Relaxing Doodles

How much fun! Artist and author Lana Sajaja has created a portfolio of full-page doodle drawings, done in pen & ink, and compiled them in her book titled Relaxing Doodles. Upon opening the book, Sajaja introduces her methodology for how to use the book, setting the tone for establishing the correct attitude for reader – or should I say artist. She uses classic mental self-hypnotic suggestions – allowing the assimilation of subtle, deep, soft energy patterns to overshadow the stresses of a normal day so the artist/reader can set the stage for a moving experience when paging through and selecting the doodle drawings. She emphasizes the concept of relaxing – and having fun! There is no time frame to work within, no deadline, no one is supervising you nor is there any pressing urgency to complete coloring in the drawings – so relax. She suggests that once a doodle is completed, it is fun to cut out the colored patterns, frame it and put it on your wall, or give it away as gifts. What a concept – a coloring book for adults!

The doodles, as she calls them, are intricate patterns mostly showing the themes of Indian and Eastern cultural influences. Other doodles have a mathematical precision and depth reminiscent to the work of M.C. Escher’s awe inspiring creativity as well as some having architectural textures. Albeit, some of the doodles have so much detail that it’s difficult to find enough space to put in color, but for the most part they all have room for the personal touch of the reader/artist. One of my favorites was something you’d see in the 60’s when the Psychic Revolution inspired Pop Art from icons such as Andy Warhol and Peter Maxx to do the paisley ameba patterns.

Wherever the origin of the doodles comes from, Lana Sajaja has a style of her own. Just having the desire to embark on such an endeavor to make this book is so original in creativity, that kudos go out to her for marvelously accomplishing this feat. After all, who doesn’t like taking a “day-dreaming vacation” in one’s day to let a pen lay down ink within the margins of some paper at work, or in school, or doodling on a napkin at a coffeehouse? Doodling is, in my opinion, a direct connection of the brain to the paper without foreshadowing the outcome to ultimately reveal an intrinsic beauty exposed. Lana Sajaja, of course, had her plan in her mind, framing her pictures to fit a page, often using a ruler or straight edge and perhaps a compass or SpirographTM for precision.

Why should kids have all the fun? Coloring books have been proven to enhance brain development and eye-hand coordination. From depression coping therapy to healing, psychologists have known quite well the power of the doodle. Rorschach’s famous inkblots tie human recognition to personality traits. Furthermore, the use of color is perhaps as basic a human instinct as is a musical drum beat or rhythm; providing a mental texture backdrop to one’s thoughts. The Zen of coloring is a welcoming, relaxing time in anyone’s day; lowering blood pressure, relieving stresses of daily activities and in this case, resulting in works of art to be viewed as prized possessions, like a selfie photograph. I would emphasize all those that buy this book and color in the drawings, would be sure to remember where and when one colored in a particular doodle, and how much better it made you feel upon its completion.

Keep the crayons away, as these doodles require a finer point, such as a colored pencil set, a rainbow sharpie set or watercolors with a fine brush. So flip open the book to your favorite doodle, pour a glass of wine, light a candle and put a pillow on your chair – those are my suggestions.

By the way, I needed to color in at least one doodle to be able to do a proper review, and guess what? It works! Relaxing Doodles: A Coloring Book for Adults is just that. It’s time for me now to turn off the computer and do another.