I am a compulsive doodler. I admit it, and I think it's a healthy compulsion. So today on I somehow found this wonderful video, talking about the value of doodling:TED talk: Doodlers, unite!
OK, so I can't seem to get the image for the video to post here, but trust me, it's worth it to click on the link and watch it. It will only take a few minutes of your day.
Here is a definition for doodling proposed in the video: "to make spontaneous marks to help yourself think". I like it!
I found it on this interesting page I got to through somebody's pin on Pinterest: Doodle Lab. I definitely will go back there and explore some more. I'm not really sure what it is all a part of, but the page contains links to all sorts of provocative articles on doodling that confirm what I've been trying to tell people for years: If I am doodling when in a meeting or at a lecture (I basically am always doodling at these times) it does NOT mean I'm not paying attention. It does the opposite - it helps me focus. Without a pen and paper to doodle with, I guarantee my mind would be wandering elsewhere.
As a matter of fact, I posted some thoughts about doodling here as part of a rant about Zentangles. (If you go read this now, please enjoy my doodles and my thoughts but don't get too upset about my Zentangle opinions. It's just that: an opinion. You are free to call your doodles whatever you like. I happen to like the SHAPE of the word doodle, so I wouldn't call it anything else. As a matter of fact, I have doodled the word doodle many times. Weird, I know....)
Anyhow, here are some 5th grade student doodles-in-progress. They work on them when they are listening, or when they have a few minutes to kill.
Your doodling is awesome! My grad class actually has a part in the handbook about doodling and why it's okay to doodle at some points during the 8 hour class. . . gotta love that:) I make myself doodle in order to relax and stop worrying about everything that I need to do sometimes, but sometimes is not often often enough!
ReplyDelete@ Painting With Brains, if you happen to be reading this - I cannot get into your blog. When I try, it says:
ReplyDelete"This blog is open to invited readers only
http://paintingwithbrains.blogspot.com/
It doesn't look like you have been invited to read this blog. If you think this is a mistake, you might want to contact the blog author and request an invitation."
What's the deal? If you are reading this, you know I am a HUGE fan of your blog and will miss not being able to read it if I can not longer get in. I can't "contact the blog owner" as it says above, because the blog has me shut out and your profile does not have an email address for contact. Pooh. Help?
Phyl, I tried to log onto painting with brains also and was told i was not invited also. Your not the only one! :)
DeleteI am so glad you shared this! I am also a Doodle advocate! I teach Art to incarcerated youth and use Zendoodling, zentangle, doodlewhateva, with them all the time. My students have so much stress, fears and anxiety in their lives, it really helps them clear the clutter from their minds, focus and relax! (on top of teaching great line, design and texture skills!) Can't wait to watch the TED video - LOVE TED!!! Doodle on! Doodle On!
ReplyDeleteWe were thinking the same thing this week. We used doodles (I know you hate Zentangles:)) on our most recent project. Love the method and love teaching it to my students!
ReplyDeletehttp://minimatisse.blogspot.com/2012/04/negative-spacetangles.html
Nic Hahn
I can't get into Painting with Brains either!!! What's up with that? So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI know. How can we tell her, if we can't get into her blog to comment to tell her? (Huh?) Frustrates me because she has become a favorite read for me - she keeps me laughing.
DeleteLoved reading your post. Doodling helps me focus my mind and have new ideas. It's very relaxing.
ReplyDelete