Why Starving Artists Are Starving Artists

I have been thinking lately, that starving artists wouldn't be starving artists if we weren't, well, artists.

I feel like this is why many of the best artists in history only became famous after their tragic untimely deaths. Because look at what defines an artist. Artists are passionate, often intense, and most would likely admit to being somewhat crazy.

Those who can make a living from art are those who are driven and focused enough to work beyond their moods and emotions. They can work 40 hours a week, or more, like it is their full time job. Thus they are more productive, and odds are higher that some good work and monetary rewards will come of that.

The rest, the majority of us (myself included), can't be forced to create. We succumb to our moods or our other whims far too easily. And admit it, fellow artists, we are quite moody. I look back at the great visionaries of the past and realize they too were oft troubled. Van Gogh. Pollock. Warhol. This is just brushing the tip of the iceberg of the many artists who probably would not have been so amazing if they weren't such nuts (and that's putting it nicely, I try to keep my content Rated G).

I often go weeks without painting, sometimes because I just can't stand to look at it anymore. Being so emotionally involved in your work is like being in a really intense relationship, and sometimes you need to step back and take a breather. Sometimes those breathers last longer than a 5 minute smoke break. Sometimes a creative block will last for months. And sometimes when that creative flow is ebbed, you can't, you really can't, do anything about it.

That's why we're all starving artists. We can't help it. It is the way our minds think differently, and like a mad genius it is our success and it is our downfall.