnight, Graham, United States, 2018

Art teaches us that there can be more than one solution to a problem. As Maria Montessori said, art teaches children to be more imaginative - AKA think outside the box! It develops in them a natural curiosity, problem-solving skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, people relations, and almost all the essential life skills they will need. Just think about Leonardo Da Vinci: he took inspiration from art but he was the Renaissance polymath! In this part, we will discuss practical suggestions for activities to do with your children and how to go about them. We will also provide you with full reading lists where you can learn more about these topics!

1. WHAT: Learning and getting into the creative mindset

For this step, let's follow the Montessori way of learning, which basically consists of two, interchangeable points:
  • First: To read, study, and learn techniques. This applies especially to the arts, where you are encouraged to read related books at home. Read up about the different artists you admire, and study their creative thought process! Discuss your learnings with your children and ask them about their opinions on the subject. This will help them develop their analytical side.
Example: In this section, we will analyze one of Salvador Dal'i's most famous paintings - The Persistence of Memory! Set up a time with your child/ren and do this activity together, taken from the book Famous Paintings (by Courtauld, Sarah, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2012). Ask your children: what do you see in this painting? How does it make you feel? Discuss the different points in the activity and encourage them to speak their minds freely.

Modern Motherhood - Creative Activities to do with your child
  • Second: Go out and see the real world! Try to apply what you learned in your personal studies to your environment. Visit museums, galleries, and participate in different art-related activities to do with your children. You can join parent-child art workshops, baking classes, yoga sessions, and whatever sparks a creative interest in you.
Example: Visit the nearest gallery or museum with your child/ren. Check out the paintings and ask them how they think these works were created. Observe, and let them know what you think while allowing them to make their own observations as well. After you've done this, sit down together and fill this activity book, taken from the Art Activity Book (by Baer, Sam, Hore, Rosie, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2015, page 74). Fill in the frames and have fun drawing your own versions of portraiture!

Modern Motherhood - Creative Activities to do with your childZenART Supplies, Ardak Kassenova, Modern Motherhood - Creative Activities to do with your child

Beatrice, Digital Marketing Manager @ZenART Supplies, with ZenART's co-founder @ardak_zenart and her lovely two, going to the V&A Museum for the Frida Kahlo special exhibition.  

ZenART Supplies, Ardak Kassenova, Modern Motherhood - Creative Activities to do with your child


2. HOW: Practicing what you've learned

In this step, you will translate what you've learned from the first step into actual work. Immersing yourselves in creative and mindful activities to do with your children such as painting and yoga will encourage the build-up of long-term, imaginative memories for them.A few examples of fun and creative activities to do with your children at home are origami, paper collage, painting, and playing games. However, you are not limited to this! Show them the world and let their imaginations flow through by bringing them to parks, taking them to nature walks, and visiting art galleries. You can also take them camping and plein-air painting! The possibilities are limitless.

Modern Motherhood - Creative activities to do with your child

Mother carrying her child on a colour run, celebrating the Indian festival of Colors - Holi. Ketan Rajput, Milpitas, United States, 2016

Allow your children to play and get as messy as they need to be. Give them their own space, and encourage them to explore with their minds and physical bodies. With this process, they will understand how different things relate to each other, and experience the joy of creating and mindfulness in themselves. Emotional memory is also something that gets stored deep in the subconscious. When they feel good about the results of their work and activities, they will remember this throughout their lives.

"Do not be afraid to make mistakes, because really - there are no mistakes in the creative process."

Example: Do this crazy fun art activity together using only bright tissue paper! You are free to interchange this with whatever material - like Japanese paper, crepe paper, etc. After you've seen the finished product, proudly frame it and hang it on your wall. This will make your children realize that they have created their own masterpiece. Taken from The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas (by Fiona Watt, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2009, page 200).

Modern Motherhood - Creative activities to do with your child


3. Creating daily habits of creativity and mindfulness

After you've put your initial learnings into practice, the next challenge is to create habits! Having daily activities to do with your children centred around creativity and mindfulness will surely build a positive long-term impact on their overall development. "Mindfulness teaches children about their inner and outer worlds, which makes them aware of their emotions. Mindfulness shows children how to overcome challenges through guided instruction in fun, sensory-based activities." - Mindfulness For Children (by T.L. Daniel, editor, year, page)In their developmental years, children are like sponges. They absorb everything and mirror their parents' behaviour. When they see that their parents are calm, relaxed and positive even in the face of problems, they will adapt to the same system. As they learn how to practice mindfulness from you, you can also learn it from them.Merging physical movement with art-making makes for the perfect combination of practising mindfulness and art in our daily lives. Begin doing this by creating a lifestyle routine with your children that they can look forward to doing each day.

Modern Motherhood

A baby's first steps. Priscilla Du Preez, 2016

A great example of this that we encourage is: waking up on time, walking in your neighbourhood for a few minutes to get your blood flowing, and having a good experience through mindful cooking and eating. What we put in our bodies greatly affect our mood and attitude, that's why we encourage the practice of eating mindfully in modern motherhood. As Hippocrates famously said - "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Through this, you are actually creating a relationship between your body and soul. Like art-making, yoga is a great experience where you can practice mindful movement with your children. Reminding them of things like straightening their backs and sitting upright can creative positive domino effects in their everyday lives. Mindful movement teaches children simple self-regulation strategies. Children begin to learn that they can control their breathing and heart rate, which leads to awareness of their brain-body relationship."  - Mindfulness For Children (by Daniel L. Tracy, Adams Media, 2018). In the long run, this will teach them that they have control over their thoughts and emotions, leading them to become more mindful of everything.

Example: You can do this community-based yoga activity with your family during weekends (as a start). You can also invite your close friends, siblings, nieces and nephews... Whoever you want to include! The more, the merrier! Just be sure to remain calm and mindful of your movements during this time. When you expose your children to this way of life, it will encourage the growth of a peaceful mindset within them.

Modern Motherhood - Creative Activities to do with your child


Enjoy your time with your children
Children are growing all the time! Learn how to slow down, and take your precious time with them. This season of childhood will not last forever. You don't need to engage in multiple creative activities to do with your children all-week long; but instead - focus on building a relationship grounded on common interests like art-making, crafting, baking, etc. Spending time with them and knowing who they are growing to be, are the most precious memories could leave them with. The gifts of art and mindfulness are the most essential non-material things you could give your children. Through this, they will grow to be the best people that they can be.

Modern Motherhood - Creative Activities to do with your child

ZenART's co-founder @ardak_zenart face painting with her elder daughter Tamara. On the right, cooking gnocchi with her little Laura. London, 2018

Happy Mother's Day to all the precious mothers out there! This day is for you. Relax, spend time with your children, and create! Enjoy this process of modern motherhood - it only comes a few times in our lives. ZenART's co-founder, Ardak Kassenova, shares many of her favourite art and mindfulness books with us. All the referenced activities to do with your children and suggested readings in this article come from her shelves - which she reads and puts into practice with her daughters! We hope you find them useful in your creative modern motherhood journey, too! 

Are you still wondering how to start? Begin a new creative adventure with ZenART Supplies this May: join the #zenartmamas challenge! It will help you to stay motivated, and you will learn directly from our co-founder @ardak_zenart's best motherhood and mindfulness tips. Join the #zenartmamas challenge starting on Sunday, 12 May 2019! 

Modern Motherhood #zenartmamas

This is not your ordinary painting challenge! In accordance with our philosophy, we want to run a motivational and meaningful art challenge in celebration of motherhood, and help all the creative mothers out there achieve fulfilment and happiness together with their children! This will allow you to work on your self-development and also give you the opportunity to socialise with other mother-artists. Moreover, you'll get practical advice on how to spend valuable time with your children and strengthen your relationship even more. Join us now! 


Further readings:

WHAT: Learning and getting into the creative mindset
  • Baer, Sam, Hore, Rosie, Art Activity Book, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2015
  • Courtauld, Sarah, Famous Paintings, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2012
  • Flux, Paul, How Artists Use Perspective, Harcourt Education, 2007  
  • Wheatley, Abigail, The Story of Painting, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2013
HOW: Practicing what you've learned
  • Brooks, Susie, Get Into Art, Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2013
  • Dowsett, Elizabeth, Disney Ideas Book, Penguin Random House, 2018
  • Watt, Fiona, The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas, Usborne Publishing Ltd., 2009
  • Wenzel, Angela, 13 Art Techniques Children Should Know, Prestel Publishing Ltd., 2017
Creating daily habits of creativity and mindfulness
  • Afzal, Uz, Mindfulness For Children, Kyle Books, 2018
  • Daniel L., Tracy, Mindfulness For Children, Adams Media, 2018
  • Guber, Tara, Kalish, Leah, Yoga Pretzels: 50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids & Grownups, Tara Barefoot Books, 2005
  • Justin R., Adams, The Mindful Life Journal, Better Life Journals LCC, 2017
  • Kettmann, Susan, The 2,000 Best Games & Activities. Sourcebooks, Inc., 2005
  • Mindfulness Colouring and Creativity Book for Children, The Future Teacher Foundation Publishing, 2015

    - MEET THE AUTHOR -

    Ardak Kassenova is a London based contemporary artist, co-founder and creative director of ZenART Supplies. Her visual style-contemporary impressionism-share similar aesthetic qualities with those by the French Impressionists. After 20 years of a successful corporate career, becoming a mother to two wonderful girls, and with the continuous development of her practice by taking private lessons from the best artists she could find; Ardak decided it's time to align her life with her true passion, Art. Driven by this passion and her corporate leadership background, she co-founded ZenART.

    "My heart and soul were always with Art, and since my childhood as long as I remember myself, I was dreaming to be an artist. I was painting after work, when I had time, and teaching myself through the books, videos, visiting art galleries and museums. I've been very curious about different techniques and styles, and therefore accumulated knowledge and experience on a variety of mediums."

    Read more about Ardak Kassenova in this feature. Say hello to @ardak_zenart on Instagram!

     

     

    Regina R. is the head content writer for ZenART Supplies. She is a full-time artist, art and literature advocate, and a mother of three cats. On her free days - she likes to cook, knit, and tinkle around with her typewriter while drinking a glass or two of good red wine. Oh, and she loves 60's music too!
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  • Returns/Order Cancellations. Zen Coins earned for a purchase that is then the subject of a return, cancellation, refund, declined credit card or gift card, or other credit will be deducted from your account in an amount equal to the zen coins earned for the original transaction, including any bonus zen coins that may be applicable. Any rewards discounts that are applied to the order, will be distributed equally to the applicable items in the order when completing a return. Zen Coins redeemed on an order will not be reapplied back to your rewards account for any reason on a returned order. If a return/cancellation will cause your account to have a negative zen coin balance, you will not begin earning zen coins again until your zen coins balance is returned to zero (0), by making purchases, or engaging in other promotional activities offered from time to time. If an item is exchanged (different product) any redeemed rewards on the initial purchase may be transferred to the exchange one (1) time only. Rewards used on an order that is canceled cannot be reapplied as they are good for just one use.
  • Bonus Zen Coins Promotions. From time to time, ZenART Supplies may run certain bonus zen coin promotions. Under bonus zen coin promotions, Members can earn additional or "bonus zen coins" in connection with the purchase of certain online products. When you purchase these specially marked products or make the purchase during a bonus zen coins time period, you will earn bonus zen coins on each product, as specified in the offer. Bonus zen coin promotions are subject to the terms and conditions of the offer and may be offered at any time in ZenART Supplies sole discretion. Bonus zen coin offers cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • Limitations on Bonus Zen Coins and Zen Coins, Generally. These terms apply to zen coins and bonus zen coins accruals. If you purchase a product during a promotion and the product comes with an additional, free product, zen coins will not be issued on the retail value of the free product. If you redeem zen coins towards the purchase of a product and pay a portion of the retail price after the zen coin's redemption, you will receive zen coins only on the leftover retail amount you pay, and not on any value attributed to the zen coin you used. If you redeem zen coins towards the purchase of a product in an amount equal to the full price of the product, you will not earn any zen coins.
  • Non-purchase Options for Earning Zen Coins. You may also earn additional zen coins on non-purchase activities. From time to time, ZenART Supplies may offer you the chance to win various prizes, and earn zen coins, for entering into promotions. For sweepstakes promotions, there is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO PLAY OR TO WIN. Rules and restrictions will apply to such promotions and may be found on the entry page of any promotion.
  • Referring a friend to ZenART Supplies. Email a friend an $8 off coupon on $50 order by clicking “ Earn Zen Coins” then “ Refer a Friend”. Enter the email address of a friend who has not purchased with ZenART Supplies before (if your referral has shopped with us before the referral link will be automatically voided by the system). A referral link will be sent to your friend with an $8 off coupon on a $50 order. $8 off coupon on $50 order will automatically be rewarded to your account only if the referral friend used the link sent to them from your referral account and makes a qualifying first-time purchase with ZenART Supplies. Your Referral friend will receive an $8 off coupon on $50 order, 200 zen coins for signing up, and zen coins from their first purchase made while signed into their new ZenART Supplies account.

3. REDEEMING ZEN COINS

  • How To Use Your Zen Coins. Zen Coins must be used in increments outlined in these Terms and Conditions. The maximum number of zen coins that may be used in a single transaction is 10,000 zen coins. Zen Coins may only be used Online at the ZenART Supplies website. Zen Coins towards Products: Members can use their zen coins to reduce the purchase price of a product or to receive a product for free based on the following scale:
    • 500 zen coins = $5.00 off
    • 1,000 zen coins = $10.00 off your at least $50 order
    • 1,500 zen coins = $15.00 off your at least $50 order
    • 2,500 zen coins = $25.00 off your at least $50 order

    Zen Coins can only be redeemed in any combination of the zen coin and increment amounts set forth above. Redemption of zen coins towards purchases of products is subject to product availability. Any rewards discounts that are applied to the order, will be distributed equally to the applicable items in the order when completing a return.

  • Gift cards. Once available, zen coins cannot be used towards the purchase of gift cards. Gift card redemption, however, is eligible for zen coins. Zen Coins accrued pursuant to the use of a gift card will benefit the gift card user, provided the user has an account in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
  • To Redeem your Zen Coins. Before you begin shopping with us, sign in to your Shop account on our site. Select “Redeem Zen Coins” from the red tab housed in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and select the amount of zen coins you would like to redeem. You will be issued a custom code that you can copy and paste into the discount bar during check out (Please note - only one code can be used). Your total payment amount will be discounted by the amount of zen coins you allocate to the purchase. Note that zen coins may only be redeemed for the purchase price of the product. Sales tax, shipping, and other handling charges assessed in addition to the price of the product are your responsibility and zen coins may not be used to discount these additional charges.
  • Exclusions. Only one account per natural person. Only one discount code can be redeemed per transaction. Rewards redemption codes may not be combined with any other discount codes. Zen Coins may not be transferred or gifted at this time. Zen Coins cannot be used on past purchases. Zen Coins accumulated on different accounts by different members may not be combined or aggregated to make purchases of products or for any other reason. Zen Coins earned in a transaction cannot be redeemed in the same transaction. Redeemed zen coins cannot be retroactively applied to any past order or receive a price adjustment on any order where redeemed zen coins were not applied. Zen Coins have no cash value outside of the ZenART Supplies website and are available only to members in good standing.
  • Zen Coins Expiration and Time Lapses. All zen coins acquired, whether standard zen coins or bonus zen coins, shall expire 180 days from the date the zen coins are added to your account. Zen Coins expire 180 days from the date in which they were assigned to your account. Specific onsite activities in which zen coins will be awarded are set to accrue zen coins based on a time-lapse at the discretion of ZenART Supplies.
    • Sign up: zen coins are added to your account instantly
    • Order: zen coins are added to your account when your order is placed.
  • Once zen coins are redeemed, a discount code will be assigned and we are unable to cancel the discount code and reapply the zen coins to your Reward & Referral account. Discount codes generated by redeeming zen coins do not expire until used. They are a one-time use code, so once it is used it is gone. If an order is returned zen coins will not be reinstated.

4. Subscribe & Save Plan

  • Re-occurring purchase. Purchase is necessary in order to participate in this plan. The plan is worth $6.95 and will be charged to your account on the same date of the month that you purchased the plan, i.e. if you purchased the plan on 19th of January, you will be charged for the plan on the 19th of each month you are a Subscribe & Save Plan member.
  • 15% re-occurring discount. As a member of the subscribe & Save Plan, you are eligible for a 15% discount every time you put an order in place. You are qualified for the discount as soon as you purchase the plan.
  • Cancellation. After a purchase made with a Subscribe & Save Plan, you are not able to get a refund for the plan for the month the purchase was valid for but you can cancel for the following months.
  • Free samples & accessories. These are included for members of Subscribe & Save Plan only. These are not included in each order but the member will be informed when they will receive "extras" in their order.
  • Access to exclusive content. Exclusive access to tutorials, guides, tips & tricks in video, pdf, or audio format will be part of the membership program. Not all exclusive content is available but what is and will be available is up to ZenART Supplies sole discretion.

5. GENERAL

  • By registering with Zenartsupplies.co and joining the Reward & Referral Program, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in these Terms and Conditions, as well as any other terms that may be associated with the Reward & Referral Program. ZenART Supplies reserves the right to cancel, modify, suspend or restrict the Reward & Referral Program, your account, the redemption of zen coins, or any aspect of the Program, including, without limitation, the zen coin conversion ratio and the zen coin expiration policy at any time. Any changes can be made without advance notice. ZenART Supplies may make these changes even though such changes may affect your ability to use zen coins already accumulated. You are responsible for remaining knowledgeable about the Program Terms and Conditions. A Member's zen coins balance, as reflected in ZenART Supplies records, shall be deemed correct. ZenART Supplies reserves the right to determine the amount of zen coins in any Member's account based on ZenART Supplies' internal records related to such Member's account. In the event of an inconsistency between the amount accrued in a Member's account as stated on any Member's receipt and ZenART Supplies internal records, ZenART Supplies internal records will control. ZenART Supplies assumes no responsibility for errors caused by incorrect Member information. Your right to transfer zen coins earned or granted under the Program is strictly limited. The sale of zen coins is prohibited and may result in the confiscation or cancellation of your zen coins as well as suspension or termination of your membership, which in each case shall be final and conclusive. All transactions involving zen coins and all Member accounts are subject to review and verification by ZenART Supplies. The zen coins balance in a Member's account may be unavailable for use when an account or transaction is under review. ZenART Supplies may revoke any Member's membership in the Reward & Referral Program at any time if such Member engages in abuse of the Reward & Referral Program or fails to follow the terms and conditions of the Program. Fraud or abuse relating to the accrual of zen coins or redemption of rewards may result in revocation of membership in the Program and may affect a Member's eligibility for participation in any other ZenART Supplies program, present or future. Zen Coins are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. The interpretation and application of the Program's Terms and Conditions are at the sole discretion and determination of ZenART Supplies. For more information or other questions, click on Contact Us.
  • The Terms and Conditions of the loyalty program are subject to change at ZenART Supplies’ sole discretion at any time and without notice to customers. Upon customer’s at-will termination of their Zenartsupplies.com registered account, or if a customer is termination for violation of these Terms and Conditions or other activities in violation of the intent and good faith intended use of this Site, all zen coins will immediately be forfeited and will no longer be redeemable. ZenART Supplies will make reasonable efforts to award zen coins as outlined above to all 1. registered and 2. qualifying Zenartsupplies.co customers but is not responsible for any technical or unforeseen errors that may occur.
  • Zen Coins are nontransferable, nonredeemable for cash, are nonrefundable and are not valid outside of Zenartsupplies.co. Purchases made outside Zenartsupplies.co are not valid for zen coin accrual (this includes, but is not limited to Facebook resell groups, Ebay, and Amazon).
  • Employees of ZenART Supplies are not eligible to participate in the Reward & Referral Program.