Art Gallery

One of the most interesting aspects of creating the Joy Coach character is that she gives me the opportunity to explore what I’m feeling and thinking in a joyful way. That said, this series of current works, “The Daily Doodles,” is a testament to using art as a meditative tool when working with personal habits or characteristics that sometimes block the flow of creative energy. Here I’m exploring the freedom of expression with line, shape, and color, that comes when I let go of my inner critic, the Judge. Perhaps this is a fundamental message from modern art.

One of my stumbling blocks as an artist is the judge, the critical self who resides in my head and passes judgment. The “Judge” gives verdicts on works during the creative process, as well as when a work is completed. Many times, that judgment has resulted in my abandoning my work in despair.  In everyday life, that judge can be a stumbling block, too.  In 2021 when I was creating the “Mandalas of the Witnessing Eye,” that internal judge began to fade.  Ms. Joy Coach emerged from that process, literally and figuratively. I learned that I absolutely loved to design and paint the mandalas no matter what the subject matter was.  In some, the subjects are grim.  But the process of working with strong colors, circles and shapes felt joyous. I believe it was, and continues to be healing.

Unlike the detailed, representational work in the 2021 Mandalas of the Witnessing Eye, the images I am creating now are loose and abstract.  Certainly, the doodle process I use to create them feels freeing.  The lines and shapes seem to dance, and the colors feel strong and wild. Creating these doodle abstracts has allowed me to let go of my need to attach a story or meaning to what arises on the page or canvas. Of course, I could create stories or interpretations of the energy within them if I want to.  But I don’t.  I use these as little mind-freeing periods of meditation.  Line, shape, and color can be absorbing. It empties my mind of words and worries.  And the beauty of doodling is that it can be done by anyone.  You don’t have to be “trained” to do it.  Chapter Six in the Joy Coach series is about my process of “doodling” and the importance of it.

I invite you to allow yourself to sink into the dance of line, shape, and color in this series.  I also invite you to look at your “doodles” with new appreciation for the energy of personal expression which flows through you.