Meaning in Doodles

Four weeks ago I fell and wraxed my back which made it difficult to sit at the computer. But it was OK for doodling. So I produced over 100 A4 doodles, and gave some thought to what might be involved in their production in the unconscious.

The inspiration and motivation came from the unconscious in terms of what might be called serial micro intentions. There was very little by way of conscious forward planning; it was a matter of one tiny step at a time. By definition there is no awareness of unconscious planning; and the up front consciousness was kept as empty as possible of ego, space and time. The steps were done in ‘flow’.

It is easiest to talk about serial micro intentions using an actual example (see opposite). The first four decisions included

• Where to begin – 4 corners or sides, or middle?
• Which pen – thick to thin?
• Curves or straight lines for the initial frame work?
• Realistic people and places v patterns?

In the example I began in the top left hand corner using a thick black pen and drawing curves. The eventual first image would be a pattern based on the three letters DOD.

The decision to use the word DOD was made a fraction of a second before it happened. Other fast decisions were made to disguise the letters eg the hoop at the top right

• Elaborate on the frame using lines and surfaces.
• Option – notice and exaggerate faces – eyes, nostrils, lips and teeth – and other body parts.

The example uses a very limited range of lines and surfaces eg solid and stitch lines, and short line shading. There is a simple female form in the bottom centre and a foot with a short sock pointing to the bottom left corner.

I am not aware of what a doodle is meant to mean while drawing it. Having completed it I can sometimes see patterns and possible meanings – but these can be different at different times of looking. And other people see other patterns and possible meanings. And often there are patterns to be found when the image is rotated (see below).

Immediately before its creation a doodle is non existent. After its creation a doodle is a product of a producer. What did the producer have in mind before, during and after the production process?

When in flow the producer has nothing in conscious mind but there will be all manner of churn in the unconscious. There is an ongoing unconscious review to decide what to do next and this continues till an endpoint is reached. After the endpoint of production there is the never ending possibility of reinterpretation by strangers. So there is no fixed meaning in the before, during and after. The meaning of a doodle is supplied from the mindbrain of the beholder.

90 degrees Motorbike

180 degrees Samurai warrior

270 degrees Lapdog