Why are artist's crazy?

Question

How come many artists are mentally unstable?

Answer 1

I think it's because we are driven to express what is going on in our minds, in a way that we understand even if others don't.    

Answer 2

I think that "all" artists are "mentally unstable" because you're either born that way and the art you create in whatever outlet just comes to you differently because you have something more to express than others - or you create your own world thats "mentally unstable" (drugs, alcohol, s*x, etc...) your own torment because it's something to keep the tables turning...

Me? I don't know which one I have... I'm not sure if I was born being "mentally unstable" or if I created my own "unstable" world... it's probably some of both, actually.

It draws people and attention to you, either you like it or you don't... there are parts that I like, parts that I don't.

xoxox

Answer 3

I'm a crazy artist. I think the fact that I'm an artist MADE me crazy, or helped, at least. Artists are more sensitive and observant of the world around them, and of other people's feelings, and their own emotions. This is a terrible thing because the world is an awful place and most people are sad or angry. Being artistically sensitive is a huge burden- often the more sensitive you are, the more talented you are, but that talent comes at a price, obviously.

Alternatively, people who were born with or developed mental illness, like Van Gough for example, might choose art as a way of expressing the unusual way they perceive the world. When you see things differently to other people, you are full of ideas and tension, and that's disturbing, because you're aware that you're alone with these ideas. Nobody else sees what you see or thinks your thoughts. You have to learn about your own private world on your own. Before I began to paint and draw, I let the tension out violently, or by screaming. For me, the thoughts I need to express are always the same, whether I let them out with a paintbrush or with a knife. With other artistic people, like musicians, actors, etc, it's often the same.

Answer 4

Artistic people are artistic because they see things very deeply and feel things very deeply therefore our emotions are a lil more off balance then those who dont feel quite as much. Artists are emotional and some may see it as being nuts lol but trust me its definately not a flaw!!  

Answer 5

because people who don't have traumatic experiences usually don't open their minds up as much as artists do. but it's not only artists, it's anyone who invents something new. that's all art really is, invention.

writers, inventors, artists... they tend to be tortured and because of their mental states seek out art as a comforting outlet.

Answer 6

Because we see the world from different perspectives and feel it in more extreme ways.  Our lives simply are deeper and richer, and yes, more tormented.  It is not a fair trade off if you ask me.  

Only some artists are crazy, btw.  That's a big generalization that you made.

Answer 7

What do you mean mentally unstable? I'm not mentally unstable.... RIGHT!

lol. just kidding, but I am an artist... rather a poet, really.

I think (not totally sure) but some ways to get into the right "feel" of something you simply have to put your mind where your art is. If it's a sad poem or sad painting, you have to feel sad and you might play sad music to get you into the "feel". Some greater artists have lost themselves in the "feel" and that can sometimes lead to insanity, but not all artists were/are crazy. It's just that some of the good ones are/were.

Answer 8

Various reasons...for me (singer-songwriter) like a LOT of artists (both past and present), I had a very unstable and tortured childhood. Whatever happens in one's childhood shapes you as an adult.

Then (hopefully) one realizes that you get to choose to be a survivor and not a victim. But they probably haven't reached that point yet and are possibly self medicating with lots of drugs as an escape from any present  or past pain (been there too). Sometimes artists put themselves back in their past (thinking of bad memories etc..) for inspiration, its not healthy but it works!

True artists express their experience in their art and flush it out as a gift for others to consume, and people tend to love us "tortured souls".  

Answer 9

You're putting it very bluntly. To get access to your creativity, you need to have a flexible and open mind, plus be very sensitive. That's the positive side. The other side is that these traits usually have side effects such as mood swings, anxiety, depression or BPD.

An artist friend of mine said that to be truly creative, you must open a hatchet and release the energy provided by your latent insanity. Then you have to be able to close the hatchet. Those who can't will go mad.

If you're an author, painter, playwright, sculptor etc you spend a lot of time on your own, have no idea if the work you do will be fully appreciated and on top of that, you're usually struggling to make ends meet. That's enough to drive anybody up the wall.