Does an artist need demons to be great

The creation of anything whether it is music, painting,writing,sculpture or any other form of art requires inspiration.  Sometimes inspiration is as simple as the thought ” I’d like to write a love song”.  Of course once the creative process starts the creation can take on a life of it’s own.

With so many artists in the world what is it that makes some so great. It seems pretty well documented through the ages in all fields of creative arts that many great artists have somewhat of a tortured soul.

Van Gogh cut off his own ear.  Pretty damn crazy in my book but the guy could paint. So were his inner demons the creative force behind the greatness.

Hemingway was certainly not a man at peace but no one has put words to paper quite the way he did.  Would his work have been as spectacular had he been just an average Joe sitting at a desk somewhere in the Midwest.

Axl Rose created a few great albums with Guns n Roses before the band fell apart.  Chinese Democracy has been promised for years but Axle can’t seem to get past his demons.  Will the album be great.  Only time will tell, then again we may never know.

Is it possible that some artists demons are so great that it prevents them from ever reaching greatness.  Sid Barret never enjoyed the success that Pink Floyd had as a result of his addictions and demons taking over his life.

I think anyone who creates has to have a muse, or demons, or an inner voice to drive them otherwise everyone would be a writer,painter,musician, or sculptor.

It’s how much control the driving force has that determines the end result.

Scott

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