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Creative Authenticity

How Our Creativity Suffers When We Try to Live Up to the Myth of the Artist

By Dan Goodwin

There are many highly creative characters in literature, film and culture that portray life as an artist as being a violent turbulent struggle against inner demons punctuated with the occasional flourish of thrilling creativity.

Life as a creative individual, we’re told, is incredibly rewarding in the high times but has ruined many a man and woman by its accompanying desire for self-sabotage and self-destruction.

Depression, failed relationships, loneliness, alienation, alcoholism and drug addiction all are common amongst life stories of highly creative artists.

So we develop this picture of the artist as enigmatic and highly gifted, but who will inevitably be totally unhappy and destroy himself in the end.

Of course some of these clichés are based in truth. But how can EVERY artist who creates be prone to exactly the same failings? Surely every artist that has ever lived, as every person who has ever lived, has been a unique individual?

Is it not a dishonour and an insult to any artist, in fact to any person, to pre-judge them and to assume to know the traits of their personality, just because they create?

But possibly the most damaging aspect of all to this collective and romanticised image of the artist is that we start to believe that the only way WE can be a genuine artist ourselves is to follow this blueprint.

We may feel that even though we’re highly creative and produce consistent, interesting, stimulating work, unless we have the accompanying unhappiness, failings or addictions, then somehow we’re not “authentic artists."

But what does “authentic” actually mean? Surely it means being true to yourself, to your potential and who you are? So to be an authentic artist we merely need to pursue our own creative passions and desires and seek to honour our unique creative talents.

How many creative artists shy away from revealing or sharing their work because it comes easily to them? This is another part of the myth of the creative artist, the concept of the “painful creative birth."

This myth suggests that unless a creative work was incredibly difficult to produce and involved the artist going through all kinds of torment and suffering before the work finally came into being, it has little or no worth as a piece of art.

“Creating shouldn’t be easy!” it cries. But again this is just part of a dangerous myth. For those who do create consistently and easily, however dedicated and committed they are, they may feel again they are somehow not “authentic”, and their work somehow has less value as a result.

It’s simply not true! Any great creative work that connects with, moves, excites, and inspires people does so on its own merit and in its own way.

If we see a beautiful painting we don’t hold judgment until we’ve read the complete biography of the painter! If we hear an exciting record, we don’t wait to read the sleevenotes, a list of instruments and equipment used in its production, and the complete school reports of its creators before we allow ourselves to enjoy it!

Beautiful, affecting art is beautiful affecting art, whatever the history behind it.

So next time you feel you’re not an “authentic artist” because your life doesn’t live up to some creative myth of how artists should be, remember that each creative work stands on its own merits.

Forget the myths and focus on how YOU can be the best possible artists you can be, and truly honour your own unique creative talents. •

© Copyright 2006 Dan Goodwin

About the Author | More by Dan Goodwin
Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin is the author of “Create Create!”, a FREE twice monthly ezine for people who want simple and powerful articles, tips and exercises to help them unleash their creative talents. Sign up right now and get your FREE “Explode Your Creativity!” Action Workbook, at www.CoachCreative.com.

09/04/06