A Different Outlook on the Starving Artist
"Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide." -Donald Winnicott
Guilty as charged! I like to be an introvert, but it is one of those love/hate relationships.
Time alone recharges me, especially when it is spent painting.
But this doesn't mean I don't care for others or want connection. In fact, connection is a well-known psychological need (Don't believe me? Check out Edward Deci and Richard Ryan's Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior to get it straight from the horse's mouth).
We cannot escape it. However, we can do without it for periods.
Generally, whenever we sacrifice connection, we trade it for feelings of competence and control.
Well, painting can also supply those. You control each brushstroke, and when you have the tools in your belt to create the image in your head, it is a HUGE confidence boost for your competence as an artist.
But we cannot live by control and competence alone. Connection cannot be thrown to the wayside. It is still needed.
Even worse, if you find yourself in a situation where you are denying yourself 2 or even all 3 psychological needs, your motivation will die along with your spirit.
You get stuck in a funk that makes you not want to touch a brush, get out of bed, live life to the fullest.
So, don't starve yourself of your psychological needs. There is nothing more dangerously demotivating.
Hand-painted in Adobe Photoshop CC using the Wacom Intuos Pro and the Wacom Art Pen.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join the mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from my team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
I hate SPAM. I will never sell your information, for any reason.
