NORTHBRIDGE — One pen, a 3-1/2-inch square of paper and 15 minutes is all anyone needs to create a work of art and transform their state of mind.

That is the driving concept behind Zentangle, a meditative art form created by local artists Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, which allows anyone to tap into their inner artist one stroke at a time.

“The concept we teach is a really simple, formalized set of instructions for pattern drawing,” said Mr. Roberts. “It’s putting pen back to paper in a time when your eyes are on a computer screen, your hands are on a mouse or keyboard.”

Ms. Thomas said their clientele includes actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, media mogul Ted Turner and French jeweler Cartier. She and Mr. Roberts developed the Zentangle concept four years ago. Ms. Thomas was intently drawing the background patterns for a commissioned piece when Mr. Roberts came upon her. As she emerged from her drawing, she explained to Mr. Roberts that she felt as if she had just emerged from meditation. The couple soon realized that the drawing of simple patterns was not only an art form that could be enjoyed by anyone, but it also had other therapeutic benefits.

Once they realized the meditative qualities of the pattern drawing, Ms. Thomas and Mr. Roberts developed what has become known as Zentangle, as well as a complete Zentangle vocabulary. They later toured galleries all over the world, including the Musée du Louvre, studying easily recognizable patterns.

Zentangles deconstruct what may appear complex, at first blush, breaking it down into the simplest form — one stroke.

“You can do anything one stroke at a time,” said Mr. Roberts.

A Zentangle starts with a pencil line, called string. A series of deliberate strokes creating a pattern, called tangles, fill in the different sections of the string, said Mr. Roberts. Simply stated, Zentangles have made doodles an art form.

“The string decides where you put your pattern,” said Mr. Roberts. “It’s that elegance of limits that inspires you to figure out what to do.”

“It’s so easy to do. A lot of people are convinced they are not an artist,” said Ms. Thomas. “But when you are done, it’s spectacular.”

Zentangles are drawn on a 3-1/2-inch square, and after a 15-minute Zentangle meditation, the artist is left with not only a clear mind, but a piece of art.

“People who can’t sleep have been doing this before they go to bed, and they say it is like a sleeping pill,” said Ms. Thomas, adding that other people have told her it helps them with fears of flying or going to the dentist.

She and Mr. Roberts have begun teaching the art of Zentangle. It has been used at corporate meetings, at high schools as a tool for conflict resolution, and by artists as a focusing exercise.

The instructional DVD uses no words, a deliberate choice to underscore the fact that the Zentangle is a universal language that can be understood across dialects and even by those who cannot hear, Ms. Thomas said, adding that some people are also using the Zentangle coaster-sized squares as trading cards.

The couple never advertised what they created, but its popularity soon spread after its introduction at the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting.

“When we did this first class, we were nervous. We weren’t sure how it was going to be perceived,” said Mr. Roberts. “We were teaching something that seemed very simplistic to lettering artists that were tops in their field. From their perspective, this was like yoga or calisthenics for their work.”

Ms. Thomas and Mr. Roberts have since taught Zentangle to a Mensa-affiliated organization of inventors and most recently held two Zentangle workshops at Alternatives Unlimited for local residents. At the end of group workshops, the participants are urged to place their tiles in a square, creating a mosaic.

In February, they will hold a training conference for people who want to train others in the art of Zentangle. Among those enrolled in the training conference is a woman from Belgium who uses Zentangle with autistic children. Zentangle clubs have formed in Hong Kong, Ms. Thomas said.

“We continue to be amazed at the applications,” said Mr. Roberts. “We feel like we had a kid, and it is learning things we never expected and going places that were never imagined.”

Zentangle is being exhibited through Nov. 30 at The Heritage Gallery at Alternatives Unlimited, 50 Douglas Road. The gallery is in the administration building and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and by appointment on weekends.