Comments on: The Myth Of The Destructive Artist http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/2008/10/the-myth-of-the-destructive-artist/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed Bird of Ill Repute Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:17:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jess http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/2008/10/the-myth-of-the-destructive-artist/comment-page-1/#comment-55128 Jess Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:27:31 +0000 http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/?p=822#comment-55128 I love what you have to say except for your theory on the origin of the myth. I think that's a load of hogwash. I'm sure you're right that at some point the Protestant work ethic looked down on creatives, but I think that's been over for at least a hundred years. I also think most creatives are unaware of that history. Rather, I do think most creatives originally are drawn to creativity as an outlet for something, and frankly, most things that require indirect outlets are negative or destructive. I think the stereotype became the stereotype because there is, as in all generalizations, a kernel of truth in there somewhere. The majority of creative people I know come from dysfunctional backgrounds of some sort or have some sort of Thing in their past they can't get around and have used their creativity to work through it, etc. Not all. But that's with every generalization. You could say that's the myth being a self-fulfilling prophesy but I doubt it because most of those creatives have also *always* been creatives, and didn't know that if they were going to be creative, they were supposed to be depressed. But I agree with everything you said ABOUT the myth, etc. Just not the root of it. :) I love what you have to say except for your theory on the origin of the myth. I think that’s a load of hogwash. I’m sure you’re right that at some point the Protestant work ethic looked down on creatives, but I think that’s been over for at least a hundred years. I also think most creatives are unaware of that history.

Rather, I do think most creatives originally are drawn to creativity as an outlet for something, and frankly, most things that require indirect outlets are negative or destructive. I think the stereotype became the stereotype because there is, as in all generalizations, a kernel of truth in there somewhere. The majority of creative people I know come from dysfunctional backgrounds of some sort or have some sort of Thing in their past they can’t get around and have used their creativity to work through it, etc. Not all. But that’s with every generalization.

You could say that’s the myth being a self-fulfilling prophesy but I doubt it because most of those creatives have also *always* been creatives, and didn’t know that if they were going to be creative, they were supposed to be depressed.

But I agree with everything you said ABOUT the myth, etc. Just not the root of it. :)

]]> By: Denise http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/2008/10/the-myth-of-the-destructive-artist/comment-page-1/#comment-55110 Denise Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:11:35 +0000 http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com/journal/?p=822#comment-55110 My mother was gifted at drawing and oil painting. She was not self-destructive. She has not pursued her gift for 43 years now. I don't really know why she stopped. It was her choice as my Dad never forbade it. She is the only artist I know well enough to say she's not self-destructive. After Dad passed away I encouraged her to start in again but to no avail. I have met some self-destructive people who were not artists, at least that I know of. The one I know the best is not that way any more TG. My mother was gifted at drawing and oil painting. She was not self-destructive. She has not pursued her gift for 43 years now. I don’t really know why she stopped. It was her choice as my Dad never forbade it. She is the only artist I know well enough to say she’s not self-destructive. After Dad passed away I encouraged her to start in again but to no avail.

I have met some self-destructive people who were not artists, at least that I know of. The one I know the best is not that way any more TG.

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