Susan R Castillo is a graphic artist and illustrator who thoroughly utilizes the subconscious state of intuitive drawing to generate surface design motifs. After sketching with pen and paper, Susan uses Adobe Illustrator to vectorize her concepts into fragmented motifs and begins to experiment with repeating designs. By freely moving, manipulating, rotating, resizing, and juxtaposing those fragments in fresh ways, the doodle began to evolve, transforming from a raw, unfiltered expression into an intentional, stylized design. From the depths of the subconscious, to the hand, to the page, to the screen, and finally to the finished series – the Arcane collection she shares with us today, is a testament to the power of intuitive creation and the incredible journey a simple doodle can take when nurtured with openness and imagination.
Here are Susan’s reflections on subconscious drawing:
Doodling freely, without any preconceived notions or constraints, can be an incredibly freeing and meditative experience. As you let your pen meander across the blank page, guided solely by your intuition and subconscious mind, spontaneous and organic forms begin to emerge and take shape. Lines swirl and intertwine playfully, dancing with each other to create abstract shapes and intricate patterns that almost seem to have a life and energy of their own. It’s like tapping into a hidden wellspring of creativity, allowing it to bubble up and flow out through your pen onto the paper in a cathartic release of pure, unfiltered self-expression. The pen becomes an extension of your inner world, giving form to fleeting thoughts, emotions, and impressions. There’s a certain magic in surrendering control and letting your hand move freely, not knowing what will manifest on the page but trusting in the process and being open to wherever it may lead.
As the composition grows and evolves organically, surprising juxtapositions and relationships form between the various elements – a serendipitous visual poetry that could never have been consciously planned. Doodling in this intuitive way is akin to dreaming while awake, allowing the subconscious to speak through abstract imagery. The resulting sketches are imbued with raw authenticity – imperfect yet honest reflections of your unedited inner landscape at that particular moment in time.
Susan has published a coloring book you can purchase here. Shop her merchandise on Threadless or fabric and home decor items on Spoonflower.
