I get it, artists make for better movie material, because you can see, read, or hear their progress. If movies were about teenagers who loved math there wouldn't parental disapproval and no one wants to watch the intensity of solving really tough theoretical problems on a white board..... well unless its Good Will Hunting.
Anyway I shall get to it, here are 10 of the BIG MYTHS about artists, and "truths' behind them.
10. Artist do art because they can't do anything else.
MYTH: I really don't know when this became a logical thought process for people. People are not so unskilled that they can only do one thing with their lives. They way someone becomes an artist is through several steps; first, they really like art, second, they spend most of their time doing art, third, they can make enough money (or are otherwise financially supported) with their art. Those things make you an artist, and if you like it, and your lucky enough to be able to do it, then why wouldn't you? If they liked something else more than art they would do that instead. There's no reason why a sculptor couldn't also be a landscaper, the only difference is no one would think the landscaper was inept at everything else...
9. Artists are bad at other things, such as math or science because art does not play well with other interests.
MYTH: This has also confused me, but its not true about all forms of art, in fact many people believe that mathematical ability translates well into musical ability, but that's more of an exception to the rule. New Media has especially proven this Myth wrong. Many new media artists, are innovators when it comes to taking scientific advancement and integrating it into our daily lives. They work with, projections, light, sound and movement sensors, virtual reality, 3D imaging, interactive sculpture, electronic architecture, and the list goes on and on and on. Remember "Americas Got Talent' where it was a dancer/choreographer who made the technology for the Team iLuminate?
8. Artists are socially awkward because of their crazy or reclusive personalities.
MYTH: Is anybody not weird, really? No one is normal, no one is outgoing and happy all the time, but for some reason artists have this exclusive right to being "out there." As if art was some sort of reason for weirdness. The only grain of truth I can find in this is that some people might think artists are odd because we get inspired at odd times. Art isn't really a 9-5 thing, and like many other professions, you have to strike while the iron is hot, and get to work while the idea is still fresh in your memory. So if the artist you know is suddenly deep in thought, or leaves the party because he has to go home and jot something down, well, that might be odd; other than that artists are pretty normal, and there is only one crazy odd and reclusive person out of twenty other socially adjusted people.
7. Artists don't have real work ethic, they just work when they feel "inspired."
MYTH: Well, yes, I have met this breed of artists, but to be completely honest, they don't last much longer after they get out of college. Any working artist will tell you that "inspiration" is not consistent, nor is it always relevant to what your working on, and that they keep working and pushing through even when they are not inspired, just like everybody else. Artists actually need to have a really high work ethic because they are self employed. There's no boss leaning over your shoulder, and unless you push yourself, you don't make anything, and then your starve, and then you die.
6. Artist use their pain to fuel artistic works.
Myth with some Truth: First the myth part. Pain is not the only source of inspiration/drive, and its definitely not the best motivator. When artists are in pain, like everybody else, that usually leads to not wanting to do anything except heal. If you are even able to still make art, sometimes it helps, and sometimes it doesn't. The reality in this one is that pain usually leads to growth, and then to understanding/enlightenment about the situation, and a new kind of truth or perspective that the artist wants to share. So pain does not always equal lots of good art, growth and understanding does.
5. Artists are more likely to be substance abusers, and lead unhealthy lifestyles.
MYTH: I'm pretty sure this one gets around because of two reasons. 1. People think artists use substance abuse to get inspired, 2. People think artists can maintain a lifestyle that other professions wouldn't allow. Now there is a cult of post show/performance partying where there is lots of substance abuse, however, artists are no more prone to being a substance abuser than any other heavy partyers you know. So next time you meet an artist, don't assume. Also, we exercise, just like everybody else.
4. Artists are not good with relationships/unfaithful.
MYTH: No idea where this one comes from, but to date, I have found zero truth to this myth. Artists fall into the same category as everybody else in the relationship zone. I usually just chalk it up to the few artists who have sensationalized biographies.
3. After the Artist goes through a long dry spell they will suddenly produce a masterpiece out of the blue and in a very short period of time.
MYTH: Um no. Just no. All excellent art comes from practice, many drawings, sketches, studies, rehearsals, fine tuning, self editing, critique, observation and back breaking effort. The piece itself may only take to minutes to make or preform, but there is a lifetime of preparation for any masterpiece.
2. All artists have natural talent which makes them good.
MYTH: I really wish we could just get rid of the word talent. Talent exists when your still under twenty. Talent is the tiny spark, that got you started, after that you are on your own. EVERY SINGLE ARTIST WORKED THEIR BUTT OFF DURING HOURS AND HOURS OF PRACTICE! So don't act like the only difference between you and the artist is their "talent." NO the difference between you and the artist is a lifetime of practice, education, sacrifice and dedication to/for their craft. Talent is not magic fairy dust, artistic education requires the same amount of effort as any other form of education, and a successful artist, put in the same number of hours as a successful businessman. Their success did not come any easier because of "talent.' I really believe people confuse talent with style, style is individuality that is developed over years of honing ones skills.
AND NOW FOR THE BIGGEST MYTH ABOUT ARTISTS
1. Art is always enjoyable and never hard because the Artist loves making art and it comes naturally.
MYTH: I have been fighting this one my whole life, and it is the one that drives me the most insane. When did loving ones job, mean that an artist never suffered, never felt the grind of a hard days work. I'm going to speak for myself, but I am positive this applies to all artists. Yes, I love what I do, but there are days, nights, weeks, months, of exhausting work, where I am mentally and physically drained. When your an artist there are no easy solutions to problems, you want to move on, or do something else, but you can't, you have deadlines a performances coming up, and there is no one, no book, no video, who can tell you how to solve your problems, or unblock your artistic block. Also unless your Jeff Koons, or Damian Hurst, most artists don't have a factory of helpers to do the menial time consuming labor, so every project has parts of it that are all work and very little art. All working artists also commit their time to marketing and advertising. All artists lead double lives working as entrepreneurs, trying to sell their talent. Some weeks we're not doing art at all, we have to network, fill out applications, make bids to work on projects or get a booking, and did I mention the stiff competition? Mothers have kids because they love them, but that doesn't mean its sunshine and roses all the time. Point of this very long rant, you can love something, but that never makes it easy.
Well that is all for a long while, and I'm really glad to get it off my chest, phew. As a side note, I'm not saying that being an artist is the most difficult thing in the world. I just want equal respect for artists that other professionals have.
