What if a DOT could Change your life?

What if learning to make and understand the value of the polka dot could change your life? This month in The Artist’s Footsteps we are delving into the beautiful dotted world of the artist Yayoi Kusama. Her philosophical commitment to this vibrant motif as informed by personal struggles and insights in her life, has deeply impacted individuals (like me) and legitimized her as a contributor to contemporary arts.

For Kusama, the polka dot is not decoration — it’s a way of understanding oneself, merging with infinity, and finding peace in repetition.

To begin “walking in the footsteps of this artist-” try this exercise:

1. STEP ONE(right now): grab a pen or pencil and some paper surface: a post-it, napkin, piece of paper, anything. Now start making small circles, the same size or variate them…the key is to get into a rhythm and just keep making dots for 90 seconds (set a timer or just estimate- its longer than you think).

***2.*After a minute or so LOOK and OBSERVE the circles (or dots) you made -

What do you see?

Do your dots/circles make a pattern?

Are they more random and unique?

What do they make you think of?

It’s ok if it makes you giggle - this kind of observation can feel awkward at first.

**3.**Now take a look at this quote from Yayoi Kusama:

“One day I was looking at a red flower-patterned tablecloth on the table, and when I looked up, I saw the same pattern covering the ceiling, the windows, and the walls, and finally the whole room, my body, and the universe. I felt as if I had begun to self-obliterate, to revolve in the infinity of endless time and the absoluteness of space, and be reduced to nothingness.”

**4.**Have you ever had an experience of seeing a pattern and reflecting on its bigger meaning to your life? To an idea?

**5.**Now wherever you are, look and see if you can identify a few examples of circle shapes repeated in your visual world- Fabric, couches, outside in nature?

Snap pictures of them and…..if you want extra credit put them in the chat.

**6.**This is Kusama’s Self-Portrait - Do you l like the patterns and the reduced color palatte? What does it say to you?

Self-Portrait | Guggenheim Museum Bilbao ion...

HOME PLAY: I invite you to try making circles or dots this week, just 5 minutes: repeating the fun gesture of a circle and see if you too can feel “**the infinity of endless time and the absoluteness of space.”**Make sure you like the way the pen/crayon/marker moves on the paper. It’s about the pleasure of the tactile experience too! I have seen first hand as an Artist and Teacher the simplicity and power of noticing and making a polka dot - It’s both fun, philosophical and easy to do!

Eliz’s reflections: Stepping into Kusama’s footsteps allows me to see and reflect on both the patterns in the world and the patterns in my life.

This flower above slays me!

In general- I love the look of circles and the making of dots - especially in a clear neat pattern. I doodle circles all the time, they feel so satisfying to make.

I also love drawing and painting circles -especially when I get bold with color. Creating repetitive circles as a practice also makes me feel calm and balanced. I can feel my anxiety go down, and I get “lighter” about how I view life. Making circles makes me smile and breathe.

Share your experiences or doodles of the quiet power of the dot as a pattern and metaphor for living