Prolific Doodler Coming to Oakland Library

The following information was submitted by Marilyn Rosica:

Artist John Rosica will be showing middle schoolers how doodling can enhance their creativity at an upcoming workshop.

Doodle art is a misunderstood art form. It is perceived only as whimsical drawings, but to many in the art world doodling is truly an art form.  It is actually a subset of abstract art called directive—think Jackson Pollack.

Rosica says he’s benefitted greatly from his four-plus decades of doodling.  

“There’s no doubt that my creativity is directly linked to my drawings.  So, I want to share what I’ve learned with 2 dozen middle school students to get them started.  Students will doodle throughout the one hour seminar,” said Rosica.

The workshop will be held at the Oakland Public Library, Two Municipal Plaza, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 3:30 p.m.

Creativity can be learned according to Temple University Professor Robert Weisberg.  He has studied creative genius in many of the Country’s most successful innovators like Ben Franklin, Frank Lloyd Wright, Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs.  The professor claims that there is no such thing as a born creative genius.

Doodles also come with some controversy.  Many teachers and business executives are not aware of the benefits of doodling and disallow it. Benefits to doodlers include a tendency not to daydream during class and business meetings thus becoming better listeners.  Doodling allows a person's subconscious to work, where much of our creative expression is birthed, and allows the brain to concentrate. 

With no formal training, Rosica’s art is interpreted by what each viewer sees in his freehand, unedited, enlarged and framed creations.