I Followed 3 Arbitrary Rules for a Decade. This is What I Learned.

Frank Lloyd Wright once said

“The human race built most nobly when limitations were greatest and, therefore, when most was required of imagination in order to build at all."

There is power in limitation.

Being restricted to boxes is when we are forced to think outside them as our natural inclination towards expansion and freedom expresses itself.

Restrictions can happen naturally, as Frank Lloyd Wright was referring to designing on a site with a waterfall.

More often though, they happen artificially as with our societal norms; jobs, school, painting on a canvas and any other numbers of things.

I'll here ask you to pause and think. What are the arbitrary rules you follow in your life?

Are they natural, like the waterfall, or societal/emotional/financial These are things like caring for children, jobs, financial stress, etc... Although not "natural", these restrictions, like water, are real and present and can't be ignored without risk or serious damage.

One of the big things I learned is the power in choosing to engage with restrictions.

For years, as an artist, I worked with a restricted pallet to reduce decision making, make sure all the work I created was consistent and allow expansion in other areas. Although well thought out restrictions, grounded in philosophy/theology, they were arbitrary. This restricted pallete pushed me into spaces and creativity I would have never explored without it.

I called these restrictions "The RULES" and they corresponded to my experiences up to that point with Yoga, Philosophy and Theology which all emphasise the power of THREE in stability in the universe.

The RULES were simples and there were three.

1. Works must be primarily black and white
2. There must be sSomome black in the white and some white in the black
3. The colours of the rainbow must be represented in 7 shades from red to purple with two blues, light and dark.

Within this restrictive framework, I produced hundreds of works.

Here are some examples of the variety and scope that working within this restriction leant. Range expanded from paintings to objects both free standing and wall mounted.

It's amazing what comes out when you follow the RULES!

So what did I learn in this 7 years of creating in within restrictions?

1. Restrictions, when used properly, lead to greater creativity because you expand in unexpected ways.
2. Limits allow freedom of brain space to do other things because a lot of the decisions are already made.
3. Rules mean that there is a consistency to output that is hard to achieve when there is no framework.
4. Although great for learning, these restrictions don't necessary produce work that is good for the majority of the market.
5. It is natural for these restrictions to have an end. There is a point when they no longer serve us or our lives. When this happens, let them go.

After 7 years of consistent production (you can see more of my work through my online gallery here https://www.singulart.com/en/artist/douglas-karson-9397 ) I am coming to a change point.

The RULES no longer serve me and I am finishing a small number of final pieces from this Ouvre of my life and then moving on.

Stay tuned.

The next body of work has me laughing out loud in the studio with joy, humour and love!

Until then,

Remember to always

Keep Art It