Behind every beautiful thing, there's always a story of pain.
Behind every beautiful thing, there's always a story of pain. - Cristina Valladares
I spent some time thinking about the term "tortured artist" this morning. Whether you're talking about photographers, painters, musicians, or writers, it does seem like some of the most breathtakingly beautiful work stems from a dark place full of pain, heartache or uncertainty. That's not to say there isn't beautiful art inspired by happiness as well, but I think that perhaps we are more drawn to the painfully inspired pieces because the artists are giving us the means of expressing our own pain.
Not everybody knows how to deal with pain. Actually, I think most of us are stumbling blindly in the dark when we're hurt. But for whatever reason, as artists, we are compelled to pour that emotion into our chosen creative outlet. It's healthy, really, if you ask me. (You didn't, but I'm sharing anyway.)
I know that for me, when I compose a photograph during my darkest hours, it feels like I'm freeing a bit of that pain and letting it fly away from me. I'm lightening my load by releasing it through photography or writing. I don't think that artists feel more deeply than others, I just think that there's something unique in us that compells us to release our emotions in a more tangible form. And I think the reason that these pain-inspired masterpieces are typically more universally appealing is that by releasing our own pain, we are giving others the means of releasing theirs as well.
Never underestimate that feeling you get when you read a chapter in a book, look at a photograph or a painting, hear the lyrics of a song and think "Yes. That, exactly. That is how I feel."
The beauty of art is that it captures universal emotions and makes us feel a bit less alone.
Behind every beautiful thing, there's always a story of pain.
Behind every beautiful thing, there's always a story of pain. - Cristina Valladares
I spent some time thinking about the term "tortured artist" this morning. Whether you're talking about photographers, painters, musicians, or writers, it does seem like some of the most breathtakingly beautiful work stems from a dark place full of pain, heartache or uncertainty. That's not to say there isn't beautiful art inspired by happiness as well, but I think that perhaps we are more drawn to the painfully inspired pieces because the artists are giving us the means of expressing our own pain.
Not everybody knows how to deal with pain. Actually, I think most of us are stumbling blindly in the dark when we're hurt. But for whatever reason, as artists, we are compelled to pour that emotion into our chosen creative outlet. It's healthy, really, if you ask me. (You didn't, but I'm sharing anyway.)
I know that for me, when I compose a photograph during my darkest hours, it feels like I'm freeing a bit of that pain and letting it fly away from me. I'm lightening my load by releasing it through photography or writing. I don't think that artists feel more deeply than others, I just think that there's something unique in us that compells us to release our emotions in a more tangible form. And I think the reason that these pain-inspired masterpieces are typically more universally appealing is that by releasing our own pain, we are giving others the means of releasing theirs as well.
Never underestimate that feeling you get when you read a chapter in a book, look at a photograph or a painting, hear the lyrics of a song and think "Yes. That, exactly. That is how I feel."
The beauty of art is that it captures universal emotions and makes us feel a bit less alone.