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jdean
Posts:27
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| 12/02/2007 11:23 PM |
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Fantastic topic!
Do you think an artist who has depression
reflects this in their work? (If his general temperament tends
toward the depressive side.) Is it a reason for their creative side
in the first place? (Don't think so. Depression mutes creativity.)
I
think it's important to make a few distinctions between a person's
general personality or temperament and episodes of depression. It's
also important to distinguish between the fleeting emotions of sadness,
grief, frustration, etc. and what's commonly understood as 'clinical
depression'; even distinguishing clinical depression from a certain
state of "burnout," boredom, or any other relatively short-lived state
of mind where the creative well seems dry, but which can generally be
cured by taking a short break, forcing yourself to work, doing
something different, etc.
One
of the symptoms of clinical depression is the inability to do anything,
let alone 'do art.' That's why I say 'depression mutes creativity,'
just like it does any motivation to actively participate in one's own
life.
But clinical depression aside, I believe that a person's general
personality tends to be reflected in his artwork, along with his
outlook on life and his interpretation of his place in society. So if a
person's general temperament or personality tends toward the gloomy,
sullen, or morose, that'll defnitely show up in his work whether he
chooses it to or not. Additionally, anyone can choose to paint themes
related to sad feelings, situations, etc. - perhaps felt in the past -
something I'm doing now in some of my work - doing that, regardless of
how he feels while he paints. Depression as an available choices of
subject matter and the reasons behind painting them would be the only
connection I can see between 'depression' any any creative drive.
Note I didn't say, "an artist's general personality or temperament" in
my opening paragraph. I didn't qualify myself because I don't believe
artist's have a corner on the market as far as creativity - or
emotional sensitivity, in as much as it might have something to do with
creative expression. The reproduction imperative not considered, I'd
even venture to say that being creative is part and parcel to every
human being's makeup, (albeit not necessarily a developed trait and not
necessarily expressed through art), and may be more related to a
person's adeptness at problem-solving than anything else - something
more that becomes more difficult if not impossible with depression.
Cheers!
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OkieArt
Posts:6
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| 12/05/2007 11:52 AM |
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Sometimes I like to dwell in that dark place..theres comfort in solitude. Sometimes, if not to just walk out into the blistering sunshine that contrasts... Its part of the dynamic of the human spirit. I have to fully explore every crevice within me in order to find fulfillment in my art,and in my life. Depression is a tool for me, but every emotion is. The art that I create is my translation of those emotions, and that energy is absorbed into the finished work that lay before me. Does it speak? When it speaks, Does it laugh, cry, sigh? Does it shout in anger or is it simply still and peaceful?
Its the contrasts of every passing day that help me to approach each piece with this sort of honesty and openness. I'm ready and welcome for every emotion. Each one in its own trueness has a beauty worth recording. |
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"Art is the window to man's soul" ~ Elanore Roosevelt |
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River
Posts:360
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| 12/06/2007 1:29 AM |
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..took back off  . |
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futurecreations
Posts:28
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| 12/21/2007 4:45 PM |
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| I believe that an artists mood will more often than not be reflected in their work, but I don't think it is necessarily the reason for an artists creativity at all times...the entire concept could get pretty deep. I know when I am depressed I don't want to do ANYTHING! The last bout of off-colored emotion I dealt with I forced myself to express some of this in artwork...So, in a sense, depression was the reason for my darker art, however, for the most part I am happy and feeling good when I am creating art. I would post some of my darker art...but, like my mood at the time, it's rather ugly! |
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claudiamah
Posts:86
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| 01/01/2008 10:57 AM |
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| Occasionally I will scan the forums to see the most popular topics of interest, whether I'm interested in the topic or not. It was astounding that over 900 viewers accessed this topic! I wonder if this is an important issue with the creative-driven personality? Just an observation. |
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dawnhatchett
Posts:5
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| 01/13/2008 9:28 PM |
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I do believe that artistic people tend to battle depression, I have my entire life. Just found ways to deal with it. I will go months without painting when I am depressed but will turn to crochet, cooking, sculpting or something else. Depression has forced me to my knees on more than one occasion where I spend alot of time praying. It is a comfort to have found this forum and to see that we all share some of the same struggles.
Thank you all! |
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Peace through Art |
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dawnhatchett
Posts:5
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| 01/13/2008 9:34 PM |
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depression case in point: |
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Peace through Art |
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Rosie
Posts:263
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| 01/15/2008 7:41 AM |
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I sort of agree that depression drains creativity...Also I can fall into a more depressed mood when not creating, recently I have gone thru a depressed mood and noticed a complete turn around when an inspiration flooded my soul. Within the time I spent on this recent works I was almost giddy, now that it is finished I look feverishly for another project, feeling empty......Art, drawing, painting, stainglass, wood carving...I need to have to create to keep happy, tobe full of life...I don't try to make my art look troubled by feelings or to make the observer wonder what I was thinking or feeling, yet. There are alot of great art that has that untold story to it. The story wanting to be told. I just can't see that those works were done while depressed...after maybe to tell the story.
Rosie |
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Use the pointy end............ |
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mikec@pols
Posts:698
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| 01/31/2008 5:13 PM |
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In general I think artists are more aware of things, the world around them. I think they feel more and express their feelings more than most people. They react to things differently and I believe that they feel more helpless when they can't change the things that they want or need to change.
Case in point- "You know you're an artist when" topic. Look at the 'whens' listed. We are all looking at things diffrently than most. We are aware of things that most let go by...we feel things around us and notice them.
Most people wiil not even notice the little things that we are constantly aware of, let alone take the time to appreciate or wonder at them.
So, is it any wonder that artists might fight depression more than most? We see and feel things that others can't or won't. Maybe we burden ourselves without even knowing it? Afterall, if we see all of the beauty in the world, we are certainly see all of the ugliness that shadows it...
Mike |
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"You either grow or regress...nothing stays the same...." (unknown)
"A man may fall several times in life, but he is not a failure until he says that he was pushed..."
www.portraitsoflifestudio.com |
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mariart
Posts:55
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| 02/01/2008 1:03 AM |
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| that comment by one who sees about children was so true. I was told years ago by an older artist to paint what is closest to you. So instead of seeing family as a hindrance to your creativity use it. Its the same with anything close to you and your daily exisistance, its amazing how you overlook the most basic of subjects which can lead to amazing discoveries, which is what art is about. Im very fortunate I dont sink into depressin too often but the friends I have that are artists that do, are at their most stable self when creating art. |
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hc_17
Posts:3
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| 02/03/2008 9:24 AM |
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I'm so glad people are using this forum to help each other and share their feelings and thoughts. As i stated when i first started this thread, i originally wanted to hear other peoples thoughts on depression in artists for an Art project i was working on, i got 98/100 an A, and the best grade in my year. I would like to thank everyone for their help and as i suffer from depression myself, know how important it is to talk about it, and would like people to carry on talking to each other and sharing their views on the matter, Thank again  |
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PJ Dennie
Posts:39
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| 04/23/2008 3:01 PM |
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| I skimmed through all of the comments because I just wanted to put a brief note of my own here, I believe depression does "make" our work. I usually push myself to pick up a brush and do something on that canvas. I put on my favorite mood music and try very hard to slip into the work. I have my art has saved many a long day of depression misery by allowing me to slip off and away from the daily grind. What happens to my work as a result of the depressed mindset can often times be very surprising, I have been amazed at how the piece is somewhat other than I envisioned it and usually better. Weird I know, but there you are, one artists experience. |
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Paula |
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