Happiness is worth the work. Is it more work for an artist to be happy than sad? I'm not sure... I suppose it takes more muscles to frown than to smile; but if the muscles are so accustomed to frowning, than maybe it comes more naturally. Lately (in the last ten years or so), I've noticed how deeply sad artists can be; especially the truest ones: the ones that other artists look to to find inspiration and refuge, the ones labeled "Best and Most True to Himself." Why are artists sad? (And by artist, I assume most people know that an artist can be anyone who pursues a craft in creative inklings). A sad artist is like a sad puppy...puppies just shouldn't be sad.
There are a lot of happy artists in the universe. Many times, struggling artists look to these happy artists and think one of two things: the artist is happy because he has found success(fame/recognition/fortune...the three are not always simultaneous), or he doesn't take himself seriously (hasn't found the "depths")as an artist and should really just "get real."
After contemplating the phenomenon of why artists are sad (as I said, about ten years or so), I've discovered many very explainable reasons for it (just read the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, or listen to Elizabeth Gilbert's "A New Way to Think About Creativity" and many other resources for explanations), but there's another huge reason.
Artists feel they have the right to share their sadness with the world at large--in whichever art form they choose. Other people who don't proclaim to be artists (but very well may be), either don't feel entitled enough to express it, or don't know how.
What if sadness was a universal affliction regardless of personality/soul/artistic enlightenment, creativeness, gender (etc.) ?
This is just a thought. I haven't given much to it (that's a lie). I like to remain inconclusive in regards to creativity and emotions. Creativity is a labrynthine mystery; one that comes very naturally and supernaturally to humans. There are annotations for this, but I won't plumb into those.
Go and be happy
