Finding Freedom to Create: A Painter's Roadmap

by Dianne Mize

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Travel with Dianne Mize as she takes you on a journey to your inner artist and guides you with practical ways to set aside struggle and enjoy being the creative individual that you know you are.

Mize inserts tutorials and brain teasers among philosophical ideals and psychological certainties as she compares the processes in the visual arts with music and shows parallels in an array of pursuits using examples from Mozart to Danica Patrick. She explores in depth how the composing principles artists use are direct reflections of a healthy human psychology as well as the organizing energy that keeps nature and the universe working.

Whether you are just beginning or already proficient as an artist, Finding Freedom to Create provides an enlightening guide to help you find confidence in your inner voice and tap into solid resources that can aid you on the way to artistic wholeness.

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171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2014

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dianne Mize relates her views of creativity in the world of painting and sometimes crosses over into the world of music. She is not a fan of mimicking or imitating as an effective tool for learning to paint. Because of this, she has placed some really great learning exercises in the book to make a novice more comfortable with creating from one's own imagination and personal observances. There are plenty of references to further your learning to draw or paint more effectively. I am a fan of following along with an art teacher, so that's the only thing I disagree with. But, the author lays out her point against it well and has backed up her point of view. This is a great resource for someone who is starting to paint their own ideas and needs help with composition as most of the chapters are devoted to that topic.

[Catherine Kurkjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Freedom to Create

Dianne Mize is a master at teaching. This book has filled in so many missing pieces in my understanding about painting, drawing and the nature of creativity. I will use it as a resource and reference to enhance my craft and as an inspiration to get in touch with my authenticity as an artist.

[Gael Hillyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book by an absolutely wonderful lady.

Dianne is not only an incredible teacher she is also a generous and deeply thoughtful one as well as a talented artist.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially liked the early sections, though there’s a bit of a follow-your-bliss philosophy. But there’s a lot more than inspiration and encouragement. The book contains a lot of exercises and ways to learn about principles of composition — some of which are a little beyond where I’m at right now, but there’s a lot of useful information and practical techniques to return to.

She’s pretty down on learning by imitation, whereas I’d always heard and believed this is one way to learn and to try new things — in many areas of art and life.