Finding my own way (or why I find it impossible to toe any political party line)
By Old Grumpy Guy on August 5, 2009 at 12:15 AM in Current Affairs
I have been attending a video editing course with the Arts faculty at Ohio State University and was asked to write an “artist’s statement”, spelling out why I was an artist.
I wrote: “I am an artist because I have no choice in the matter. It is something that is hard-wired in me. I have an obsessive compulsive need to create something out of nothing; to find new ways of looking at things and to wrest some beauty or order out of ugliness and chaos.
“Like an autistic child, I need to create my own world as a refuge from the imperfections of the world around me and to express myself in my own way.”
And then came a bit of self-analysis that reflects on my political persuasions (or lack of them):
“I have never been able to subscribe to other people’s ideologies or repeat other people’s mantras, because I have had to find my own way and my own truth. It has always had to come from inside me, not from other people’s minds.
“At church as a child I was totally unable – physically incapable, and still am to this day – to sing hymns because the words and the music and the feelings are not necessarily my own.”
For the same reason, I am unable to toe any political party line unless it chimes with my own perceptions and analysis – or to put it another way, unless it “feels right”.
With regard to the current state of America, I am still feeling my way. After opposing Obama’s election (favoring Hilary Clinton first and then John McCain) there are some things about the work of the Obama administration that feel right. Some of the things they are trying to reform, like health care, desperately need reform in my view. But whether the Obama administration is doing it the right way is another matter. For me, the jury is still out on that. But I hope he succeeds.
I personally think that America can achieve anything it sets out to achieve, provided it reflects the majority values and the will of the people. But I think that, like myself, America is still finding its own way amid rapidly increasing change.
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Great to see you here Grumpy..!!
“Artist” is not just the desire to create. I would say that you can call yourself “artist” when you know your “art” to the point where you worry about what you want to do and not on how to do it. (BTW, I use a peculiar medium, but I am no less of an artist for that.)
Couldn’t agree more, Grumpy. It’s good to see you back here.
Really?
You mean like the snitch network that Obama is setting up for anyone who disagrees with what’s in the Health Care bill?
Wow.
You are naive, man.
I actually READ a HUGE portion of the bill, and if it is passed, we are screwed.
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/it-has-begun-obama-initiates-formation.html
Nice to see you back, Grumpy.
Being a video editor is being an artist – so my husband & son, both editors, keep saying. Cinematography is a related art. Hope it makes you happy.
that seems the best approach, for all things including one’s sanity…
This above all, to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
forgive me, it came to mind, ha, ha.
You are fortunate to be able to creatively express yourself in art without doubt or second guessing or indecision, a fault which can get the better of some of us, that is, in terms of being satisfied with the work.
Seems like you have a handle on life and a way and attitude that’s best to deal with that which none of us has control.
all the best
OGG, you sound very much at peace amid the chaos. If we all picked up our paint brushes (or crayons), the angst might disappear. Is blogging an art form? Masochistic pastime? I hope you are well?
MUST SEE
The Canadian Free Press just posted a story about the eligibility issue. If this is true, I think the wheels are finally starting to fall off.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/13373
My apologies OGG. In my excitement to get the word out I failed to say Welcome Back! I and many others have missed your presence here at NQ.
Having been a “road less traveled” person myself, I do appreciate that trait in you. Welcome back too.
What is curious to me is this. What part of Obama and his throwback peoples agenda do you find comfortable?
The stimulus bill? Cap and Trade? The clunker? What part of the Health Care bill gives you comfort?
People who like communal living may be drawn to the idea of socialism. On the surface it sounds rosy, in reality it is the haves and the have nots. Only the divide is much greater, with more have nots.
I have worked HARD all my life. Have sacrificed to get where I am. Did without the designer clothes and the vacations. All to see it handed to someone(s) who have not and will not ever be a responsible citizen?
So please tell me what warms your heart about Obama and the his plan to silence Americans? It is/was on the government web page. Report other people? For freedom of speech and thought? During the so called election, there were people who traced emails back to the original source and turned them over to him.
You travel your road and I will travel mine. I am proud to be an American and not a “Citizen of the World” I would much rather have Patrick Henry, Braveheart and Sgt Crowley on that road with me than
the ruling members in Washington.
Citizen Informants
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/08/citizen_informants.html
So nice to read another “grumpy” column again at NQ. Hope to see many more! Your description of the artist as one who has “no choice” but to create really touches home. As usual, beautifully written!
Thanks for all the welcome messages. I hope to do ,more come winter.
Then you will surely make it “the winter of our contentment!”
Hey GOG glas you’re well and stopping by.
…just talked with my sis in Columbus lastnigt.
On healthcare, I’m with a majority of Americans…or I was, as how this administration and Congress are handling things, they are LOSING support for Healthcare reform. But I oppose this pieced together, special interest laden, mish mosh, chosing who gets what and who is more deserving than others.
So…stay healthy and well.
and obviously my fingers are NOT working well, these days…usually hitting my keys too lightly and missing letters, but I’ve managed to mangle that up nicely. Sorry folks for the hurting eyes. Time for more coffee.
And if you plan on hanging out there for a while, she just told me some homes that we just FELL in love with, south city, around German town, classics, are for sale again, with new lower prices.
Wish I could partake.:(
Good to see you back here OGG. I’m still hoping for the series on “10 Greatest Oi Punk Bands of All Time.” You’ve left us colonial heathens to grovel alone in our cultural wasteland. Best wishes.
Democracy can only work well with an informed electorate and I worry the country is going stupid. The numbers of news reporters diminish while the numbers of pundits, willing to give up their independence for access, increase. Charlatans and demagogues disguise themselves as “News” shows, offering infotainment which plays fast and loose with the truth and lead their audience around by the nose. As a result, too many Americans believe things which are absolutely false as being absolutely incontrovertible: Saddam had something to do with 9/11, Obamacare wants to euthanize seniors, etc. While on the other hand, only 42% of Americans can name our three branches of government. I’m more pessimistic and hope it’s only a phase I’m going through.
Grumpy, I was thinking of you the other day!
I agree with much of what you’ve said, although as a child I attended a Methodist church and since I love to sing I believe I was in the right place! Admittedly, hymn lyrics hold little meaning for me although Abide With Me still comes to mind during troubling times. I’ve long since given up church and instead try to live by the Golden Rule.
I don’t subscribe to political (or religious) partisanship and since my political views are once again leaning libertarian like they did nearly 30 years ago, I guess I don’t share your hopes for this administration to come up with solutions I agree with.
I’m not artistic but I find great refuge in the appreciation of art. It’s a tremendous antidote for poisonous politics.
OGG! I was wondering where you were! Glad to see you checking in and look forward to more of your creative endeavors being posted on NQ.
I am not so optimistic about the current administration finding any solutions to any of our problems…certainly I hope the “health care” plan they have come up with will be thrown out and they will start from scratch. However, when have they ever done anything based on what the public wants?
Welcome back though.