Thursday, January 28, 2010

Why Are Artists Moody?

I apologize for not writing in my blog sooner. I did not feel like it. I had a lot going on in my head. I was filled with anxiety and did not know how to release it. Painting only made me crazier. Which brings me to the subject of topic. Why Are Artists Moody.

I guess I have been moody. I wake up sometimes wanting to paint and then immediately I fall into a funk. What a waste of time. I start enjoying my pitty party. I eat comfort food. I stare at the walls, the computer, a book, the back of my eyelids. What the heck is wrong with me. I already know. When artist contemplate what their next theme or project is they focus. they dig deep within themselves to feel it not think it. Sometimes in the process of feeling we sort out some issues in our lives. Then we re-live those areas where we never resolved. Sometimes in the creative process we get so involved in our story whcih we want to express on a medium we start to reminisce the bad memories and lose time. Time is so precious. We can paint for hours on end and not realize a four hour painting binge feels like 30 minutes. The same goes with anxiety. We can fall into a really bad funk and lose track of time. We can sit for hours on end thinking the same though over and over again. We need sometimes to be around other artists to remind us of these "mishaps"

These lapses in time can be very unhealthy. These lapses can drive us insane. So many artists stories have been told where they had a lifetime full of drama and pain and they manifested that experience into wonderful works. So many artists get caught up in depression because they relive these experiences. Artists need to be involved. they need to stay positive. they need to stay busy. Always working through these weird funky times. it doesnt matter if you are moody or not keep working. It is ok to smash an easel and canvas once in a while but keep on working. Keep creating. Keep mixing those colors and arranging that vibe in your soul. THe one thing we have over the regular joe is we are artists and we have a release. We have to use it. We have to remember that this release will save our lives over and over again. If we do not realize it we will surely fall into a really bad funk one day and die.

7 comments:

  1. I identify with this a lot. In fact, I've felt like this the last few days. And it just so happens, that I am between paintings. I'll be starting a new one today and woke up ready to do it and feeling somewhat better. I was trying to figure out a few things about it--how to tackle something new that I wanted to try. For me, it's so true, that I have to keep busy. For years, I only wrote, and my mental and emotional health was always at it's best when I was diligently working on something. Now that I'm also painting, I realize even more that being able to express myself creatively and keep that going is critical for me. If I'm not doing that, my mind goes off on all kinds of strange and sometimes unhealthy tangents. Anyway, great post!

    Thanks for adding Aberration Nation to your fellow art blogger list! I've interviewed several artists lately about creativity. You may want to check it out.

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  2. I needed to hear this as a confirmation of sorts that artists of all mediums may it be painters,film makers,writers or musicians have in history been moody or somewhat borderline crazy often turning to drugs or anti-depressants when the release of art may not be enough to sustain the violent thought processes. It's nice to hear that instead of turning to drugs I need to focus "it" on my medium.

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  3. love it...thanks I feel normal for what I am again...to much time around non-artists and not enough time creating my own pieces leads to this in my noggin...I hear the 'You're crazy, so moody, so melancholy, so this so that' awwwww why don't you people go sow some cucumber seeds (or a sew a button on your shirt if you prefer) is what I say. My creative friends understand this mental treadmilling though.
    A professor of mine said to me back in '94 the toughest part of any work is laying down the first brushstroke (translate to pen-stroke, dance step, for your prospective medium) and I find it is...then there's the lulls in between changing up your art style when or if you get bored of one particular style, etc...either way, thanks for the honesty.

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  4. Hi Daniel! I am writing a book about work-life balance with reference to the artists' traits. I want to feature you as a manifestation that artists have mood swings. Is it ok? I'll be linking your site to that portion of the book.

    Jojo

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  5. i have experienced being through this emotional roller coaster as well.. i mean, i am experiencing it right now. it's what we call in filipino "sumpong" (accdg to wikipedia)it refers to a range of short-term or temporary temperament.

    i throw tantrums when i dont get what i want. if i do not release it on writing, i release it on throwing and breaking things. it's sad.

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  6. I have an upper elementary student who is very moody like this. Obviously bright and beautiful but also noticeably different. Won't do what she doesn't want to do when she's all up in her head but will often draw and sometimes even dances around inappropriately. Any insight for how to help her through her academic and social struggles without squelching a potentially budding moody artist? What did a teacher who understood you do best for you? Love your work!

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  7. I am glad I came to this blog. I am an artist and needed to see that other artists struggle with mood swings as well. I can be painting one art work and in the middle of that one get an inspiration for another so I start a new one. I agree that we need to be around other artists to connect. I withdraw from the general public because they bore me. I will take your advice and keep busy..thanks Danial Quinonez
    Isabel/izzi
    http://www.izziart.bizland.com

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