This is a blog about the Fine Art of Noodling.
To Noodle is to ponder or do something without giving it full or serious attention. In Music, it is the improvising or casually playing a melody on a musical instrument. In Art, it is simply free-form doodling.
The Journey is the Reward.
Sometimes aimless Noodlings lead to Masterpieces.
I still use the Filofax because I love to doodle (noodle) on the pages with pen, pencil, highlighter, stickers etc. It’s therapeutic and gets my creativity out onto the page. It is deemed a crucial outlet for release. The more creativity emerges, the more creativity will take its place. The wellspring of creativity is endless.
Besides shooting rock stars on stage when they are performing for their fans, I especially cherish the backstage moments when they entertain themselves or with others before or after a concert performance. I thank the rock stars for allowing me into their inner sanctum.
Time stands still when I noodle/doodle. I believe it is the same for my creative musician friends. There is no right or wrong. Just let your creative juices flow.
The therapeutic creative outlet saves a visit to the psychiatrist.
The following are my Spontaneous Creative Noodlings and Artistes in their various Styles and Stages (rock concert pun) of Noodlings.
Enjoy the random and spontaneous images below. All in the spirit of Fun.
My Carefree Freeform Filofax Noodling (1) – “Diminishing Ink Refill”. Might as well draw an artwork before the ink in my Pentel EnerGel Roller Pen ball-point pen runs out.
My Carefree Freeform Filofax Noodling (2) – “Protecting The Vulnerable” (above image). Therapy with pens.
My Carefree Freeform Filofax Noodling (3) – “Monsoon” (above image). It was pouring outside my home when I drew this.
My Carefree Freeform Filofax Noodling (4) – “Untitled” (above image). Since I was already using the highlighter to underline certain important words on the page, I figured to also use it to highlight the top bits of my drawing.
My First Art Book – “Eclectic Sanctum” (above image). My “e” doodling ended up on the cover of my book of compilation of my art and photography.
The Guitar Noodling of Chris Stein of Blondie (above image) until a melody emerges. At the Magic Shop recording studio during the recording of Blondie’s “Pollinator” album. Chris is the co-writer of “Heart Of Glass”.
The Guitar Noodling of Tommy Kessler of Blondie (above image), until a killer riff emerges. At the Magic Shop recording studio, New York City, during the recording of Blondie’s “Pollinator” album. He is seen here with my guitar pick in his mouth. He reminded me I will also be “in” the new album because he is playing with my guitar pick. Thanks, Tommy!
The Playful Noodling of Debbie Harry of Blondie (above image), until a cool lyric or tune emerges. At the Magic Shop recording studio, New York City, during the recording of Blondie’s “Pollinator” album. Debbie is the co-writer of “Heart Of Glass”.
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie, Creative Chilling (above image), until a cool lyric or tune emerges. At the Applehead recording studio, Woodstock, during the recording of Blondie’s “Panic Of Girls” album. Debbie and Chris wrote “Heart Of Glass” and many other Blondie iconic hit songs.
Dame Olivia Newton-John, Soundcheck (above image).
Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Soundcheck (above image). Nuno in deep concentration getting his guitar and amplifier calibrations and settings just perfect.
Kitaro, Soundcheck (above image). The exacting pondering (noodling) of the multi-instrumentalist.
Kitaro, Soundcheck (above image). The award-winning multi-instrumentalist chills by noodling a harmonica.
Eric Johnson Noodling – Front View (above image). Mr. Nice Guy Eric can spend hours in getting his signature guitar tone just perfect.
Eric Johnson Noodling – Side View (above image). Eric is particular with his signature guitar tone.
Steve Lukather (Toto) and his Amplified Noodles (Wires), Soundcheck (above image).
Focussed Noodling (1) – Chris Stein Noodling with a Camera instead of a guitar for a change(above image). Photographed during the final days of CBGB club. The colour version of this image is featured in Chris’ memoir “Under A Rock”.
Focussed Noodling (2) – Steve Vai and his legendary guitar tech Thomas Nordegg (above image). Together like father and son, carefully calibrating the amplifier. Thomas Nordegg has worked with some of the world’s greatest guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Frank and Dweezil Zappa etc.
Hoobastank, Jesse Charland, Dressing Room (above image). Jesse, in the zone, with his pre-concert bass ritual.
Myles Kennedy, Alert Bridge during Soundcheck On Stage (above image).
Concert Security, Pre-Concert (above image).
Lamb Of God, Pre-Concert Board Meeting (above image).
Ting Tings, Backstage (above image). On some rare occasions, it is great to be in front of a rock star’s camera lens for a change. Thanks, Karen White!
John Campbell, Lamb Of God (above image). Reaching for the Sun!
Hanging Out (1) – Carlos Santana and Me in Dressing Room (above image).
Hanging Out (2) – Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers), his daughter McKenna and Me in Dressing Room (above image).
Hanging Out (3) – Hoobastank and Me in Dressing Room (above image).
Boy And His Toy (1) – Joe Satriani signs his Silver Surfer signature guitar, Dressing Room (above image). I love his album, “Surfing With The Alien”.
Boy And His Toy (2) – Nile Rodgers and his Nikon camera, Dressing Room (above image).
Funky Shoes (1) – Nile Rodgers, Dressing Room (above image). Check out D.I.Y. duct-tape personalised arrow.
Funky Shoes (2) – Ting Tings, Outside Dressing Room (above image).
Setting Up Of Jungle Stage (above image).
Jonas Brothers, Soundcheck With Fans (above image).
Hoobastank, Ten Seconds Before Their Concert Performance (above image). Note their battle-ready faces and body posture. Needless to say, Hoobastank brought their A-Game to their concert performance.
Steve Wozniak and Me, Amidst Fiery Creative Noodling (above image). I probably asked him why the band A Flock Of Seagulls was featured in his legendary 1983 US Festival.
The legendary rock photographer Rowland Scherman and Me (above image). Rowland at my solo rock photography exhibition in new York He photographed the likes of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Joan Baez, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash etc.
The Noodling Maestro himself (above image). I am willing to take those extra seconds to focus, frame (up, down left, right) and promptly capture the worthy moment.
The Best Images are the Spontaneous Ones!
Bonus Image: Bronze Noodles Monster (above image). Easily one of my quirkiest toy figurines. Dig the eye-ball chopsticks. Perhaps it is trying to warn us to “watch what we eat”.
