Doodle Chatter is a creative workshop created by Beth Archard. With pen and paper and easy conversation participants might be given the headspace for reflection, tools for relaxation, and a pathway for reconnection with one another.

Beth’s interest in the psychology of the everyday leaves her curious to know how the combination of verbal and non-verbal communication, and the expression of a personal visual language will affect how we reflect and reconnect.

How will we feel before, during and after the doodle? Doodle Chatter aims to provide an experience to engage an audience, promote interactions between people, encourage our capacity to be self-reflective citizens, and explore the possibilities of visual language.

The work is responding to what is happening right now, and how we need space, a separate or alternative space, to process. How we desire connection with others whilst lacking local opportunities for this.

How it works

Doodle Chatter does exactly what is says on the tin!. The artist and the participants sit and doodle together whilst initiating a conversation. This can be through a series of suggestive phrases or questions or simply what they feel they need to talk about at that particular moment. The Doodle Chatter tends to be slow and contemplative and the doodling allows you to listen more effectively.

Covid-19

As we are still under social distancing regulations Doodle Chatter requests that participants bring their own pens. The artist or workshop head will wear appropriate PPE for the site and current regulations. Paper will be provided in the form of a long roll on a table so that social distancing measures can be adhered to.

About the artist

Beth works across tactile materials and utilises traditional craft techniques. She is interested in the psychology and archaeology of the everyday and how objects or processes are both utilised and rejected in the navigation of life. Themes are directed by these techniques and underpinned by scientific or historical research. Her work is often centralised around a collected object or objects and the interactions between people and site. These facets are explored in conjunction with community participation be that through found items, discarded objects, donations, or workshops. Beth is acutely aware of the idea of creativity as therapy and aims to reach out to a wide audience irrespective of art knowledge or experience.

Beth’s work considers nostalgia; making collections, gathering materials and objects that make a comment or ascribe meaning to a time and place. She selects materials to produce works that might insist on memories in the immediate or have the potential to in the future. Beth is curious about the value ascribed to objects and materials, Art vs Craft, High Art/Low Art, and hopes to push and pull apart these dichotomies and make personal connections to create a more inclusive art space and experience.

Contact: DoodleChatter@gmail.com

Website: https://betharchard.wixsite.com/site/doodlechatter

Instagram: @doodle_chatter