Meet Monica Harris (aka The Doodling Duchess) | Instructor of Meditative Doodling

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Harris (aka The Doodling Duchess) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For starting the Doodling Duchess business, I felt confident allowing it to progress organically. I didn’t want to rush the process or over-extend myself. Since my other profession is as a children’s writer, I have already had experience working on my own time schedule and reaching out to others. For Meditative Doodling, it’s a process that involves recognizing emotions and visualizing them. I kept that in mind while developing my business goals and Doodling Duchess persona.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t like to call my pieces “art” because it’s intimidating for people who want to do it on their own. I tell people that I doodle and seriously, that’s what I’m doing. When I was young, I found myself doodling on my papers when trying to focus on what my teachers were saying. It calmed me down and helped me remember important information.

For Meditative Doodling, I simply connect my emotions to a color and a shape. It’s that simple! Sometimes, I only doodle with black Sharpies because I only want to focus on one emotion or problem in my life. Other times, I bring on as many colors as possible. It all depends on what’s happening in my life.

When I teach classes, I really stress that in doodling, there are no rules, mistakes, or perfection. It’s a journey of visual discovery. Being a perfectionist myself, it has definitely opened my creativity and reduced my anxiety. That is what I hope people get from learning the Meditative Doodling technique — it’s a tool to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Proud of? I have had two of my doodles accepted in “Art Shows” (gosh…I don’t even like typing those words!). One was titled: Octagons of Empowerment. It was chosen by the Kalamazoo Institute of Art West Michigan Area Show (2020). It was also accepted in the Biafarin International Show titled I WANT TO BELIEVE. (2020). In 2023, my piece COLORFUL OCTOPUS was accepted in the Biarfarin International Show titled CURVES.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many great places in Kalamazoo area — where would I start?!

Mornings would be grabbing a delicious, hot beverage at Chocolateas. The owner, Polly, and her staff are excellent at finding you just the right drink to start the day off right.

Places to visit would be:
* Any local farmer’s markets — Kalamazoo, Portage, or Texas Township
* Kalamazoo Institute of Art
* Catch a show at Farmer’s Alley, Kalamazoo State Theatre, or Miller Auditorium
* Chocolate loving friends? – definitely Confections with Convictions
* Take a long stroll on Portage Parks Celery Flats and adjoining walkways
* More rugged hikers – strolling the miles of woods at Au Sabo Preserve or Asylum Lake Preserve

Food (if I didn’t want to cook — heehee)
* Principle Food and Drinks
* Sura – sushi and Korean food
* Bangkok Flavor for Thai
* Hunan Gardens for Chinese (two locations)
* Pub with atmosphere? Hop Cat or Bell’s

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The person who has helped shape my goals and actually helped me create my title is Lynn Jones. She is The Countess of Color and my closest friend. She teaches people about color numerology and how it affects their daily lives. When she learned more of what I was doing with my own doodling journey, she suggested that I share it with others. Lynn also suggested I “join the court” and become royalty, like her 🙂

Lynn and I sometimes teach workshops together titled COLORFUL INSIGHT which shares our knowledge to others.

Website: https://www.thedoodlingduchess.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedoodlingduchess/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedoodlingduchess/

Image Credits
All photos are taken by myself of my doodles