The curse of artistic inspiration is a phenomenon that affects many creative individuals. It is a double-edged sword, bringing both creative motivation and immense pressure. When artists are struck with inspiration, they experience a surge of ideas, emotions, and a deep longing to create. This inspiration can be triggered by various stimuli like nature, relationships, or personal experiences. The intensity of this feeling is often overpowering, consuming the artist's thoughts and driving them to express their vision through their chosen medium. However, this intense inspiration can quickly turn into a curse.
5. Finally – have fun! Art isn’t perfect. We all express what we want, in the ways we can. Above all I want you to enjoy what you produce (:
A creative block is a period of time where an artist cannot harness their creativity; something that can feel quite menacing, but is actually very common and can be worked through. It s also a good idea to find sustainable routines that you can stick to as knowing what you re doing and when can help to reduce some of life s daily stresses.
However, this intense inspiration can quickly turn into a curse. The burden of trying to live up to the initial burst of creativity can become overwhelming, leading to self-doubt, anxiety, and even creative blocks. The pressure to constantly create something innovative and impactful can stifle an artist's ability to produce meaningful work.
The Artist Curse – When others LOVE your art, but you DON’T | Liron Yanconsky’s Podcast – Episode 30
Today we’ll talk about the artist curse, what it is and how to possibly deal with it.
How I learned about the artist curse
I initially came across this phrase in a video by Mark at Draw Mix Paint channel. Mark is a fantastic oil painter I highly recommend you check out. ESPECIALLY if you do watercolor.
In any case, he described this concept in several of his videos.
The artist curse is when you don’t enjoy your art the same way others do. You don’t see it the same as others see it. You sometimes don’t understand why others like it.
Why I’ve been thinking about the artist curse
Lately I’ve been experiencing more and more of this.
I think I’m a bit of an oddball. I am able to enjoy some of my art, and see the beauty in it. But only to some extent, and only some of the time.
Because I was so lucky to build a following of amazing people on YouTube and Instagram, I receive lots of feedback.
Even ME, as someone who enjoys their art, is constantly blown away by the feedback.
This also happens when I paint outside. Passerby’s comments are many times positive, while I feel lie “I have no idea what I’m doing” haha.
Why the artist curse occurs
I believe there are several reasons for why we (for the most part) simply can’t enjoy our art in the same way others can.
Process – We slowly see our painting come together. During the process, it’s easy to lose track of the vision. It’s easy not to be able to see how this mess in front of us is supposed to turn into a beautiful piece of art.
Others come by and see it for the first time with fresh eyes. They quite literally see it better.
Lack of objectivity – Because we are the artist, the creator, it’s hard being objective about our work, and seeing it for what it is.
This also connects to…
Familiarity – Not being able to “smell ourselves”. It’s hard for us to recognize our own style, strengths and tendencies. We are simply too close to the picture.
Many have commented about how they loved my style, and how it’s really distinctive. But – to this day I don’t really see it. All I can do is create as best as I can. But on the other hand – it does appear to have its own style.
The funny irony
Mark pointed this out, and it made me laugh as I was able to relate.
Usually, the artists who have the most doubts and shyness around their skills, are the ones who make among the most beautiful kind of art.
I would assume this isn’t 100% true, but from what I personally experienced so far it’s darn close to that.
On the other hand, artists who seem to have this blind confidence, also tend to have some series weaknesses in their style, technique or skills.
Living with the curse
There are several solutions to alleviate the artist curse. I suspect that due to the nature of objectivity, it never completely goes away. But you can definitely ease the symptoms.
1. Use second hand impression. Share your are with others in a manner that allows them to be objective. Instagram is great for that.
This way you’ll slowly learn what others respond to. You still won’t be able to necessarily enjoy your art as much as others, but you’ll definitely learn more about how it’s accepted by others.
2. Find OBJECTIVE criteria. Judge your art based on objective criteria and signs. Here are some good examples from the visual art world – “Is my drawing accurate? Is this angle correct? Is this the right value? Does the color express what I wanted it to?”
There you have it! Well, that last one may be a little more subjective haha. But you get the point.
And if you come from a different artistic background – try and find your objective criteria!
3. If you are very shy and unconfident about your art – I would suggest learning to become better at ACCEPTING compliments and taking them at face value (gee, looks like someone DOES like your artwork!).
4. If you feel like you have nothing more to learn, and your work is fabulous, I’d suggest asking for some opinions by others and seeing if they match your beliefs. If they do – mad props!
5. Finally – have fun! Art isn’t perfect. We all express what we want, in the ways we can. Above all I want you to enjoy what you produce (:
And with that being said, time to move into the artist corner!
Artist Corner
Today I talked about John Constable, a renowned British oil painter who lived from 1776 to 1837.
He was a landscape painter who worked in the traditional oil style. Among his best works is “Wivenhoe Park”. This is also the first painting of his that I came across.
John wasn’t financially successful. He gained more popularity after he passed away. His work was embraced in France even more than in the UK.
He mostly painted scenes from the Dedham Vale, the area surrounding his home. It is now known as “Constable Country”.
You can read more about him on Wikipedia: John Constable
And also check out “Wievenhoe Park”
As a side-note, I also recommended Alvaro Castagnet – as an artist who does seem to enjoy his own art like others, with lot’s of confident. Check out his work here: Alvaro Castagnet.
And Here’s where you can find me (:
You can support me on Patreon
Or ask me questions on Instagram – @LironYanIL or Snapchat – @LironYan3
And this is it. I hope you enjoyed this episode, and I’ll talk to you again real soon!
This also connects to…
The fear of failure or not meeting expectations can be paralyzing, preventing artists from exploring new ideas and pushing their boundaries. Moreover, the curse of artistic inspiration can also create a sense of isolation. Artists may struggle to find others who truly understand the depth and complexity of their ideas. Feeling disconnected from the rest of society, they may find it difficult to relate to others and express themselves fully. This isolation can further exacerbate the internal pressure and self-doubt, creating a vicious cycle that hinders artistic growth. Despite the challenges it presents, the curse of artistic inspiration is not without its rewards. When artists are able to navigate through the pressures and self-doubt, they can achieve a profound sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. The act of creating something from one's innermost thoughts and emotions is a cathartic process, allowing artists to express their unique perspectives and make a lasting impact on the world. Ultimately, the curse of artistic inspiration is a complex and deeply personal experience. It is a constant battle between the desire to create and the fear of not being good enough. Artists must learn to embrace the inspiration while also managing the challenges that come with it. By finding support networks, seeking inspiration from diverse sources, and allowing themselves to take breaks when needed, artists can overcome the curse and harness their inspiration to create meaningful and impactful work..
Reviews for "The Highs and Lows of Artistic Genius: The Curse of Inspiration"
1. John - 2/5
I was really looking forward to reading "The curse of artistic inspiration" as I am a fan of the author's previous works. However, I was greatly disappointed by this book. The plot was all over the place, with no clear direction or purpose. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, and I found myself not caring about their fate at all. The writing style was also quite confusing, making it difficult to follow and understand what was happening. Overall, I found "The curse of artistic inspiration" to be a tedious and uninspiring read.
2. Sarah - 1/5
I cannot express how much I disliked "The curse of artistic inspiration". The story was incredibly slow-paced and lacked any depth or substance. The characters were poorly developed and their actions and motivations felt random and inconsequential. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard for me to engage with the story. Additionally, the author's attempt at incorporating artistic themes and metaphors fell flat, adding nothing to the overall narrative. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Mark - 2/5
"The curse of artistic inspiration" had a promising premise, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of tedious descriptions and minimal action. The plot felt disjointed and poorly executed, leaving me confused and unsatisfied. Furthermore, the characters lacked depth and their interactions felt forced and contrived. I was expecting a thought-provoking exploration of artistic inspiration, but instead, I got a convoluted and unengaging story. I regret picking up this book and wished I had spent my time reading something else.
4. Emily - 2/5
I found "The curse of artistic inspiration" to be rather underwhelming. The writing style was dry and lacked any emotional depth or evocative descriptions. The story itself lacked a clear focus and meandered aimlessly, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The characters felt distant and unrelatable, and there were no significant stakes or consequences to their actions. Overall, the book felt like a missed opportunity to explore the complexities of artistic inspiration in a meaningful and engaging way. I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.