Spent a short while going through a page I put together of doodling and writing for well being.
There were far more examples of my writing than I remembered including to this dedicated page.
Must get those fountain pens and dip nib pens out again to provide some ideas and imagery for my music project.
If you are interested, you can access the page by tapping below in order to take a gander.
Gray Summers 
What a brilliant approach to wellbeing. I agree, capturing thoughts on paper … letting the pen flow … can be very cathartic. I loved looking back through your images. Some very insightful thoughts, but I also found myself drawn to the textures of some of the paper you were writing on.
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Thank you Brenda. I do love handmade papers. But really have to consider which to use. Tight and compact made paper can tolerate various inks. The higher fibre looseness can catch at nibs. Moleskine has very few papers with tolerance of wet ink and it spreads and seeps.
Also, it’s enjoyable to use different nib choices too. Means you truly have to focus on lettering and shape. Alongside ink flow too. Writing with wet ink? It’s a meditation exercise in many ways. Focus is key. Takes you away from the crazy world that can surrounds you at times. Akin to music, writing blogs, etc. We both live in a blessed alternative world to help us keep calm and focused Brenda. Cheers and all the best.
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You know I love it. I have returned to your pen artistry many times, Gray. And will again when I start using my new fountain pen and nibs.
I find deeper connections to myself and ask the same question as you, “Why all the limitations?” I am sooo drawn to the spirals. I see them everywhere!
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I replied to Steven on here Sheila. Regarding ‘You are not your mind’. How doodling expresses differently to applied concentrated thoughts. Spirals allow you to chase the unknowns and unlooked for. Freedom in expression I suppose. Cheers.
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Ah, yes, Gray. That was fascinating! It made me think of the Japanese tradition of ‘Forest bathing’ the walking in the woods stuff. And I thought of Automatic Writing in regards to the writing and allowing the subconscious to take control. Beautiful!
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There are mysteries that should not be mysteries Sheila. The Japanese have scientifically measured the body’s physically inherent response to effects/affects of what nature gives us. Pre and post signs to physical and mental changes. Vital signs (blood pressure, etc), blood tests (improved immunity cell building, etc), and more. Obviously, we feel our mental health well being is instantly changed by being outside. Well apart from having a fear of the great outdoors, have hay fever response, etc.
The act of writing for many has both conscious application and also unconscious results. Depends on your approach. I often wonder if poetry is best written when coming from our subconscious. Lyrics of songs, in certain delivered ways, too. Cheers Sheila.
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I love ALL of that, Gray. Thank you!
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Thank you. Also…..After your comment yesterday, I looked at links to poetry and the subconscious. This link sprang out as very interesting. Even mentioned Automatic Writing too.
https://www.timothy-green.org/poetry-and-the-subconscious/
Cheers Sheila.
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Ooh, I am saving this to read later tonight, Gray! As I already see, within the first few lines, it’s right up my alley! Ha! Thank YOU!
“the poems we want to reread and memorize and carry with us forever, are those that offer some kind of insight. They connect. They resonate.”
I am a deep Truths seeker, Gray. Bravo!
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Thought it may interest you. 😊
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I try to write and doodle for an hour every morning. I also doodle to work my brain to put down on paper exactly as I see it in my imagination. I find there a disconnect sometimes from what I am “seeing” and what I am putting down on paper, probably due to laziness trying to interfere.
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Hi Steven. Interestingly, myself and two other nurses presented a course to the community regarding a process to ‘activate your life’. Backed by the NHS too. One phrase that fascinated us was ‘you are not your mind’. It is worth a quick Google search with that simple sentence. Very interesting. You state laziness. But it is actually far different. You are challenging what your mind actually wants you to see.
That is why I love the freedom that exists in doodling and writing random thoughts. Because it is almost ad hoc in nature and the results surprise you. It is as if the subliminal has broken free.
Going back to what the NHS back for well being? Nature’s Fix. Being amongst nature for healing. Our doctor’s surgery are really promoting this therapy and organising group walking amongst the local forestry/woodland/trees, etc. You yourself are always walking and taking your camera. And amongst the trees too. So a positive win win situation.
Thank you, as ever, for your insightful (excuse the pun) comment Steven. Much appreciated.
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if Tim Burton had handwritten the Declaration of Independence, it may have looked like something out of your notebook. this is high praise, btw. awesome art all the way.
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Thank you cookie. High praise indeed. I am a massive Tim Burton fan. And yes, I actually cry at the end of Edward Scissorhands. Kim’s speech at the end. Each and every time. I so wish I had a ‘mind’s eye’ imagination to tap into for producing art. The act of doodling allows, for myself, a freedom of an undisciplined ‘let’s see where it all goes’. All the best cookie.
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