Critical Doodling

Another Taming the Critic post ... 

I don't know about you but December is a busy time of year round these parts. There are last minute deadlines and much distraction in the Red & Green form. Journaling gets a bit neglected.

So here's an idea. Pull out your colored pens and your notebook or journal and leave them out (high up, if necessary) and doodle when you have a spare 10 minutes.

{By the way ... there are loads of books on doodling and Zentangling as it is all the rage. There is no right or wrong with doodling: just take your pen for a walk. Just watch any 9 year old.

We're way past the notion that your journal pages need to be beautiful and accomplished and Art, right? Ha. Anyway, here's a beautiful gift to give yourself: doodle and don't care. I had an interesting conversation with myself last night:

M(e): I want to stitch on felt.

C(ritic): You have too many other things to do.

M: I wanna make some felt ornaments

C: How about those 3 artworks you need to finish before the end of the year and the afghan you are making? How about THAT?!

M: You know what Mr. C? Just don't ask. I'm not interested.

J(the husband): What are you doing now?

M: making felt ornaments

J: Cool. 

Have you had similar conversations with your critic? I'd love to hear them.

So yeah! ... make some felt ornaments or doodle or get out a bunch of stickers and stick 'em in your journal or paper scraps and make a bunch of tags in your journal. Keep it small, keep it do-able. Give yourself a gift. XO Diana

Comments

[Hazel Price]

Hi Diana

My critic had a go at me this morning when I missed my theatre workshop to go for a solitary walk and simply drink up the cold, but beautifully sunny winter morning.

Sometimes we've just got to "be me" and give the "oughts" a wide berth.

P.S. Hope you are feeling much better now. x

[Diana Trout]

Ahh! Thats the ticket, Hazel. This is exactly what Im talking about. Go on a whim when possible. And yes, the back is much better; still have problems with the ankle but that is bearable :) xo

[Jeanine]

Hi Diana,

My critic has been at me a lot lately. I started a story. Just for fun. Just for me not because I want to be the next great writer. My critic love to tell me how silly this is. How dumb the story is. My critic also loves perfection and is the reason I haven't had my Doodle book out in a while. It tells me how bad my zentangles are and suggests I don't do this. I think I needed this little chat. Now I am going to get out my book and doodle. I don't care what Ms C has to say.

[Wendy]

Cool, very cool . . . just do what you wnat when you want and tell the icey IC to bug off! And you know that felt ornaments are much more important. Now, off to work - end of the school year chaos, moving offices chaos - but finish in a couple of days and then 6 weeks holiday!!! YES! YES! YES!!!!

I'm just a tad excited . . . can you tell?

[zinnia patch]

Hi Diana, perfect timing for this post!!!! boy have i been overwhelmed lately and when i get like that i just freeze and don't get anything done....and i've been so short changing myself with my morning pages and art journaling, that i've been feeling guilty and i just had to laugh about your conversation with your critic....my goodness it sounds like the one i've been having with mine..lol
and i did just tell her to "shut up" the other day and made the cutest little banner and make a little stiffened doily bowl...fun isn't it? when we get our way..lol enjoy your day and let's take a deep breath!!!!! p.s. going to doodle

[Aloquin]

Thanks, Diana :) You keep it real and I love that. No... I myself am not past that my journal doesn't have to be awesome art, but I'm getting there. Some pages I work diligently on, and some I just chill and play with. And I carry a cool roll of graffiti-illustrated duct tape around with me, to tape my critic's mouth shut ;)

[cynthia]

Thanks, Diana. Those see saw conversations are really tiring aren't they? However, my side is winning more often and I'm actually playing more in my studio even if it is 15 minutes at a time. Arting is getting done and I'm happy. Yay! to all of us here and to you and your felt ornaments. Happy Holidays.