Wendy Doodles {wendoodles?}

[Wendy]

Hello!

Interestingly, I ordered the zentangle kit a few days BEFORE seeing this group. Isn't fate amazing....the doodle-gods must be watching overhead. It just arrived yesterday! I did one in the square size but then I couldn't sleep so I just went off and did my own in my favorite sketchbook.

So...this will be a learning experience. Although doodling is supposed to be fun and relaxing, I'm already finding my "issues" rising immediately to the surface, lol! I'm really hoping that through this practice I will be able to identify and let go of some beliefs that are holding me back.

What came up for me? Yikes - so hard to seek them (write them) aloud. First, I noticed that I'm very concerned about doing things "right" about following "shoulds" and "rules" that are surely in my head. Also, having done a Google search on other's zen tangles/doodles, I have become quite overwhelmed. So many gorgeous designs out there!!! Why and how could I ever contribute anything to this phenomenon!?!

Goodness - I am chock full o' art issues! Nonetheless, I tried my own...and here it is! Hopefully, my skills and my attitude will develop along this insecure journey.

[Jules]

Welcome to the doodle group Wendy!!...you are off to a wederful start! (we take liberties with words here at the doodle group) This is incredible! I hope that you continue to share your wendoodles with us!

As for you ordering a zentangle kit just before finding this group , I would not call that fate, personally- I would put that into the awesomeness of synchronicity which is a thing I experience all the time with CCS members.

I have never followed the rules of the true zentangle. Some of the pattern I have seen are awesome- but I know my psyche would rebel if there were rules to follow while doodling.

When I started my progression of doodles...I was afraid to post them...I did not really like any of them- my inner critic was loudly pointing out their inadequacies- showing me they did not stand up to the other doodles that I had seen. So I can relate to some of the issues you are speaking about.

I began in the 30 days of creating so that I would do at least one a day- this is a practice that I still have- I do at least one doodle a day. It will warm me up for a painting, or put me in a quiet frame of mind if there is turbulence around me.

As I continued to doodle, and continued to post in spite of my inner critic and got feedback from folks in this doodle group I had a shift- not that I felt, or saw- but because I was able to get past the critic and show my doodles I was able to post my paintings (my inner critic had been dissing them as well)

I noticed when I stop posting doodles for a while I am once again reluctant to let the world see the rest of my art. I do not understand it, but I will go with it...which reminds me I have some doodles to scan because I am slacking in my posting.

Yeah...keep doodling. A doodle a day keeps the inner critic at bay

[Wendy]

Synchronicity! Yes...that is exactly what I meant to say...thanks for explaining it all so beautifully! I also appreciate hearing about your doodling process. I admire your ability to press onward despite your inner critic - that's very hard sometimes. Know what? I just tried what you said about doodling as a warm up". I often come home from work feeling stressed and brain-fried. Last night I tried doodling as a transition period and...it worked!

>>A doodle a day keeps the inner critic at bay<<

Love that. I think you must be right. I don't think I'll commit to a daily doodle just yet, but, I already know that doodling will help me a great deal in creating in freedom - intuitively. I so need that.

I need to check out your doodles...yippee!

[Heidi]

Hi Wendy,
your zentangle/wendoodle is beautiful! A big cornucopia full of organic "stuff" wanting to come out!
I had issues about doing things "right" in my zendoodles at first. It took a while to get comfortable with such total freedom. If it works for you to do zentangles by the rules first and then branch out later in your own style, I´d say just go with that. Whatever gets you going.

[Wendy]

Hi Heidi,

>>A big cornucopia full of organic "stuff" wanting to come out!<<

Love that description...it's really making me smile. Funny, that's how I felt when doing it, too. Like you, I think it will also take me some time to "get comfortable with such total freedom." If I learn to do it with doodling, I may be able to take that approach in other areas of my life....both artsy and everyday. :)

[Heidi]

Yes, exactly!
I used to be so uptight about my drawings (and probably other things in life as well). Slaved away with pencil and eraser until things were perfect, and only then used a pen to trace the perfect image.

In my doodles, pencils and erasers are banned, I just have one chance with the pen. Whatever mistakes happen, I find a way to make them work. Doodling is like cultivating happy accidents.

Like Jules I think doodling is a great way to bypass the inner critic/perfectionism.

[Joanna]

Yeah, Heidi. I like that definition of doodling- where pencils and erasers are banned. I have found also that trying to doodle something a day,keeps that inner critic away, even if it's not what I would consider finished.

[Michelle]

This is fantastic!! I love it! And your first one, omg you certainly have a talent for this!

[Wendy]

Thanks so much, Michelle! :)

[Joanna]

Really cool, Wendy