I have doodled for as long as I can remember. In school books, on newspapers and any scrap of paper available. During lock down and the discovery of Zoom, I took it to a new level and created a dedicated A3 sketchbook especially for my ‘Zoodles’.
Many people think that doodling is something you do when you are daydreaming but I have discovered that studies have been done to suggest that doodling can be something that helps memory and concentration and that doodling occupies a space somewhere between awareness and daydreaming. (Professor Jackie Andrade, University of Plymouth) I certainly found that I could sit and concentrate much better if I was letting my black sharpie pen do its thing.
There is actually a TED talk where Sunni Brown explains how doodling can improve problem solving and is a form of meditation and mindfulness. Doodles also have their own National Doodle Day in September created by Epilepsy Action.
Looking at my doodles, I note that no two are ever the same. Maybe the doodles done whilst listening to conversation are not as free as when listening to music where I literally let my pen dance to the music on the radio. No initial sketch, just seeing where the line decided to wiggle, repeat and flow. Sometimes the lyrics influence the motif but most of the time the patterns are abstract but very connected, partying with the rhythm.
Sue Marsden Art Studio 