Sometimes I just want to find the person who insisted that "good art only comes from pain" and give them a good shake and a talking to!
From where I am sitting, I just don't see that being "angst ridden and depressed" is the only frame of mind from which people can create art. Total nonsense!
Which is not to say that I haven't met my share of depressed artists along the way, but quite a few of them — and I realize I might get some "hate mail" for saying this — seemed more obsessed with maintaining "the artistic image" than with actually being seriously depressed.
As in, they really weren't all that depressed... when nobody was looking.
But I digress.
Creating these makes me HAPPY, not SAD!
My point here is that I have met plenty of creative spirits along the way who were not only very joyful people, but also outstanding artists!
Many years ago — in the mid-1980's — I remember having a long conversation about this very issue with a pair of glass blowers in Sweden. There whole gig was that they wanted to "express the JOY they felt every time they were working with glass."
Unfortunately, they were also having a heck of a time being taken seriously, because they were not sitting in a corner, being depressed and suicidal. Ironically, those "values" were being imposed on them by the critics and promoters of art.
I found something very ironic and sad in that situation... because if you follow that line of thinking to its conclusion, the implication is that if you actually enjoy working in the field you're in (art), then you really shouldn't BE in that field, because clearly you're not taking it seriously enough!
Think about it!
I personally create for the enjoyment of it, not because I am fighting inner demons acquired as a result of injuries, injustices and transgressions trespassed against me. Which isn't to say that I sometimes create or write as an expression to process something painful... but my creative expression certainly isn't contingent on it!
I make these "for fun" and they are super popular with particularly KIDS at art shows!
Sadly, many artists seem to actually buy into the whole "Angst Ridden Artist" myth and actively seem to cultivate reasons to be angsty and depressed, wearing it like a mystique; a badge of honor.
I suppose I should just say "to each their own," but from where I am sitting, it's really not necessary.
And that's really all I have to say about that... thanks for stopping by! Do leave me a comment if you feel so inspired — interaction and engagement are always welcome!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
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2022.03.10 AS-TXT-090/056