It’s not much of an observation to say that a lot of artists are crazy, but it’s interesting to observe that few successful ones are.
That is contrary to commonly held myths about artists. That’s what makes it interesting.
It was my recent experience on Whidbey Island that prompts me to say this. I met a lot of successful artists there. They were successful on every count. They were doing exactly the art they wanted, and they were making decent money.
By “decent money” I mean over fifty thousand a year. Of course, that’s not a lot of money in terms of what it takes to own a home and raise a family in many parts of the US, but if you’re able to live where the real estate is not too expensive and you’re reasonably thrifty on top of that, it can be done. Many people manage on less. Most of the pro artists I met on Whidbey were doing much better than that.
But what struck me about that Washington group is something I’ve noticed again and again in other places with other publicly successful artists. They were not just calm and friendly people, they were genuine social adepts. These people were all highly tuned to their audiences; indeed, what was singularly remarkable was not their ferocious independence but their sense of community with the human race.
I don’t know if we can thank Freud for the notion that neurosis is helpful to an artist, but that notion does not accord with my own experiences with artists.
I look at the crazy ones with their messes and incomplete projects compared to the order of the power studios; I look at the nervous smiles of poor sellers compared completely natural engagement of the big sellers, and I know.
I’m on to something.
So to complete the list of why artists don’t make it we have:
1. The art is technically inferior.
2. The message is either boring or disagreeable.
3. The artist does not even try to sell.
4. The artist does not produce enough.
5. The artist wants too much money.
6. The artist is crazy.
The last undercuts them all.
Freud was wrong. Success in the arts is directly proportional to sanity.
The best and most successful artists are some of the sanest people you will ever meet.
Of course, one might ask, how is it, exactly, that craziness reduces one’s chance for success?
I can think of a recent example from my own life in which I tried to help an excellent artist but was rebuffed by insane suspicions about my intentions and unprovoked attacks on my character.
A guy can only take so much.
But that’s something crazy people do. They live life like it’s a script for suicide, and so they always make wrong choices at critical junctures — like ruining friendships by failing to understand social boundaries.
How does one handle such people? I genuinely want to learn because it’s obvious to me that a lot of artists are troubled beings, and if they could just get it together socially, they’d have so many more chances to win.
Interestingly enough, being an artist probably curbed what I believe are my rather eccentric habits and actions – it’s as if I now have a proper outlet for my need to express myself. With that, it actually made me more social and somewhat outgoing, opposite of what I am before I decided to seriously pursue art. I seem quite well-adjusted even if I worked on something that would make people who don’t know me think otherwise hahah.
Artists are insane. Every human being with a pulse is insane. We truly don’t wish to be understood. That’s boring. We all wish to be respected for what we create – creativity and art is sadly mistaken for talent/uniqueness. Ability and desire to adapt to and explore diverse environments can be important some, while others firmly believe in staying in one area physically, and mentally throughout their lifespan. Then there are architects whose EDUCATION, TRAINING, and INCOME are all based on what what other people would want to see. Improper grammar and punctuation is a crucial judgemental factor of bonding for some. Artists wish to be deemed as great by means of their (perceived) fascinating sculpting style (for an example)… With a desire for riches… Because all other humans are receiving excessive, undue credit for what they do in life. Oi.
Who cares what people say think or do just do what you love. I believe that we are all crazy in our own way and we find away to let it out to show the world maybe its art writing or braking pictures throwing stuff glass whatever it is your showing the world or just yourself that you have no borderlines your free to do what you feel and please. Life’s to short to care so just let it all out no matter what!!
Rex Crockett ,you are full of sh….! talking about “crazy” artists and comparing them with the “power studios”. Who the hell would use that term except someone that probably does commercial decorative art and lives in America. Of course, It has to be all black or all white. What’s crazy is that this discourse has been going on for 4 years. What did you do in those 4 years? Did you change your mind? Probably hanging out with your little Bourgeois gallery owners. The ones that pay thousands of dollars for a new painting of some “art brut” genius. Don’t you remember that 10 years ago there was a big wave of “outsider art” that was selling like crazy. Don’t you remember Jean Dubuffet and his praise of crazy art. Rex Crockett,you don’t know anything about art. It’s process as much as it’s market. Thank you and good night!
sorry for the mistakes, I ‘m french!
The fact is that a true artists would never want to simply share,he or she wishes only to share, to give a piece of his soul for other to contemplate and share with them his beliefs, his passion and most intimate beliefs. an artist want to move and change the way the world flows giving his knowledge,his experience and effort to the society for the wellbeing of it.
and of course, same as anyone an artists needs to make a living, or perish and get destroyed. but the point is, so called madness is no more than true sight, appreciate the reality from all his corners, and not only from the given ones; the ones that tell you-that is good, that is right-that is bad, thats uncorrect.
just sharing what I believe, and I’m tired and not English but hope you get it.
I meant The fact is that a true artists would never want to simply sell lol nn
i agree with seb_p and lolboy above. What makes someone a good or legit artist is not how successful or rich they are. Have you SEEN the MoMA?? i saw a million dollar WHITE CANVAS hung up. Some squares in frames. I could go on and on. Also, many nutso writers, artists, musicians and such died way before their names were even known. Sometimes its the suicide that makes the fame, and the work recognition comes later by the few who saw it as fascinating. Hint hint Poe….the artists who are all skill (can paint a nice common vase of flowers that will appeal to everyone) will make more money. Visionary artists, with the right connections will make money too. Artists who draw cave images will make money with the right connections too. Ever been to a comic book store? Ever watched a disney cartoon? Ever looked at toys at a toy store? Ebay?? Etsy????????
I do not think artists are crazy. I think they’re too sane. That’s why they’re capable of suffering in this rather mad world. And you exalt the successful artist as paragons of sanity; that may be. Mostly, success in art involves obvious talent with a viable niche in this constantly morphing market and lot of luck. And the reasonably successful artists of your reference are mediocre artists but clever self-promoters that appeal the mediocre taste of the masses.