Why Simplicity in Your Art and Life Matters

Do you find yourself caught up in to-do lists that never end? Do you see problems all the time? Stress over little details and find drama in every situation? Life can be one complicated hurdle, dead-end and riddle. And then the refrigerator breaks down on a Saturday afternoon! But there is an easier way to live and enjoy better creativity too.

Mars or Bust
Recently I read a book about Elon Musk's quest to build a rocket ship for return trips to Mars. One of his motivations is to avoid the extinction of the human race by building a Mars colony. Mmmm.

No doubt Musk's achievements so far have been impressive. His show is the best in town and will likely continue to improve with time. But colonise Mars?

Would it not be simpler to "colonise" already inhospitable places on Earth? For inspiration look at Las Vegas. Or Israel. We have a lot of water on this planet although most of it is salty. Why not invest is mega-desalination projects? Then turn dry bits of California into a garden. Or the Namib desert. There is plenty of room and oxygen too. Mongolia has losts of space and is beautiful in the Summer.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
The problem with us humans is we mess up. Put us on Mars and someone is going to drop a spanner in the works. Inevitably the result will be dire if you need oxygen. Which you do. What a struggle we have coping with Ocean travel. Now we must live on Mars? We need to make our present home more hospitable first and that is simpler to do. I'm sure it will be profitable too so there is an incentive for someone to get started. Unless of course Elon and the "elites" know something we peasants do not. I doubt there will be enough Mars tickets for us regular folk. Oh well, I like it here for the most part.

The Romans Understood Simplicty, Until they Didn't
Have you read Seneca? He was a Roman philosopher and follower of stoicism. Read a few compilations of his letters and he will amaze you with his ideas. Much of his thinking is relevant today. You may think that Seneca wrote these letters last week. If you ignore the bits about gladiators and slaves that is.

“Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are. We've been using them not because we needed them but because we had them.” (Seneca)

The Stoics understood simplicity. Even then the complications of wealth, fame and leadership were a torment. And that was before the internet and email. Health was more important than wealth. One good friend was more important than hundreds of "likes" from strangers.

But the Romans chose the path of complication instead. They overextended themselves and became weak in ideas, leadership and morals. The result was no surprise. Now we have Italian politics. Still the most complicated political system in the world. But I digress.

Moving House Mayhem
Many of you have moved house at least once in your life. Recently downscaled to something smaller? No doubt you have blocked the memory of house moving. I have recently experienced this trauma and I apologise if I have rekindled any unpleasant memories.

It is in house moving that we face the consequences of failing to keep life simple. Often I had to wonder why I had kept something or why did I purchase it to begin with? If you lack awareness you will waste money and produce clutter. Throw out the junk or better yet avoid purcahsing it to begin with. Buy Bitcoin instead. You will thank me later.

Mental Clutter
Do you suffer from auto generated problems? You know those bits of drama and trouble that your mind throws at you every waking moment? Maybe you have more free time after retirement, but now there is more drama to fill the time? This is all too common and banal. You must learn to change the mental station from drama to calm. Keeping the hands busy works for me. Plus avoiding people who drag you into their web of gossip and drama. Energy vampires the lot of them.

Simple Wealth
Simplicity in all things does not mean being a scrooge or killjoy. It also does not mean living uncomfortably. Instead simplicity is a powerful concept that brings peace of mind. In turn this leads to effective living and you will achieve many things. 

“Philosophy calls for simple living, not for doing penance, and the simple way of life need not be a crude one.” (Seneca)

Create Excellent Art the Simple Way
How does this idea translate into your art? I love the example of children's art. We all know that a child does not agonise over making art. Children create some of the most beautiful art in early grade school. Free of ambition, envy and fear. They go for it and their art is a joy to behold. Simple.

Things change later on. Ego and self-esteem issues can derail your art if you let them. Always be aware of these mental traps.

When you are in front of the easel remember that it is the simple statement that has the greatest impact. That one brushstroke that suggests so much. The effect of light or the mystery of shadow communicated in a few deft strokes of a brush. That is the essence of simplicity.

Writing the Simple Way
Few authors can make a complex sentence read beautifully. Shakspeare did it. In modern times Cormac McCarthy is a master at it. But he will juxstapose this with a short, sharp statement that knocks you over.

Great orators know the power of the simple statement. Compare this staement: "The other day I was thinking wouldn't it be, like really nice if we all just got along?"
to Martin Luther King's Speech: "I have a dream."

How to Simplify?
Many authors write on this topic. Does this suggest that authors are making the subject too complex? Probably.

As an artist the most important quality is to take time to observe. Then when the eye and mind have seen, take action.

Apply this to most things so that your actions are not impulsive. Ask how you can simplify the circumstances or the decision you are facing? Let the answer arrive with time.

I will let Seneca have the last word:

“It is not the man who has too little that is poor, but the one who hankers after more.”

How can your life benefit from more simplicity?
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A Good Way to Simplify? Try Keeping an Illustrated Journal

Want to take up journaling with illustrations?
Want to learn mindfulness inspired by the stoics like Marcus Aurelius?

This is the course you have been waiting for.