Discussion Is any creative person as good as they want to be?

[Forever Sleep]

When it became obvious that I wanted to pursue a creative career- my Dad told me that: 'I was going to suffer'. He did a creative job too. I didn't entirely grasp what he meant initially. I knew from the outset- that it would be difficult to break in to and sustain. But then- there was also the other side to it. That- I may never achieve what I want to personally- even if I got the chance.

I'd say for the majority of creative people I've met, it's been the same. Most were obsessing about something they weren't happy with in what they'd produced. Most were afraid they weren't good enough or, massively envious of others. Me included. I've felt such gnawing envy towards others.

Do you suppose even the most incredible artists- Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt etc. still yearned to be better? Has anyone creative here ever produced something they were entirely happy with? Would you say being creative has brought you more joy or pain in life?

I can't imagine where I would be without it. It's been my coping mechanism since childhood. The frustrating part though is- given just how much of my life I've given to it, I would hope to be so much better than I am. I'm mostly just about good enough. Which I'm still thankful for but, it would be kind of nice if the reaults more accurately reflected the time put in over all.

 

[Remus72]

The time vs results thing gets me too. There's something almost unfair about it.. like you did everything right, you put the hours in, and the payoff just doesn't match. That's a hard thing to sit with.

 

[idfwlnh]

I believe even the greatest artists underrate themselves. Especially in this era when we just constantly comparing us to the others online. Thus, in art, I think artists are good because they recognize their flaws, even not immediately, it might be a habit for them to seek flaws to improve. Does it not make one disappointed just recognizing their flaws, and maybe a lot of them, in different works

 

[GoGoTornado]

In the shortest way possible, "Not even close"

 

[GodzillasBiggestFan]

in visual art yes, because it is not my main focus so i dont care as much if its good enough. though with that its less that i think i'm great at it and more that i am good enough for the amount i do and am fine just doing doodles and stuff that aren't as good.

for performance art, no, which is one of many reasons i prerfer live performance to things like film and tv. plays and drag performances i've done have still been videoed sometimes but i rarely watch them back. creativity has brought me more joy then pain for sure but i do very much want to get better at it.