Why Artists Have Vices

Let me define my use of the term “artist” for you. An artist is anyone who works in any type of art medium. That is, your standard “artist”, such as a painter, but also writers, photographers, directors, musicians, actors, chefs, etc. I consider myself an artist, and the majority of my friends and family are as well. We have a bad rep in general, so let me break this down for you in order for you to better “understand” us.

Everyone knows the stereotypes of artists: whiny, usually young(ish), hipster-types, who claim that they’re misunderstood and just want everyone to love them. This is wrong. Okay, well, mostly wrong. Yes, we artists do whine, yes a lot of us are young and we do want people to love us, but not for the reasons most people think.

There is another common stereotype with artists that we have vices, that we’re alcoholics or druggies and the like. This, unfortunately, is often true, but for a very important reason. A lot of people who are the creative artsy types have all kinds of vices to “help” them along in life. They are on medication (prescribed or not), they do drugs (legal and illegal), they suffer from many, many psychological and mental illnesses including but not limited to depression, insomnia, ADD, ADHD, OCD, paranoia, schizophrenia, psychosis, etc.

Why are we this way? It’s simple and complicated at the same time. Our brains will. Not. Stop. Working. Even when we’re asleep (or trying to sleep in some cases). We are constantly thinking of new songs, poems, drawings, stories, camera angles, characters we need to become, or recipes to create. We cannot stop thinking about the best way to do whatever our chosen craft is and we must continue perfecting it until our dying day.

I, personally, procrastinate and sometimes never finish projects because I have an immense fear of failure. And I know that I am not the only one who feels this way. But, regardless of this fear, and because my brain will never stop thinking about creative ideas, I cannot be stifled. Artists must never be stifled. Why? Because, then we fall into the depression, or the alcohol, or we become over-caffeinated. If we don’t have an outlet, we cannot survive.

Sometimes as artists, we need to stifle this creativity when there is too much coming at us at once. Sometimes we are begging on our knees for just a word, a whisper, to help kick-start something new so that we can have that outlet. This does not excuse any actions, or addictions, but it explains them to the people who are not artists.

In most schools, we are taught to think “A” then “B” then “C.” But our artist brains are already on “Q” before you’ve gotten to “D”, and we are plotting and planning on how we can tie that back to “J” in a way that makes sense to other people besides ourselves. There is nothing “wrong” with this way of thinking. There is nothing “wrong” with artists. It is far more than being “misunderstood.” A non-creative person, a non-artist, will never get it. No explanation will ever be sufficient.

For example, when you’re a parent, you can try to explain to someone that moment when you heard your child’s first cry, the tears welling up in your eyes and the goosebumps appearing on your skin as you remember it vividly. But every non-parent will never get it, no matter how detailed or emotional an explanation you give them.

Do not expect an artist to fit into your cute little box of normality. Because our boxes are covered in every color and pattern you can possibly imagine. Our boxes are bigger on the inside. Our boxes are all kinds of different shapes and sizes. Our boxes are filled with countless images and ideas that would make your head explode. Our boxes cover multiple levels and so many dimensions that you can’t even think of. We are not, and never will be, “normal.”

So, the next time you talk to or hang out with an artist, thank them for their work, encourage them, offer constructive criticism if asked. We bleed for our work and it is never, ever good enough for us. We are more often than not way too hard on ourselves and we fear that we will get lost in our work and forget reality. Sadly, our work is sometimes better than our reality, which is why so many artists are depressed or addicted to something. If an artist shows you their work, remember that it is something they are proud of. It is something they have spent many a sleepless night working on, something that they have sometimes literally bled for, and if they want you to see it, to experience it, that is a big freaking deal.

Do not take it lightly.

If an artist asks for an opinion or a review, give it. Honestly. Don’t just tell them “Oh, that’s good.” Tell them why you liked it. Tell them what, specifically you loved and didn’t love about it. How did it make you feel? Did it leave a good or a bad taste in your mouth? What made you cringe? What made you laugh? What made you cry? What could they change to make it that much better? Or do you honestly believe that it is great as it is? Tell them.

Hopefully, this gives at least some insight into the inner workings of artists everywhere and can help you to better understand us “poor unfortunate souls.” Celebrate the differences, don’t ostracize because you don’t think the same. Yes, we are weird. Yes, we will complain. Yes, we will be neurotic and depressed and psychotic. Get over it.

And, here’s a bit for my fellow artists:

StandUp by The Cab