“It’s About the Struggle:” New Book Goes Inside the Creative Process | Amanpour and Company

When Adam Moss, the former award-winning New York Magazine editor, made the switch to painting, he became fascinated with the question of how artists make great pieces. In his new book "The Work of Art," Moss delves into the minds of creatives and their artistic process. He joins the show to share his observations.

Originally aired on July 8, 2024

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[d.christopher]

Adam's distillation of the Creative and the creative process is in itself inspirational, each point a healthy reminder to "relish the making". It seems he has pulled together under one title everything that makes an artist, including the normalcy of toggling in fits and starts, imagination and discipline, getting in your own way for the sake of self-protection, the many meanings of spiritual (esp. believing in oneself), absolutely owning failure and perseverance like Wile E. Coyote, and to remember to simply enjoy the core of creating. I will add a small note of never comparing yourself to others. Your original work may not be understood by anyone else, but it is uniquely yours and in that sense, like you, it is absolutely 'One with Greatness'.

[kevinjenner]

“There is nothing that says more about its creator than the work itself”….Akira Kurosawa

[mariapeagler]

My painting coach told me I needed to be as analytical about my art as I am in my business. That was a revelation. I thought I could just show up, have fun, and achieve the result I wanted. Ha! It doesn't work that way. Can't wait to read this!!

[KlingbergWingMkII]

With that "squiggle" the architect gave us a wonderful view into how his brain (and those of most creatives) actually works. It is a view few of us ever see. The really hard uphill battles come from trying to turn what the brain "sees" into reality.

[allisonferber]

This sounds like a wonderful book. Lovely to hear the author speak about it. So many things to think about.

[michaellundy]

Fascinating discussion. Proves no one knows a thing about the subject at all. Except the artist themself.

[jbirdz]

Can’t wait to dive in! Definitely resonates.

[joannejohnson]

A great interview, interesting topic and worth reading I think
Enjoyed it 😊

[scaramouche]

The last section of “Andrei Rublev, ” is about the building of a bell in 15th century Russia. Its maker, a young teenage boy, feels that “exultation” on having created such a masterful work; he breaks down sobbing and reveals a secret (which I’m leaving out because it would be a spoiler). The entire section shows this boy’s process, his struggle, his stubbornness. One of the masterpieces of cinema by Andrei Tarkovsky.

[songOmatic]

Good stuff!

If you're interested in a slightly different take on this, try Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act.

[velvetbees]

Every work of art is a self portrait. You have to start somewhere. I started fifty years ago with a tole painting class. Learn what good composition is. Try to replicate masters like Monet. You can learn a lot about art by trying to replicate their paintings. You can even repaint just a part of a painting. This is just to build skills. It makes you figure out how to paint. Keep building your understanding of techniques of different forms of art. Use good paint if you can afford it. Good art pencils and pens, etc. If not, use what you can. If you give up completely, that happens too. Be careful to select good videos to learn from. Eventually you will find your artistic voice. I just struggled for two days on a painting and finally gave up tonight. I will start with something new tomorrow. Done it many times.

[MsSarah]

As long as you are "trying" to be an artist you will never be one. You must "be" an artist.

[fontainerouge]

The self-sabotage is to end the gamble of betting years of work on an endeavor that might never pay off.

[renzo]

What is talent?
What does it mean to have talent?

[totonow]

It's the ability to endure neoliberalism - austerity 7:00.
Because perhaps 16:20 painting is about drive and perhaps you were looking for desire / object á.

[deepashtray]

When did "Creative" become a noun?

[bagobeans]

What makes art great? Even bad art is done by so called "good" artists.

[k.e.becquer]

"...God or some other worldly inspiration..." Hmm... but I like the interview anyway.

[TomdeSabla]

Wow that's great! Americans are about to create really great art!

Because, you know, it's about the struggle.

Thanks for all you have done for us great unwashed Americans Christiane!

Think of us when you tip your driver, your shopper, and your sommelier.

[lala-do]

Thanks for your inspiration! How do you deal with creative blocks? 🔥😛