Creativity Without Attitude

Throughout our lives we meet those who may inspire us, those whom we admire and even those who we may like their work, but who have an ego and a 'better than thou' attitude. They may have awards and accolades. They may even be very successful with producing the work for others to pay them. But, how 'good' are they? Now, how does the attitude affect the person who may admire that creative individual? There is an excuse that some say that is discussed in Born Under Saturn by Margot and Rudolf Wittkower where they outline specific times when a person is who is born is 'creative'. Without arguing the validity of the argument, let us view the statement about the creative individual having 'artist's melancholia' or that the creative individual must be socially detached and moody to be truly creative. This simply is not true. I have students believing this and want to (or need to) believe it in order for it to make sense. The truth is that the creative individual struggles, yes, but can easily adapt to social norms and means (even if he/she chooses not to). The goal is to respect those who praise your work and to be happy that it connects with them. As a theatre producer, director and writer I frequently attend theatrical performances. I recently attended a performance where I introduced myself to the director and he had a 'better than thou' attitude. Now, the sense would be to be happy a fellow colleague was attending the performance and to be polite and professional. This person was neither. Is there an excuse since he/she is in the arts? No, it is not. It never is. That's why it's important to realize the creative nature is within everyone, let's share it with joy and not think that we can rise above others, because we cannot. Ever.

Leave a comment

Adam C. Sharp, Copyright 2023