Doodles and Colors
"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."
Henry Ward Beecher
I would like to share my doodles that have unexpectedly and involuntarily become a very important part of this journey of self‐discovery. I am finding that patterns in my sketches are indicative of my own psychological, mental and emotional state. They provide me with clarity, understanding and ways to resolve and integrate the learning’s and findings through various experiences. Increasingly, the expression in these sketches is helping me get in touch with the unconscious parts of me that I don’t believe I have ever been able to connect with. Of course, they have spurted out on their own, but I have never gingerly and sensitively connected with them to help me through my inner journey.
Most of my doodles have been in the margins for the past one year, but since my BLHP in March 2009 my doodles have become an exercise by themselves. They often start on the left bottom and gradually move to the right and up. There is significant amount of repetition and the feeling that I am drawing petals, leaves and spirals.
Here are a few things I found on the internet about doodling:
Source: AnnaKoren.com
REPETITIVE SHAPES
Patience, perseverance, methodical, developed ability to concentrate. (Homogeneous writing, stable, constant, phlegmatic type ‐ LE SENNE.)
PLANTS, FLOWERPOTS, FLOWERS
Friendly, sociable (motifs used extensively by social workers), sensitive, humane, warm, open. (Choleric type ‐ LE SENNE.)
The spiral has symbolised the search for one’s spirit in all cultures : the Maoris of New Zealand, the aborigines of Australia, the Greeks, the natives of the Americas. The Kundalini Shakti is also symbolised by the spiral; as is the journey of the
“Pilgrim’s Progress”.
Source: http://www.whats‐your‐sign.com/spiral‐meaning.html
In terms of spirituality, the spiral symbol can represent the path leading from outer consciousness (materialism, external awareness, ego, outward perception) to the inner soul (enlightenment, unseen essence, nirvana, cosmic awareness). Movements between the inner (intuitive, intangible) world and the outer (matter, manifested) world are mapped by the spiraling of archetypal rings; marking the evolution of humankind on both an individual and collective scale.
Source: BBCh2g2
Doodles are expressions of the subconscious mind.
Doodles, like dreams, involve a form of picture language, and it is the interpretation of these pictures that reveal their meanings. There are several factors to be taken into account though, besides the doodle itself.
The size and position of the doodle on the page also have a meaning which contributes to the overall meaning of the doodle. For example, if you were to draw a very large doodle in the centre of the page, then this would indicate how important you would like your role in life to be. However, if you doodle in the margin or corners of a page, you would be revealed as a quiet individual. One who doesn't necessarily want to stand out in a crowd.
The starting point of a doodle can also be relevant.
Those starting on the left and working to the right, are said to be highly significant to the workings of the subconscious. Those that start to the right and work towards the left are more based on logic.
Doodles which are started at the bottom of a page and develop upwards are the signs of an ambitious personality. More introverted people, will tend to start their doodle in the centre of a piece of paper, work outwards, and then move inwards again.
The intensity of the ink/pencil marks can also indicate the mood of the person. Lighter strokes indicating a good day, but dark, heavy strokes can sometimes signal depression.
Finally, what is probably the most important part of analysing a doodle, is what the doodle is of:
Flowers: Most flowers are doodled by women, and are romantic in nature. Indicating a desire to blossom and be fruitful in life.
Intricate Patterns: Very detailed doodles are often drawn by people who have an obsessive nature, and who simply will not let go of their ambitions or loved ones. They are also likely to be jottings of highly introverted people.
Mazes: An intricate maze suggests that you feel that you're in a tight spot. Alternatively, it could be a sign of the need for protection from a threatening element in your life.
Interpreting meaning from doodles in BLHP
1. The doodle below started from the top, moved to the left and then slowly moved to bottom right. This larger doodle progressed slowly and gradually during the 5 days of BLHP ‐ I notice that the patterns are repetitive, dense and intricate. I had a need to keep filling the space with these spirals and patterns. There was seemingly a lot of logical and linear thinking going on during the lab that got captured in this doodle.
2. I then drew 2 weeks after I returned – I notice a lot more space and there was less of a need to fill every space that I could find. I felt comfortable with leaving more spaces in my sketches.
3. I drew 3 another few days after 2 – This is close to 2 in form and denseness. It’s a lot more complete in form and has the classic mango motif.
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This doodle bursts into colors and a wave of joy and form – colors and curls break out. It moved slowly from a line to the right eventually bursting like fire into these colors.
“If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to “this” tree, pull yourself up by roots and plant yourself in the “sea” and It would obey you” Bible
Deep Roots
Becoming Whole – Interpreting Doodles from ALHP
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
Writings and sketches from Inspirations
P ETALS
Petals Petals You hold such beauty within If I touch you carelessly, I may ruin all that begins How delicately can I make a start I seem to make such blunders every time you pass It seems so difficult every time I pluck you Perhaps the secret is in to never possess you But I get seduced and cheated by your looks Drawn in Wanting you, desiring you, holding you within I pray that one day I will learn To be free from being the dancer, so I can watch in ecstasy The moves, the twirls and the whirls, the kiss and the tell Just so your delicateness remains yours and the strength mine Together we will dance All night long In the glory of my Lord In the glory of my Lord
DEMON OF FEAR – THE SECRET TO LOVE You are a demon that walks tall Overshadowing even the sun that shines like a ball You come by surprise Sneakily rising your ugly head at times I would hide in your shadow so large Daunted by your pain in my heart Your friends are seductive ever bit Cutting many a slit You have far too often played this game Creating rules as and when you please But I laugh this time Chucking shyly Staring your hundred faced head in its bold eyes Shall we play this game again, I ask Don't you try trick me with another new mask Your tricks are getting old They hardly make me go cold I have music in my heart A Godly song on my lips MY defenselessness is my sharpest weapon Your shadow can hardly me threaten I choose not to engage With these eyes I will disengage My heart's bigger than than your grip I refuse to go again on the same trip Fear is just the shadow of love The face that lurks when I fail to serve
AMBIGUITY AND SPACES
Leaving it open Keeping space Holding ambiguity Maintaining continuity To overcome my wall To climb high and tall Above my limitations I want to build on this relation Say what I have to say Its alright to risk, for a chance to build But I need to listen Listen very hard Listen to the voice within Listen to the words without Stop filling spaces Leave them clean and open Red and purple Orange and green Colors on the periphery Let them hold the ambiguity Keep the spaces clean Keep the spaces colorless They are the colors of our lives But keep them in the margins Relations and spaces Margins and colors Leaves in the center Petals of colors will enter Uncertainty is the secret glue to my relations If I understand it, I will piece it all together
COLORS AND CURLS Colors and curls They open me and hurl They are from spaces that seem forbidden I want to empty all that I have hidden I delight in their dance I can't help but catch many a glance They are an object of my fascination I have to hold back my elation Colors and curls They open me and hurl