I was recently asked whether I felt an artist needs to suffer to create great work. My thoughts are that I believe it does add real weight to an artist’s work.
If an artist bleeds for their craft, I have a firm belief that that suffering will come through in their work. As I’ve mentioned before, suffering is the voice of art. It’s what those who turn to a specific voice in times of need are looking for: to find understanding in their world through another’s pain.
I have a talented friend who is currently going through some pain, just as I did as a younger man: trying to understand where they fit in to this world and where they can carve a crust for themselves doing what they believe they were born to do. And, as much as I’d like to shelter them from it, I know their talent will see them through and their lives will become richer and more poignant because of their current predicament. Their pain will become a bridge to their artistic growth.
If one doesn’t have pain in finding success, I strongly believe they will feel pain when their success wanes. Suffering makes one humble, grateful, and is the fuel of great art. To come out of pain and see the world differently is what we all search for in art: hope and a new perspective.
Whatever your craft, if you find yourself in such a predicament, my heart goes out to you. We’ve all been there. But be assured, it will pass. That pain will be the oxygen of your artistic voice, so use it and remember it. I’m convinced it will be the energy that powers your vehicle of self expression.