Art For Sorting Things Out

ART FOR SORTING THINGS OUT Art Techniques for Finding Your Flow Bowen Lyam Lee

Art For Sorting Things Out

by Bowen Lyam Lee https://storyrex.com copyright 2023

FINDING YOUR FLOW Drawing with the Intention of Moving Freely and Consistently Towards Your Goals and Purpose in Life

Art for Sorting Things Out Things are tough all over, and at times, things seem too tough for you. That burden on your back is more than weighing you down, it threatens to bowl you over. That roadblock in your way looms large and impenetrable and there seems to be no way around or through it. The situation has you thinking you can’t do what you need to do, and worse, it’s making you feel you can’t do it.

ART TO THE RESCUE!

Doodles Audio on page 6

Mandalas How-to video on page 9

Art for Finding Your Flow Get back on track with art techniques that are simple and anyone can do. You don’t need any special tools or materials, just something to write with and something to write on.

Many of these art practices have been called, and been proven to be, therapeutic and healing.

But I use these art forms as tools to help me when I’m feeling overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, or blocked.

They help me get moving again.

Zentangles How-to video on page 13 Neurographic Art How-to video on page 19

Art Anyone Can Do If you can hold a pencil and write with it, you can do these art techniques.

You can do them anywhere, on anything, sketchbooks, scrap paper, napkins, junk mail, even canvases to keep, whatever you have on hand. Use any medium, pencil, paint, ink, markers. You can do these on a tablet or smart phone with a drawing app.

You cannot make mistakes in this kind of art.

There are no mistakes when you are finding your flow.

Just keep going until you have a drawing you are satisfied with.

Meet The Bo wen m a Ly Author e e L L

Yes, she’s an

Mostly she’s a

And a

artist.

teacher.

storyteller.

She is constantly in turmoil, so she knows what she’s talking about.

able Of T Contents

1

Getting Started.

page 2

2

Doodles.

page 5

3

Mandalas.

page 7

4

Zentangles.

page 11

5

Neurographic Art.

page 15

Whatever you

Drawing Tools

have on hand is fine.

You don’t need an eraser.

1

Getting Started Quiet Within It doesn’t have to be quiet where you are, especially if you’re in a public place like a coffeeshop. Just quiet all the thoughts inside you.

Let them fall silent.

Get Something to Write On

Get Something to Write With

Have a Flat Surface to Work On

Any kind of paper at hand will do, as long as you have a blank page in front of you. The more durable it is, the better it will take what you put down and the drawing will last longer.

Use a pencil, a pen, a marker, a brush. Any writing tool works. What you do not need is an eraser. Colors are great to have, but optional.

Write on a table, desk, board, clipboard, book, notepad. A flat, hard surface that is easy to write on. You can take your art with you if it is in a sketchbook or sketchpad.

2

When Do I Do This Kind Of Art? Any time you need a reset button.

Any time you need to think things over.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed.

Whenever you need clarity.

When you’re about to give up.

When you think you can’t handle it.

When you just want some time to yourself.

3

Let’s Begin!

A Cave by Mateo Gomez

This drawing was made by a seven year old boy who wasn’t thinking about how to do his drawing. He just picked up colors and put them on the paper. The elements in the picture have meaning to him. To everyone else, it is just a beautiful picture that could mean all sorts of things. But the important thing was that he was satisfied with what he had done.

That is how you should do these art techniques, without thinking about it too much, and just doing it until you think you’re finished.

4

Art Technique for Filling In The Margins

Doodles People sometimes doodle when they are bored. But making little drawings in the margins are our thoughts and feelings wandering onto the page. Pay attention to them when it happens. Spontaneous little doodles have a way of informing us about what is going on, whether we are aware of it or not.

5

Art Technique for VIsualizing Ideas

Doodles Doodling With Intention Write something on the paper: A question you’re grappling with.

An idea you have.

A problem you’re working on.

Draw whatever comes to mind while you think about what you’ve written.

See if your doodles have any insight.

Here’s my reflections on the Doodles I made around this question.

Listen here

6

Art Technique for Spiritual Health

Mandalas

Mandalas are concentric patterns.

They are like the ripples that pebbles tossed in water make.

Start from the center and draw outward.

Or start from the outer edge and draw concentric patterns till you reach the center.

7

Keep adding elements to encircle your center.

Don’t worry if it’s wobbly.

Decide on a place to start and an element to repeat.

Repeat your element until you close a circle with it.

MANDALAS STEP BY STEP

Keep adding until you feel its done.

8

9

Art Technique for Meditation

Mandalas Color them in or draw on a colored background.

10

Art for Zoning Out

Zentangles

Zentangles take so much concentration, it is an effortless way to achieve an empty mind.

11

Art for Zoning Out

Zentangles

Just like Mandalas, Zentangles are repeated patterns. The pattern fills an entire space.

You determine the space to fill, and draw a repetitive pattern that fills the space completely.

Zentangle patterns can be composed of thick or thin lines, or a combination of them.

12

13

Make a space to fill.

Decide on a repetitive drawing pattern.

Fill the space with the pattern.

HOW TO ZENTANGLE

Color it in, if you like.

14

ART FOR HEALING AND DEALING

NEUROGRAPHIC ART When it’s hard to cope, this is the art to turn to.

15

ART FOR HEALING AND DEALING

NEUROGRAPHIC ART Start with a question you are grappling with.

Think of this question as you draw quickly on paper for 2 to 3 seconds..

Round out any sharp angles. Draw curves wherever there are pointed lines. Make straight lines curved.

Add circles to soften sharpness.

16

ART FOR HEALING AND DEALING

NEUROGRAPHIC ART

Keep rounding any sharp angles and harshness with curves and circles.

As you are rounding your drawing, reflect on the situation you are struggling with.

What can the drawing teach you about dealing with your situation?

17

ART FOR HEALING AND DEALING

NEUROGRAPHIC ART Color your drawing and hang it on the wall.

What is the drawing telling you?.

From this...

18 ...to this.

End here Start here

19

20

THANK YOU Enjoy your Art For Sorting Things Out! Send your artwork and experiences to bowen@storyrex.com https://storyrex.com