Tonia Davenport

Daily Doodles: A Different Way to Journal

In the summer of last year, July 2009, I decided to take some steps to alter my life path. This would seem like the perfect time to begin a journal or art journal, yes? As much as I have admired the process of art journaling that I see others do, it has just never been able to become an outlet for me. But I needed to do something as I had too many thoughts and feelings that were simultaneously having a frat party and a war battle inside my head, and they needed to be heard. (Outside of my head.) I had heard of doodling exercises before where someone had taken a typical wall calendar and created a little doodle inside of the box for each day, to mark the day. Then I came across a doodle app for my phone and something clicked. This I could do. Every day. As a reflection of how I was feeling on that day. I liked that I had little control over too much detail (unlike an actual piece of paper, using pens and paint and brushes) since I could only use my finger and that I had little space to work in. I also decided to keep it to black, red and white. These seemed to easily reflect my core emotions. As someone who likes to distill things to their important essence, this practice seemed perfect and I made a commitment to do at least one (some days I do two) doodle a day for a year. To keep myself accountable, I decided to post them on my Facebook profile. Nine months later, I'm still with it, and while I haven't always felt like doing it every day, I have. Every day. (Even though I sometimes wait a day or two before actually posting the pics). And I think it's been therapeutic to have this outlet as I search, grow and explore this new path I'm on--letting go of the past and not having too much of clear picture of the future. The slide show here is a sampling for you to see what I'm talking about. If you've struggled with committing to a daily practice before, maybe you should give something like this a try. It's fascinating to look at the hundreds of doodles you'll accumulate as a group. Little doodles, big impact.

You Make History!

Do you have any idea how much effect you have on the universe every second that you are alive? The actions you take every single day (inaction counts as "action") have more impact than you may realize. And you don't even need to make an effort necessarily, for this to happen. Things will forever be altered by what you do or don't do in this moment. It's true. I think you know what I'm talking about and if you can do this without even trying, imagine the great impact you can have just by trying a little bit (not answering cynically to someone who asks you a question, following up on an urge to e-mail someone [it's no accident you received that urge--they need to hear from you], choosing the less-popular stand on something, texting someone to let them know they just crossed your mind--even if it seems silly, waving hello instead of keeping your head down, not running the red light). Through the ripple effect, history is unfolding from your hands, and we wouldn't be the same without you.

Meditative Doodling

A few weeks ago I was trying to come up with a new activity to do with the group I'm currently mentoring through Free Arts of Arizona. The idea of presenting them with a doodling process that could actually mimic meditation seemed pretty cool and so before actually bringing the project to them, I had a hand at it myself for a few days. Wow! Turns out this is really fun! Do you do this already? I found this a really great way to get in the present moment and quiet the mind chatter at the same time. (Who doesn't need more of that?) I have to admit I've never been too much of a doodler myself (though I've often admired the cool results that I see from others) but coming at it as a deliberate meditative practice is something I can work with. The therapeutic part comes from the continual repetition of lines and patterns and it works best if you don't think about it very much. You are probably more cool or savvy than me and already do this, but if you don't, try it! 

Sharing is Like Sunshine

I'm excited to share with you that I'm going to be featured as a guest curator for Crescendoh, April 19 through the 24. When Jenny Doh invited me to participate in this fun opportunity I was very honored. I really love everything that Crescendoh stands for ("creative passion, authentic community, focused compassion") and I hope you'll check out the site right now for some instant inspiration.

In thinking a bit about what "Art Saves" means to me in my life I've been reflecting on the joy that I receive from making things for others. I especially love to surprise people and try to give them a little unexpected perk that they never saw coming. I've received such loving perks myself and I wanted to just share a few of the most recent surprises I've gotten from three thoughtful souls who wanted to brighten my world "just because."

Receiving each of these three gifts really filled me up and made my day on the individual days I got them, so I know the honest value in reaching out. Even in this era of social media and overstimulation it's easy to feel isolated and like you live on your own planet sometimes. Pop in on someone else's planet sometime; share a piece of what you have to give; you'll enjoy it even more than they will, because . . . well . . . that's just how it works.

Dabbling With Duct Tape

Yesterday marked my fourth visit to bring art into the lives of a handful of teenage boys
living in a group home not too far from where I live. Last fall I went through some
mentor training through Free Arts of Arizona—a wonderful organization whose mission
is to "spark the creative spirit in abused, homeless and at-risk children and their families,
to inspire and transform their lives through the power of artistic expression." I work with
a partner and we alternate curriculum planning, so every other week it's my turn to try
and come up with something to inspire these boys. I know I'm often the last to try the
latest and greatest crazes and while duct tape projects have been all the rage for a few
years now, I had my first experience this week, and decided to bring the boys the
experience as well. Here are three things I practiced with ahead of time, so I could give
the illusion I knew what I was doing. One wallet, one flowered wristband and one ring.

In case you're wondering . . .one of the boys was already familiar with making duct-tape
wallets (of course), but everyone seemed to have a good time and liked what they made. I
have lots of tape left over, so I'll be playing with it myself for a while. Who knows what

havoc I'll wreck . . .

Still Searching for Words

Playing with Found Words

This past week in addition to lots of card making, I've been taking a plexi break and indulging my creative needs with a bit of poetic expression. It's fun re-tasting things you've forgotten about for a while.

What Emerged With Words

So . . .here is what my little pile of clipped words said that they wanted to be:

overripe sanity

and a broken prize

I watch

as airborne potential brings pure red, windy change

sigh

move miles

icebound elsewhere

and prosciutto every day

I am 100%

want

I want answers!

a perfect love

I may do something else with this (art- or jewelry-wise), or not . . .I'll see.

Happy Friday!! xoxo

Is This All You Need?

I'm Listening

When I get a message, I listen. This week I'm working on not one, but two completely separate projects that encourage the reader to collect words that speak to them from a book or magazine. OK. After a challenging day today, I actually really kind of enjoyed this activity as I was winding down between work and preparing dinner (Pumpkin, Feta and Cilantro Quesadillas if you're interested). These are the words that called out to me. I'm going to let them rest for a day and then I will return to them and see what develops (poem, art journal page, prose . . .who knows?) Words are great, aren't they? And I believe our subconscious has a great time stringing seemingly random words together to express what needs to be expressed. So this will be interesting . . .more to come soon.