First Post!

I am so excited about our first post! For years I have thought about starting a blog, but was unsure of what topic to explore. After considering my various interests and strengths I had a few ideas, but nothing was really exciting enough to hold my interest. So time passed, I went through a couple career changes, but the desire to start a blog remained. But this voice filled with self doubt would ask, "What could I possibly talk about that would interest other people?"

After years of feeling like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole, I read multiple articles that discussed "authenticity" with your career and in life in general. The gist of most said to be your authentic self, and you will attract your tribe. So, what are my authentic interests? First and foremost I am a musician. I began piano lessons at six-years-old and have loved the instrument ever since. People know me as a pianist and piano teacher. But this is not the only aspect of me, and I can get rather burnt out on piano if it is the only thing I am focusing on. My other interests include art, health, yoga, sports, hiking, gardening, and food (Perhaps food should be listed first. The people who know me best know my obsession with food!). Over the years I have become increasingly intrigued with seeing where and how these interests intersect. 

My interest in interdisciplinary study was sparked in college by a series of courses called "The Art of Entrepreneurship." The courses brought together students in the art, music, and business fields to learn from each other, and ultimately to run a university owned art gallery. The gallery was run primarily by students in the program, and was a wonderful blending of strengths. The business students developed an appreciation for the arts, and the art and music students got a taste of running a business. 

Fast forward to this week, when I had some much needed down time after a medical procedure. I wasn't feeling my best, so all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and binge watch some shows on Netflix. I start to get stir crazy when I'm unproductive for long stretches of time though, so I decided to get out some paper and a Sharpie, and just start doodling. Like many, I had a habit of doodling during classes in Junior High and High School and rather enjoyed it, but the habit disappeared once adult life hit. Now was a good time to start again! Then I had a thought, what if I try some music inspired doodling? And this happened:

Zentangle-inspired teal piano key doodle

It's not an earth-shattering work of art by any means, but it opened a flood of ideas into my brain. Then, Musical Doodling was born.

I'm so excited to start this space! This will be a place where in addition to sharing fun music inspired doodles, I want to celebrate the blending of music and visual art in any form. A simple Google search finds so many amazing things people have created. One example, recently two local organizations held an Art of Music fundraiser auction, where various local artists re-purposed violins and cellos into beautiful works of art. Here are a couple of the pieces:

The Dawn Chorus by Felicia Olin

Gustav's Waltz by Marianne Stremsterfer

Aren't these just beautiful??

So to wrap up my first post, if this subject interests you, I hope you'll come back and visit sometime! I'm looking for my tribe interested in the intersection of music and visual art, and would love to share ideas and inspiration. Until next time, take a look around the blog, and check us out over on Facebook!