Doodling Habit

Kathryn J. Raths, LLC photo

I love to doodle, so when I took my Expressive Art Classes last year and stumbled on this validating research stating that doodling is a positive activity in our lives, it gifted me joy. If you are a business person like me, consider attending a meeting where the presenter passes out his or her written material before the meeting starts and then encourages the attendees to doodle their way through the material while present. I know, for sure, that I would be much more enticed to stay awake, and, according to the research, I would actually retain more of the presented material by doodling.

It warms my heart whenever I see someone working the margins of their paper. I highly encourage doodling, and I love to look at the individual’s work of art once the meeting or session is finished. What does it say? Is it modern art, a border, mini-drawings, or word art? Does it look balanced, or is it lop-sided? Does it feel like it’s floating, or is it heavy?

All of these questions really do tie into the emotional expression of the artist, which is part of any kind of art we create. Creation is a way to process and express.

It is definitely something that I will keep in my life-learning tool bag.

Are you a doodler? Leave me a note or share some of your doodles with me. I would love to see them!

A mandala, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC drawing

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Examiner article

I was introduced to the mandala in my Expressive Art Therapy Trauma classes when I was in a program obtaining my Professional Certificate 1. The mandala creation exercise can be as basic or complex as you wish; much depends on how much time and focus you are willing to devote. I included a video in the article of a sand mandala created by monks; it is extremely impressive. If you search Google Images for the word mandala, you’ll find some breath-taking creations. I also looked at many YouTube videos that offer a “fast forward” view of people capturing their creation process. You can learn many tricks and/or shortcuts to utilize if you are going to create your own.

In all of the cultures I read about, the mandala represents some aspect of spirituality. If you follow my column you know that I believe creation in any form is spiritual but it is amazing to me to read about all of the cultures that acknowledge the spiritual power of a mandala.

If you do create your own, I would love to see your creation. My first was quite simple (shown above) although, I have stepped my complexity up since then; regardless, it’s worthwhile to try if you haven’t drawn one yet.

Keep me posted on your progress, I’m curious how it’s going.  

Your imagination, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC drawing

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Examiner article

I’m grateful for my imagination. As a child it enabled me to cope through much hardship and as an adult it has helped me solve many dilemmas that, someone not so creative, may not have figured out. I credit my compassion, my leadership success and my passion in life to my creativity, which mixed with a little heart, intellect and spirit, manifests through my imagination.

What I love about the book, Where the Sidewalk Ends, is that the author takes you to places unimaginable and his drawings compliment this creative journey nicely. It really does speak to the inner child when you connect to this wild but fun poetry!

What is the silliest thing you’ve done or written that is reflective of your inner child? For example, I like to still make snow angels after a good winter storm here in Michigan. Leave me a note about something you do to keep this inner child alive; share!

Psychology and color, continued...

Artist, Tracey Carr painting

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Examiner article:

I love the colors in my life. The brilliance of the water reflecting from my pool, the deep colors of vegetables growing in my garden, and the beautiful sunsets all, among many more in combination, help pick me up. Color does have a psychological impact and, because of this, you can utilize this medium as a support. You do not have to call yourself an artist to do this. This is just good old natural appreciation!

Here are more color meanings as communicated by Empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com.

“…the color red one day,…may indicate ready to take action, or passion…, or it may mean feeling[s of] angry that day, on either a conscious or subconscious level.

The color psychology of pink is unconditional love and nurturing. Pink can also be immature, silly and girlish.

In the meaning of colors, magenta is a color of universal harmony and emotional balance. It is spiritual yet practical, encouraging common sense and a balanced outlook on life.

The color brown is a serious, down-to-earth color that relates to security, protection and material wealth.

From a color psychology perspective, gray is the color of compromise - being neither black nor white, it is the transition between two non-colors.

The color silver has a feminine energy; it is related to the moon and the ebb and flow of the tides - it is fluid, emotional, sensitive and mysterious.

Gold is the color of success, achievement and triumph. Associated with abundance and prosperity, luxury and quality, prestige and sophistication, value and elegance, the color psychology of gold implies affluence, material wealth and extravagance.


White is color at its most complete and pure, the color of perfection. The color meaning of white is purity, innocence, wholeness and completion.

Black is the color of the hidden, the secretive and the unknown, creating an air of mystery. It keeps things bottled up inside, hidden from the world.”

What are your thoughts about color? Does it rock your world or could you care less about its impact? Leave me a note, I’m curious!

All Things Healing Article

Take a look at my article that posted on All Things Healing today!

Everything feeds the spirit with inspiration, continued...

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Examiner article

I was extremely fortunate to have my booth next to Kath in last month's Ann Arbor Women Artist show. It didn't take long to discover this very creative, warm hearted person working next to me. I'm intrigued with her print making ability. The beautiful colors and shapes she creates clearly are reflective of her passion and spirit. They caught the eye of many who were passing by.

If you're interested in viewing the work of Kath Frajbis, click here.

The above is a photo of one of her pieces which she provided!

Are you creative? What is reflective of your spirit? Leave me a note to describe!

Miracles, feel this sensation of awe, continued...

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Examiner article

I posted a picture with this article of an oil pastel drawing I did in the past. It is of a little boy running in his yard. To me, it feels full of life. I noted that bringing life to a blank sheet of paper is a miracle to me. I so believe this. It is a heavenly inspiration that comes into me and enables anything that resembles the actual photo to come to life. There is no way I could do this on my own! I feel like I go into this coma type state that blocks everything out when I'm working on a piece of art. It is very serene and peaceful for me! I get to participate in these heavenly drawings and writings on a daily basis, pretty cool, huh?

Tell me about your miracles. I would love to share them with my readers. They make for such inspirational and empowering stories. Help me spread the faith!

Healing through art, continued

Click the below link to my Examiner article for background information to this blog entry:

Examiner article

The whole concept of this article is based on my experience from writing my book. It was a journey I really had to go through to feel healthy again. I feel like it memorialized my Dad and many of the loved ones I have lost during my life. Besides the memories I will always have, they are now existing in a published form for anyone in the world to view. It has been a really tear jerking but necessary process that I'm grateful for. Do you have any similar experiences you would like to share?