LittleSketchers

When I was small, I had a pen friend. We used to exchange a lot of cards and letters. I enjoyed writing.

Grew up, made friends in school, a couple of them moved out of town. We stayed in touch. We wrote letters. We sent out cards. Still when I think about those days, it brings back fond memories. The anticipation. The excitement. The amazing feelings. The bond. The friendship.

I have always considered myself lucky in terms of friends and even otherwise

But somehow, the close friends, usually moved out of town and sometimes even out of the country. Out of sight. But never out of mind. I enjoyed writing essays and stories as a little girl. Then I grew up. Grew up and entered this wonderful digital world.

A world that allows everyone in it to have a voice. A voice that can reach far and wide. Everyone in this world can write and find an audience. An audience that writes back. Friends and strangers alike. Everything happens in an instant, mostly.

I miss receiving letters and cards in the ‘real’ world.

My son loves to create imaginary stamps. This illustration is also derived from one his drawings. He often writes and draws letters and cards…perhaps in the hope of sending these out to an imaginary friend…someday…

The other day I mentioned that I will take him to a post office, where he can see real letters, and real stamps. He can talk to the people who deliver the mail. He seemed so surprised by the whole idea, and exclaimed “wow”.

I really really hope that the ‘snail mail’ doesn’t become a thing of the past, to be seen in museums and history books. I wish to allow my son to relish the pleasure of sending and receiving letters. Since he can’t yet write…we will send out some ART to his ART PALS and definitely visit the post office very soon!

Just came across this interesting terminology while doing my research on Art and it’s impact on our brain. Well, to tell you the truth, I have been quite obsessed with this topic lately…

Zentangle — a type of meditation achieved through pattern-making, created by artist duo Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts. Each pattern is built one line at a time, organically combining simple patterns into complex zentangles in unplanned, unexpected ways that grow, change and unfold on the page as you enter an immersive state of flow.

As kids, as teenagers and also as adults we sometimes doodle, aimlessly, sometimes to while away time, and some times just for the sake of doodling…maybe we can’t think of anything better to do. For whatever reason we do it, our brain seems to ‘like’ it and enjoy it. It feels like we have entered the state of flow.

A research proves that people who doodle retain 29% more information than those who don’t!!

To start with, you can take up an alphabet or any simple shape. Your kids will enjoy it too, it’s like decorating their initials

Try your hand at it, you may or may not find your ‘flow’. But there is a chance and a strong one I must say that you might feel good and relaxed…

Feel free to share your zentangles with us.