Do you NEED to be mad to be an artist?

Question

Is it true that you must have some sort of madness to be able to paint, draw, play, act etc... on a GRAND level. Yes, there are loads of mediocre artists, but most of the really great ones seem to have had some sort of madness...

Answer 1

yep!

Answer 2

I'm not mad and I'm an artist :)

In fact, the artists that I know that try and make themselves look and behave in a mad way are rubbish and quite lazy. Like the image is what it's all about and the art isn't.

Besides, what makes art good? It can be good for the meaning, like political for example, it can be good because it demonstrates the artist's ability, like their brushwork, or it can be good just because the colours are nice...etc etc etc

An example of a 'mad' painter is Van Gogh. He actually had lots of problems, and it would seem the way he funelled his despair or troubles was into his art, which one could argue contributes to the successfulness of his art as so much energy has gone into it.

Get it?

Answer 3

I think it is called being an individual, non-conformist or unique person.

You have to be a bit mad to come up with ideas nobody else has thought of. - Most great discoveries came from madmen!

Answer 4

I don't think so.

You need to be talented, gifted maybe, not mad.

Answer 5

In art, madness is no substitute for genius. A genius can appear mad because he (or she) thinks on a level far enough above ordinary minds that people assume he must be bonkers. Like inventing new art forms in his head but forgetting to put on his pants. Interestingly, it was a genius, Einstein, who coined the best definition of insanity: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Hardly a recipe for masterpieces.

Answer 6

Well, as an artist, I would have to say yes, you need a touch of madness, but not in the sense of cutting your ears off or something, but constantly cooking up ridiculous scenarios in your head that no one else would have thought of, instead of just drawing something that hundreds of others have drawn, even if it is produced very well.

Answer 7

Its not madness. Think of a tram not running on the tracks, but getting there anyway; thats an artist, sort of.

Answer 8

Well  the hubby is truly a  great (has been called a genius quite a few times) artist.  He gets a bit introverted at times but he still has both ears and if you passed him in the street you wouldn't know he was  an artist.  He says there are those who look the part and those who just get on with it.

It isn't madness that the great artists in History suffer from, they can be introspective.  Saw a programme about it once

Answer 9

madness is a art if it were not it would be trash.trash gets kicked out to the road.of course i have seen some art that i consider trash guese you have to be mad to be a cridict

Answer 10

nooooo

you just need inspiration and freedom...in your mind..

Thanks

Answer 11

of course not! some are mad because they have a unique sense of art that is not entirely recognized or is considered odd. i know many sane artists. well, its ur choice whether you want to be mad or not.

Answer 12

Yes you have to be a bit mad to

be an artist, but even worse to

be a pi88 artist..happy brushstrokes

Answer 13

It helps me,,,

Answer 14

Dali is my hero and yep he was definitely nuts!!

good Q..but no there are some sane good painters around.

Answer 15

you answered your own question ... and yes i agree :)

Answer 16

not mad just mildy insane. and no you dont have to be mad, its just that most great artists, actors, anyone of that sort of thing can get caught up in their work, its a passion a vocation, something thats inside you. creativity can appear a little crazy, but better to be a little crazy than boring!

Answer 17

no just one ear

Answer 18

no, but i think there is a reason people tink this. when people are depressed or angry, it brings out their true colors, and the emotional side of you really comes out, causing more creativity and menaing in artwork. when you are expiriencing depression or anger you are what some people call "mad."

Answer 19

I think a touch of madness helps.

Edit:

They see things in a slightly different, or unique way.

xx