Full Circle

     If you read articles or bios about me you'll already know I have been doodling for years. Lines here, circles there, eyeballs and feathers... pure random craziness.
     About 6 years ago I decided I wanted to put my doodles on t-shirts. That little idea resulted in a high dollar direct to garment printer. Go big or go home, right? What I discovered during this adventure was I suck at marketing. Another thing I suck at is creating designs and being directed on how to do my artwork by others. I also discovered unless you are doing mega business your high dollar printer will keep clogging up and cost you even more money ruining t-shirts! Finally one day the printer had a major error message, I packed it up in the box, a VERY big box I might add, and said I'm done!
     If I have learned anything in my 55 years on earth it is when something is over, it's over. Don't waste energy crying about it and analyzing why it didn't work. On to the next adventure! Time is wasting. I probably only have another 45 years on earth, I need to get on with it. (Yes you read that right!)
     During this t-shirt adventure I was elbow deep in mixed media as well. Papers, paint, wood, metal... throw it together and a beautiful piece of art emerges. I put doodling on the shelf because in my mind it was a lesser form of art. "Seriously anyone can grab a piece of paper and a pen and do what I was doing." I thought.
     The next few years I created mixed media, sculptures with stuffed squirrels, and even a bit of stained glass. What I learned during this period was I love trying all kinds of mediums and mixing things that other people don't think belong together. I also discovered despite buying all the proper stained glass tools I find it way was too tedious and less forgiving. 
      I still doodled occasionally. By now I found out others called it Zentangle® inspired art. People online create all of these Zentangle® patterns. patterns. Well that enhanced my doodles just a bit. The problem was I still felt like it was a "lesser art form".  So continued working with paint and canvas because those are true artist tools. Keep in mind all this shit is in MY head, ok? No one is telling me these things.
     I have always wanted to publish a book. The trouble is I am not very wordy. I write like I talk, and I really could care less if I am seen as professional or educated. I am ME. What I lack in intelligence I make up for with cleverness.  So what in the world do I have to offer the world?
     Well peeps, I came up with the answer. I bought some new Micron pens, some nice Bristol paper, a drawing desk that I set in front of a flat screen tv next to a window … and I doodled my ass off. I doodled every spare moment. I lovingly scanned these doodles into my laptop after each was complete. This was making me happy. Doodles were NOT a lesser form of art. Especially when they are going to help others reduce their stress, slow down, and just BE in the moment.
     I taught myself to format a book (see how clever I am?) and Wanderlust the coloring book was born. I didn’t even take a break. I started right in on the next one.  I did decide that having a theme for the books was stifling my creativity. I love random. I embrace random. So after a month or so Random Doodles V1 was uploaded and available on Amazon alongside Wanderlust.
     Now here is where it gets crazy. Out of all of the funky art I have done (I have also learned to embrace the fact I am an artist and my work has value) these damn things are selling. I mean I am not on the best sellers list or anything, but women are snatching them up and asking when the next will come out. They are learning to let go, relax, just color and be in the moment. Coloring books? Doodling? Whodathunk?
 

  Moral of the story: When the Universe puts ideas in your head, opens doors and things flow freely, go with it! Get out of your own way. Don’t get hung up on the negative thoughts in your head. They are YOUR thoughts, not necessarily reality. And if you get bogged down by those negative thoughts and doubts that is exactly what you’ll attract. If you change your thinking, and put positive thoughts and confidence out there the Universe will say, “Hell, let’s reward her with some good shit now. She finally gets it!”
    

Grab a copy of Random Doodles V1

Click on the book below to go to Amazon. Use coupon code EFDQCJGR to receive $1.00 off. My thank you for reading my rambling thoughts today!