Why Artists Are (Almost) Never Happy

Isolation, obsession, and despair - we see a lot of the negative sides of experience lived out in great artists of the past and presence. But it isn't all bad. In this video I hope some people will see some chat that aligns with their own experience of their creative practice, and also find value in some of the forms of salvation that we can see play out in the artists featured.

Peace and love to all those watching as always.
Will

Chapters:
00: Intro
02:40 What are you running from?
10:30 Compelling realities
18:10 On the cost of truth
26:32 Forms of salvation
29:56 Your work as gift

[wiktorkokosik]

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.”
― Kurt Vonnegut

[Strixs]

"I'm so burnt out from being disappointed in what I make, that I might as well not make anything anymore". This was the attitude I had in the past year, but I just wanna be on the road to improvement now.

[KonJonnorMusic]

"It's harder to be in the world, but thats the gift."

[NotSoNormal]

I suffer severe mental illness. And I am an artist. My hobby is collecting hobbies. But the thing is, I have produced my best work when I have been well. You don't need deep depression to have passion. And maybe the darkness I have gone through does effect the works I put out. But in an ideal world, I would never go through another episode of depression. Life is precious. And I have lost so much time to my illness. Even if it impacted my work, I would rather be well than lose more time to it. Life is more than whatever art I can produce. And life is fleeting.

[caleb]

“the greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.” that’s why ignorance is thought to be bliss, but i think its really death.

[theriguyayylmao]

I think people often conflate satisfaction with happiness you can be perfectly happy and make good art and still be dissatisfied and disappointed with what you create. It’s that hunger to strive for something greater that pushes creatives to continue and to grow. This chronic dissatisfaction can lead to sadness but being unhappy in and of itself is certainly not the key to creativity

[studiosandi]

I am a visual artist. I typically focus on things that are pleasing and to me feel good because inside of my mind is a very dark place.
Creating beauty and pleasing visual images help me stay out of that very dark place.

[harderway]

We were deeply traumatized and badly hurt, mostly during the childhood. Creating art is the way for us (sometimes the only way possible) to survive and find any meaning in life. We want to show the world how we feel deep inside because it's often too damn hard to just say it out loud. We want to make this world a bit more beautiful, because we know well how dark and painful the life and very existence can sometimes be. We're damaged, broken and sensitive people and it hurts a lot when we see others suffering - people, animals, this planet...Life being hurt and destroyed by injustice, greed, war, ugliness of any kind. We want to express, deal with, explain, fix, transform, help, make you feel and see the way we feel and see. But we're full of fears and doubts, that's why our work is "never good enough" and hours and days of drought, when one's simply not able to create, are the most terrifying; then, we tend to suffer a lot, drink a lot, take drugs and do countless of other stupid things. But when we finally finish a piece and it's good, and we know it's good, we get a lot of peace and joy in return, so all the previous struggle actually worth it. But it doesn't last long.

[kaimac]

I think maintaining a peaceful mindset in the modern age can be a complex and interesting struggle, art that strives for peace through difficult times, recognizing the full spectrum of experience but choosing to focus on the positive

[gabudaichamuda]

I'm 37. I've spent my entire life living on the belief that I could never be anything at all, based on what I was told by doctors, the school system, and even my own parents. The only thing that survived the abuse, neglect, and isolation was my creativity. LEGO bricks. Drawing. Clay sculpture.

I've been working garbage jobs since I was 24. After I left the abuse of my stepfather, my mother continued to manipulate and lie to me, keeping me restrained from over 800 miles away. For the last 13 years, I couldn't figure out why I couldn't draw anymore. I've been struggling ever since then. Especially in the last six years when I began the painful process of quitting my addiction, and realized that the only reason I am in this position is because of a failure on my parents' part, and having zero encouragement from others. It's made me bitter, hateful, and filled with spite.

I just want to be left alone to draw and figure myself out.

[kabletelevision]

I wish dancers and choreographers were more represented in these types of videos. We are also artists as well.

[TokyoArtObjects]

This was good, some things he left out, ditch the ego, want approval, but don’t go “needing” it. Life is short, not every artists needs to share their output, narcissism is overrated and overwhelming. Breath. Live. Play your game, stay in your lane, observe’ don’t absorb. Better to reflect, then shine. Listen to understand, leave your opinion and don’t look back, if you think you have a solution, you’re part of the problem. All dogs go to heaven.

[EliseFreshwaterBlizzard]

This channel feels like a breath of fresh air and feels so validating, thank you

[Anonymous-owjz]

As an artist myself, I love the description of "hauntingly beautiful" for my work. And I'm sure I'm not alone with this. The reality of life is it is not a naive fantasy, but rather brief moments of happiness clouded by the monotony of the mundane and the tragedies of a cruel, seemingly apathetic universe. That is why there must always be a tinge of sorrow in the most beautiful works of art, such is an allegory for life. Else is just a vain, shallow depiction of a world without brokenness or depravity.

[taylorforrestmusic]

Bro something about this style of video seemed different in a great way. I’m FULL of inspiration, not sure why but you did something amazing with this one. Thank you dude

[BrandinoTheGod]

I've always said that being an artist is both a blessing and a curse. Much like the concept of Ying and yang, without darkness there is no light, without sadness, you can't appreciate and truly feel happiness and so on. Most of us Artists view our craft as much more of an escape or outlet as opposed to work or a job and typically it's the darkness we tap into to create our brightest works. Personally I've managed to turn my craft into my career but that comes with a cost and often a huge percentage of my sanity and mental well being. The biggest fear for me is not the sacrifice itself but making that sacrifice and still never reaching my full potential or financial success/recognition I know I'm capable and deserving of. Being a true artist is the most beautiful trainwreck youve ever seen. I feel like to be a great artist you almost have to be atleast a little batshit crazy lol. I wouldn't have it any other way though regardless.

[breakfastclosed]

I don’t know many other Youtubers who pull as many sources as you, and it is very valuable to me, but equally as much is your own input.
Your content is so important, it feels really refreshing.
Thank you and your hard work does not go unnoticed.

[valeriequinn]

“It’s not what you create but who you become by creating it.” I think that was a Ram Dass quote and I think of this every time I am stuck on a project. I am creating something that has never existed before & I am figuring out the process, developing skills, making mistakes & learning as I go. If I actually finish something I start, the feeling of satisfaction is beyond measure and helps me keep going when I’m stuck on the next project. I’m never the same afterwards and always curious as to who I will become next 💜

[katherineelizabethco]

During a bipolar support group meeting we got to talking about if given a choice would we trade our desire to make art with no bipolar. Everyone, without hesitation, said they would gladly trade in order to be mentally healthy, free from depression, anxiety and agitated mania.

[TickityBoo]

Thanks for this intelligent and well put together video - it is greatly appreciated!I have bipolar, anxiety and aphantasia (can’t visualise images in my mind), and my life as an artist/illustrator (and graphic designer) has been very mentally and emotionally challenging. I only visualise in my sleep but can pull together concepts when awake. Most of the time, I don’t find comfort when creating - I feel torn, pressured, mentally crippled/challenged and sometimes overwhelmed. However, when I’m in full flow my world is an iridescent orb of possibilities.