The Choice

Artist: Diana Maus
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Card: US$4.99
Print: from US$21.38

The Choice

It’s not unusual for an artist to be influenced by poetry. Poetry is truth exposed— eloquently and succinctly. Sometimes it seems like my personal truth, but as it turns out, my truth is universal. This piece was inspired by the poet Wislawa Szymborska.
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1996/szymborska-poetry.html
In the poem “COULD HAVE”,
http://www.english.upenn.edu/~traister/szymborska.html
Szymborska writes about destiny/fate/chance/luck and, most fortunately, reprieve. I read this poem many times and eventually realized that I didn’t really have The Choice to decide my fate after my mother’s death at a young age. “As a result”, “because”, “although” and “despite” played the larger role. The “Chest” of drawers is a metaphor for my mother’s chest (and heart). Once upon a time, there seemed no separation between hers and mine. The four drawers state my truths:

As a result of circumstances at the time
Because I had to go on
Although it wasn’t what I wanted, and
Despite all evidence to the contrary

I chose. Or did I?

The Choice belongs to the following groups:

All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Altered Art, Heart Art, Inspired Art, Mixed Media, Something To Say and Vibrant and Vivid Color

lexa dedman, 4 months ago

wow beautiful!!! gorgeous!
Diana Maus in reply to lexa dedman’s comment, 4 months ago

Thanks, hon (Lexa is my daughter)
Anthony R. Pla..., 4 months ago

How very poignant! Cool concept!
RLHall, 4 months ago

Gorgeous art, and poetry reference, I can relate to this as well, my mother died when I had just turned 12. No, there was no choice involved in the loss of my mother, or my fate at that time…it all came down to the hand that was dealt to me and how it shaped my being. A beautiful metaphor to soothe the spirit :-)
izzybeth, 4 months ago

Positively beautiful.
Diana Maus, 4 months ago

Oh thanks you guys. I am touched that you can relate and have responded so quickly! Love redB artists…
Diana Maus in reply to RLHall’s comment, 4 months ago

I’m sorry to hear about your mother. It’s a life-altering fate to be sure. I also feel my hand was dealt right then and there. I’m glad you feel soothed by it. I think that’s why I’m working in this medium and style right now.
Diana Maus in reply to Anthony R. Plastino III’s comment, 4 months ago

Thanks Anthony!
Diana Maus in reply to izzybeth’s comment, 4 months ago

thanks izzybeth :)
RLHall, 4 months ago

It’s beautiful work, you must have a lot of patience! :-)
Diana Maus in reply to RLHall’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you. Yes I have developed a lot of patience for detailed work over the years. But I not on the computer any more! No patience for that! I love handwork mostly now.
RLHall, 4 months ago

Detailed work can be very meditative once you get a system down of the easiest ways for you to do it. I love beading, jewelry-wise, but have never tried a mosaic type design…
Diana Maus in reply to RLHall’s comment, 4 months ago

You should try it. I love it. I used to sew but not any more. I glue all my pieces.
AlteredIllusions, 4 months ago

Exquisite detail and rich colors. This is a lovely tribute to your mother and a visual testament to the choice that you did make :) ~Denise
Diana Maus in reply to AlteredIllusions’s comment, 4 months ago

Oh thank you Denise…That’s sweet of you.
Butterflies An..., 4 months ago

this really is beautiful, i prefer it over the guady things i have seen in the past that could have been just as beautiful if the creator had not gone over board.

you have a knack for knowing when to stop and just where to place things…thus making your piece pleasing to the eye.
Diana Maus in reply to Butterflies And Bullets’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you…
BlumeBauer, 4 months ago

The image of this looks incredible!! It turned out so beautiful, I really love this one!
Diana Maus, 4 months ago

Thanks hon, (Blume is my other daughter!)
Helene Kippert, 4 months ago

Fascinating work!
Diana Maus in reply to Helene Kippert’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you Helene…
Karin Taylor, 19 days ago

a wonderful piece
i love your description
Diana Maus in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 19 days ago

Thank you Karin!
AnitaInverarity, 19 days ago

Beautiful !!
Diana Maus in reply to AnitaInverarity’s comment, 14 days ago

thanks, as always…