As I go about my daily life in business as an artist, I encounter a number of myths. These common mis-perceptions about artists are so pervasive that I thought they deserved their own series of posts.
I thought it would be particularly instructive to share these myths on Artists Who THRIVE because a lot of these false legends come from artists themselves.
So let’s address the first myth,“artists must suffer for their art.”
Are you kidding? Really? Suffering is optional.
Now, I get it. If you are struggling financially and or creatively, you will suffer. I know. I’ve been there. I didn’t paint or draw a single thing for over seven long years. During this time I developed severe anxiety and chronic clinical depression. Notice. I wasn’t an artist then. I wasn’t expressing myself and that was one of the main reasons why I was suffering.
The depths of those feelings certainly inform my painting today. And that is the silver lining in the very dark cloud I lived in for years. But had I not focused my full attention and energy on improving emotional health and finding my artistic voice, I would certainly have continued to suffer.
Just ask yourself. How would suffering support you in any way to be a thriving artist and entrepreneur? Really.
Art is no doubt about feeling. It is emotive, not literal. Suffering transformed can inspire. But there are healthy boundaries between your creative focus and your business enterprise.
The successful artists that I know are certainly not suffering nor are they horribly dysfunctional. I meet a lot of successful entrepreneurs. Most of my collectors are self-made. The successful artists that I know are just as, if not more, enterprising.
These successful artists are marketing savvy. These artists are also keen on maintaining a healthy life work balance and I find them to be generous and highly intelligent. Is that a profile of the mythical suffering artist? I think not.
Did you enjoy this article?
You’re welcome.
In case someone hasn’t told you lately, thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do!
Know that although I usually lurk behind the scenes, your posts are not only informational but inspiring as well. I look forward to reading and digesting them. My “insecure self” sometimes needs reminders like this and others you’ve posted to shake a little sense back.
Thank you!!
Yes. I am suggesting that we all have choices. And I’m sharing the choices that I have made.
So, you’re suggesting that artists have a choice between living the myth that artists must suffer and empowering themselves by dealing with emotional challenges, becoming marketing savvy, and learning the ropes of successful entrepreneurs. How refreshing! How hopeful!