Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

[AMELIA]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

Absolutely.

[beatle]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

Well, I would say that at first, the drink did help. It loosened me up, helped me to relax and just get going on something when I was at an impasse (like you Amelia). After a while, though, it became a crutch. I could not "get going" without it. I did realise quite early on that I had to be sober to execute it (my art also requires quite a bit of technical finesse), so, in the end, I was indeed hindered by drinking as I would not attempt to do it drunk, and since I was so often drunk-- well, you get the picture.

YES pepper, what we might have accomplished...

[jane jane]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

Jane Jane here coming in (as ever) a bit late to the discussion group. So many truths expressed in so many posts.

I'm of two minds. There are so many examples of artists (literary, musical, and canvas) who would have produced so much more, for so many more years, had drink/drugs not killed them early on.

On the other hand: many of the works of our true visionaries were almost dependent upon the substances they relied upon, however tragic their end. What we have is their output, their oeuvre, and we must judge them by that, not by how many times they failed at rehab.

I think Art (with a capital "A") should not be judged biographically; what is, IS, and that's all we have.

Look at Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Rent "Amadeus." And ask yourself: would he have composed the things he did, if someone had force-fed him Prozac to calm his obviously wild bipolar swings? He was a nut, sure, but he was also a genius.

Not to make excuses: most of us need to get a grip, or we would not be on this site. But to compare artists to ordinary folks like us is...apples to oranges.

[Suzanna]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

interesting

Hi all, yes look at Van Gogh, he was always putting his paintbrush in his mouth, and drinking some vial substance called "asbeth" or "ispect" or something, was pure poison, and that's when he created starry starry night. And don't even get me started on Dali!!!

I guess we will never know if the substances hindered any greater artistic production or not?

Just my 2 cents.

[Cinders]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

absinthe

[AMELIA]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

katesm;222229 wrote: Love this thread.


But I often wonder if we stifle our creativity because of our insecurities. Insecurities caused by our perceived imperfections. And if we're allowed to let those imperfections run free, would we be far more creative?

Crumbs, I'm probably Vincent in disguise. Always had a pash for him.

Sigh.

Yep, completely with you Kate. Well, that is how I feel about myself anyway.
Great thread Trixie.
x

[KateH1]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

Trixie, I think that you bring up a very interesting thought...creativity and alcohol....a lot has been written about many artist's and writer's who suffered with serious addictions. Though not much has been written about bankers, waitresses, business people and the like who also suffered and still suffer with addiction issues.

I am a writer and I can tell you that at times, I have been inspired by ideas while drinking. Never have I attempted a finished work in such a state. But at time, the creative process has been very fluid and inspired. The problem is, the after affects of the drink, depression, malaise etc.

My oldest son is a very successful artist, earns his living as an artist and has for many years, he has never been drunk nor has he taken drugs.

I often wonder if it is the creatively driven person that uses alcohol......I think that many people, in many walks of life abuse alcohol, but, it is the well known "creatives", for which much is written about this.

Just a thought.......
KateH

[Suzanna]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

thank you db2fromalga for the correct substance, that Van Gogh was drinking night after night while living in the little yellow house in France. He did his best work there, but also descended into madness and his neighbors collaborated on his eviction from there.

Suz

[free bird]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

KateH1, No body writes about people we are not interested in. Papa 101.

[KateH1]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

Right.....and your point is????.......what? I was simply adding to the orriginal point of view....are the creatives.....the major victims of the disease of addiction?
KateH

free bird;222436 wrote: KateH1, No body writes about people we are not interested in. Papa 101.

[AMELIA]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

KateH1;222375 wrote:
I often wonder if it is the creatively driven person that uses alcohol......I think that many people, in many walks of life abuse alcohol, but, it is the well known "creatives", for which much is written about this.

Just a thought.......
KateH

KateH, I think you are right, that 'creatives' may be written about and researched into a bit more than people from other working backgrounds. Perhaps that could be because other people are interested in what made them 'tick' and if alcohol is involved then that is bought into the picture, making the artist appear 'angst'.......therefore adding something the the way their work is percieved????

[jane jane]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

This is too good a thread to die, so while I can't add anything new to the excellent points made already, I would like to propose this thought: perhaps artists are not fundamentally different from the rest of us, either biochemically or temperamentally, but the very fact that their metiers allow/require them to work and create alone is a big factor in their substance abuse. It's so much easier to open a bottle when all by oneself in the studio, or at the typewriter, than it is when in a cubicle in a corporate office or hammering up on a rooftop! The same probably holds true for housewives/freelancers who stay at home (I'm raising my hand here, guiltily)---it's ISOLATION that often starts us down that tipsy path.

[AMELIA]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

Jane Jane, I do agree with the isolation thing. Wholeheartedly. I think everyone drinks for different reasons, but I can only speak for myself, ( and from reading these forums, I believe everyone is different), I drink to avoid difficult feelings or my own percieved 'inadequacies' .

[trixietrack]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

I think a lot of creative and artistic types drink or do drugs because they are extremely sensitive and vulnerable to outside stimulus.
The act of creating is also a form of letting go, a way of exposing ones fears and insecurities.
I compare it to giving birth or to dying. (yes I am a bit dramatic) It's painful to let yourself go.
who wouldn't develop some sort anxiety around this?

[beatle]

Drinking Killed Jackson Pollocks Work

trixie, I think you hit it right on the button (or the nail on the head... whatever). It is sort of a two-way street, or more like a circle-- sometimes a vicious one. Creativity stems from sensitivity which creates a need for release, which creates a need to create. (I am aware that sounds nonsensical, but I am a visual person, so please forgive lack of writing creativity).