Having been born into a family of artists and musicians, all of whom had dark and brooding personalities, I grew up making art, playing music, and thinking that my own darkness was “the artist’s temperament,” something that simply comes with the territory. I found myself frequently paralyzed by what I now know to be crippling depressions. I watched my father’s students die of their untreated mental illnesses, as they resisted treatment thinking it would squash their creativity….but instead, suicide squashed it for good. When I was kind of accidentally diagnosed with depression, I didn’t believe it. I was sure the clinic just didn’t understand artists. We have to be dark and brooding, or we’ll never make good art….right?
my gosh, I always read in books or see in movies artists who throw away their antidepressants because they “take away my creative drive.” Like, who are these people and how do they function creatively while depressed? Because when I’m depressed I can barely write my own name
Also I just realized her painting is the smile everybody always hides behind, so either she’s painting about faking or faking about painting. (she said as an english major, reading too much into everything)
Given that I write a webcomic that is literally based on being hurt, depressed, and scared, this is actually not true for me! So.. yay for drawing on life experience?
Oh God, this one is fucking spot on. My whole fucking life has gone down that black hole. Someone tells me how funny something I wrote in an email was and they say “You missed your calling!” and I think I know I missed my fucking calling! I know, I know, I know, God damn it. I know that better than anyone.
Along with your feelings, your thoughts, your memories, your volition, your abilities, your future… A black hole is a good analogy for depression. The abyss is so vast and dark and empty, it seems nothing can escape. It can be a terrible strain to feel outwardly alive but completely empty within.
Fortunately I was given an SSRI that effectively plugged the black hole. Over the course of a year I learned to recognize when my thoughts were tending toward it, and to direct them on safer paths, until I was ready to try living without the drug. For over twenty years I have lived with that hole in my mind, but now I know how to avoid it.
About the only creative thing that’s been sticking to me is crocheting big 12 point star blankets, because I can work out my anxiety with each loop and knot. Otherwise.. I’m only mildly decent at making a baseline…
Depression doesn’t make me special – it erases my ability to express anything special about myself. Knowing what I’m capable of when I’m not depressed just cranks up the gravitational field.
i ain’t creative. i can only deliver quite decent basslines
Having been born into a family of artists and musicians, all of whom had dark and brooding personalities, I grew up making art, playing music, and thinking that my own darkness was “the artist’s temperament,” something that simply comes with the territory. I found myself frequently paralyzed by what I now know to be crippling depressions. I watched my father’s students die of their untreated mental illnesses, as they resisted treatment thinking it would squash their creativity….but instead, suicide squashed it for good. When I was kind of accidentally diagnosed with depression, I didn’t believe it. I was sure the clinic just didn’t understand artists. We have to be dark and brooding, or we’ll never make good art….right?
Don’t they know, all the best creatives are actually bipolar.
No, but seriously, when the hell do I get my manic creative streak? I’d like to stop feeling paralyzed at the mere thought of picking up a pencil.
As an artist, this is so true…and so frustrating. Great comic as usual.
YES
my gosh, I always read in books or see in movies artists who throw away their antidepressants because they “take away my creative drive.” Like, who are these people and how do they function creatively while depressed? Because when I’m depressed I can barely write my own name
Also I just realized her painting is the smile everybody always hides behind, so either she’s painting about faking or faking about painting. (she said as an english major, reading too much into everything)
Given that I write a webcomic that is literally based on being hurt, depressed, and scared, this is actually not true for me! So.. yay for drawing on life experience?
Yeah Amazing comment
Depression is why I stopped doing all the creative stuff I used to enjoy.
Oh God, this one is fucking spot on. My whole fucking life has gone down that black hole. Someone tells me how funny something I wrote in an email was and they say “You missed your calling!” and I think I know I missed my fucking calling! I know, I know, I know, God damn it. I know that better than anyone.
Every time I see one of these comix, it’s like a punch to the center of the chest. Christ this shit is accurate.
Depression drains your energy. You have nothing left for creativity.
totally
Along with your feelings, your thoughts, your memories, your volition, your abilities, your future… A black hole is a good analogy for depression. The abyss is so vast and dark and empty, it seems nothing can escape. It can be a terrible strain to feel outwardly alive but completely empty within.
Fortunately I was given an SSRI that effectively plugged the black hole. Over the course of a year I learned to recognize when my thoughts were tending toward it, and to direct them on safer paths, until I was ready to try living without the drug. For over twenty years I have lived with that hole in my mind, but now I know how to avoid it.
http://www.whompcomic.com/comics/2013-03-11-Art-Attack.jpg
Anyone else agree?
About the only creative thing that’s been sticking to me is crocheting big 12 point star blankets, because I can work out my anxiety with each loop and knot. Otherwise.. I’m only mildly decent at making a baseline…
Myths and stereotypes exist because there is truth in them. Both tropes are true, sometimes for the same people at different times.
Stuff about Anxiety are why everyone likes your page
Actually I am super creative. It’s just that my ideas hardly ever get past the drawing board or planning stage.
Yep. Nailed it.
I miss writing so much.
I can’t even deliver decent bass lines.
can’t remember my last painting
The insults I make up when someone calls me lazy are creative.
“You sad, broken elephant. Go mess with someone your size.” -said to a bully
“Shame on you. If this were a village, we would kick you out.” -said to a family member
Depression doesn’t make me special – it erases my ability to express anything special about myself. Knowing what I’m capable of when I’m not depressed just cranks up the gravitational field.