Freedom and Choice
Many crave the idea of freedom – being about to do what we want when we want. Some of our countries are even founded on this idea and many of our countries certainly have freedom as an ideal. And it certainly sounds romantic to have no responsibilities and no demands! But sometimes lack of structure can be difficult.
Let me be clear – freedom is important and necessary!! The lack of freedoms in many countries and the erosion of them in most others is not ok with me!! This is not what I am speaking about!! Freedom is actually quite different from lack of structure.
Flowers and Eyes, Digital © Diane Clancy
Yet, sometimes having fewer choices is actually easier than having many, many choices! I know with my creative work I often create artificial constraints to have a direction to go in … to basically give myself a problem to solve. I choose … and I am lucky to have the choice!! … to restrict things to make decisions easier.
I took art classes at the university for while – it was great for me! There was time pressure and artificial demands of certain kinds of projects … so I didn’t have to think about many things or make gigantic decisions … I had to hustle and make as many paintings as I could in the time frame allowed. I supposed that is why I always painted 2 or 3 times more paintings than most others. I didn’t mind being directed to some degree … and so I ended up with work that was usually very expressive of myself.
I need to set a direction for myself so I am not overwhelmed by too many possibilities. Thank goodness I am actually very good at setting structure for myself. But the creative part of things is the scariest place with little structure. You can see that with how much I turn to you for help with my signature. Sometimes I need outside input to know what I think. By the way, about my signature, I am very close and hope to have a solution by this afternoon … when I do, I may even go back and change this painting to include my Jane Hancock.
~ Diane Clancy
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I totally agree, Diane. We must have structure and discipline in our lives. I admire you for putting these artificial constraints on yourself to encourage an environment where you can work and accomplish your goals.
My Russian friend used to get frustrated when we’d go shopping and she would tell me how much better communism is.. lol
I agree with Julie. On a prosaic note when we go round my local massive Asda with its many choices, like ten different choices for a tin of tomato soup, we sometimes wish we were back in our local, simpler store. All the choices mean you have to walk much farther round the store. However maybe all this effort is worth it in that you actually get a better tin of tomato soup. lol
Maybe freedom and choice is the what we get with progress. As a child matures and takes on adult responsibilites he must learn to deal constructively with the freedom. Maybe great art, as well as lives well-lived, are a result of the tension between the two.
Hi Bobbie, thank you for your kind words!
Hi Julie, that is very funny!
Hi Beverly, I know what you mean … I often am swamped with too many choices … I don;t need all of them! Beverly, that is brilliant what you said about the maturing into freedom and also greatness coming from the freedom of the two!!
Thank you,
~ Diane Clancy
Amen, sister!
Hi Chris!! So good to see you!!!
~ Diane
Hi this message is stunning.
I will definitely read your diary..
thank you again
I love it when you combine your art with a bit of personal insight and stories from your life experiences. Like you, I thought I would achieve higher creativity with so many possibilities open to us now, but sometimes, it is overwhelming. I know exactly what you mean for the need to be structured.
Hi Dolphin, I hope you will come back.
Hi Neda, it is good to hear that the personal added is helpful to people!! So glad you understand!
~ Diane
Great article.
I am sure you’ll check out our website..
Thanks