Once in a while I pick up another media. I don’t delve into it like I normally do with something that I’m going to incorporate into my business but I do it more to get ideas out of my head that have been kicking around and driving me crazy. I often find myself going back to something I started to explore while in college. Things where it was all about process and how it felt to do it rather than the finished product.
For example, I took a trip back to coiled baskets. It’s a technique I worked with while pursuing a textile design degree. I work on these kinds of things when the kids are on vacation and I can’t get into the studio to torch. These mini baskets were/are easy to tote along and require very few supplies or tools.
Recently I’ve gone back to doodling. Artistic doodling. I have memories of being in my college dorm room hanging out with friends and just doodling on paper with ballpoint pen. I even did one for a printmaking class…I think I still have it somewhere and I’ll have to dig it out. Here is the first current one I’ve started, but it is reminiscent of those days:
These are standard 8-1/2″ x 11″ and done with Sharpies. I’ve been known to have a little obsession with Sharpie markers. Who says art can’t be done with them?
Here’s the second:
I’ve also been known to be obsessed with dots. Is it any wonder that glass beads are my medium of choice these days? The dot is the basic design element in a lot of glass bead designs.
And here is one I just started:
Doing these really allows my mind to wander while my hands distract the brain. It also has reminded me of the art therapy and hypnotherapy training I’ve taken and has planted the seed that is growing in me of getting back into doing that or holding art therapy/creativity workshops. So, as I’m doing these I’m trying to open up more and using the process to clean out my brain. That might sound a little strange but if you know how to use it, it can be really powerful and liberating.
I recently joined a facebook group that has to do with color exploration. I haven’t looked too much into it but this weeks challenge was to work in blues. I think it’s directed towards bead and jewelry makers but I can’t do that for the next couple weeks so I’m going to explore it with my Sharpies. And look what I just got:
I almost panicked a little bit when I saw “Limited Edition” up in the corner thinking, I better get more than one! But I didn’t. How could they not make more of these? I’m in Sharpie heaven. I’ll show you what I come up with!
Lori Greenberg blogs about beads and the business of beads from her studio in Cave Creek, Arizona. You can see more of her beads at her web site: www.lorigreenberg.com
Erin Prais-Hintz says:
I love the doodles! Oodles of doodles! I too have an attachment to sharpies…our household calendar is color coded. You should have seen how ballistic I went when I thought the magenta one signifying my daughter Tiny Dancer went missing! I was paralyzed to complete the calendar with another color. Crisis averted! It was unearthed under a pile…
Those doodles remind me of strands of pearls. I can see that working in a finished jewelry design. Perhaps I can borrow your doodle and see what I can make from it? THat might make for an interesting exchange…send your doodles out to some artist friends and see what that inspires them to create.
What fun!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
May 27th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
mallory says:
Great doodles! That is fun!
May 27th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Louise says:
OOOh! I WANT that Sharpie set!!! It’s like a brand new writing pad – bursting with possibilities. Doodling’s fun, and Erin what a good idea for an exchange!
May 28th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Dana Summers says:
I love the coiled basket! I took a class at a local quilters shop to learn and make one myself. Your doodles are frame worthy. As for the sharpies, I am not really sure what it is but I love them too. I recently bought two packages from the local staples. One was brights and the other just the normal ones.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:40 am
lorigreenberg says:
I need to perfect the background for the doodles. I’m thinking of doing some watercolor washes and then doodling on that. The white is so stark.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Doodling gone mad. says:
[...] recently wrote on Watch Me Create about some doodles I’ve been doing. This is the first week that the kids have been out of school and we went up to Sedona for the [...]
May 31st, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Creating a portable show display for long distance shows. says:
[...] then painted a border around the edges for a little definition. My plan was to use my beloved Sharpie to draw outlines (where my trays normally would be) but when I started placing the beads for [...]
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Watch Me Create » Continuing to follow my whims… says:
[...] darn good. I’ve continued on with my color studies and passion for documenting it and with my Sharpie doodles as [...]
June 18th, 2009 at 7:14 am
darleenmb says:
Well I just found that set at WallyWorld for under $13. It’s sitting on my desk BEGGING to be played with but by golly today I am MAKING BEADS!
June 19th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
SharpieFest says:
[...] you been seeing all the cool Sharpie promotions on tv? This is really strange. I started my doodle series with Sharpie markers before I knew this was coming. Now, seeing their cool blog and commercials [...]
July 15th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Lori Anderson says:
When I saw these in the store I had to resist!
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm