The Struggle Is Real, But Is It Necessary To Create Great Art?
Does your life have to be full of hardships to be a good artist?
YOU MUST SUFFER!
Sounds like a great intro lyric to a metal tune right? RAAAAARRRRR!!! Now the drums come storming in, guitars blazing (insert head banging here)…YEAH!!!
Sorry, I got side tracked. Anyway, thoughts roll around in my head and percolate on the back burner. The notion that great art is born of some sort of personal trauma has been on my mind for quite some time. I think it perks up in my brain-kettle after watching a documentary about an artist or reading their autobiography.
For example, years back I watched a documentary about Eric Clapton called Life In Twelve Bars. Left at a young age by his mother, he grew to become one of the greatest musicians of all time. Along the way, he fell hopelessly in love with his best friend's wife, became a heroin addict, kicked the heroin to become a raging alcoholic, got sober only to lose his child. Eric Clapton has been through the wringer a number of times! Through all that he (and a few friends) produced some of the most beautiful music that I cherish to this day. It begs the question, if my life had been a series of trainwrecks (including those self-inflicted), would I have become an awesome musician?
On the flipside, take Edward Van Halen or Dave Grohl. From reading Brothers by Alex Van Halen and Dave’s autobiography, The Storyteller, they appear to have had relatively good childhoods with parents who encouraged their growth as artists. Sure, Edward ended up becoming an alcoholic, but it doesn’t appear to have fueled his genius. Are these guys anomalies or is suffering not exactly part of the recipe for making great art?
You might be thinking right now, “Chuck, why does this matter?” It doesn’t matter except in the context of self-evaluation. Like many others, I have imposter syndrome. When considering my worth as an artist, I find I look to the greats to see how I compare. Well, looking up to someone like David Bowie or Eric Clapton or Vincent Van Gogh, I might wonder if I’m not cut out to be an artist. I lack the necessary levels of hardship. Sure, like many of us, I’ve had a few bruises cruising through my path in this wild world. Who hasn’t? But, my life has been excellent in the grand scheme of things.
Yet when my mind clears and I stop trying to size myself up, I come to a realization: perhaps suffering has nothing to do with being an accomplished artist. Those who have suffered or are currently suffering are most likely finding that art is salvation. Their creativity allows them to work through their pain. It may not be a cure, but it sure as hell doesn’t hurt. The reason someone’s art is outstanding is because they have put in the time and taken the initiative to be vulnerable. Regardless of the amount of suffering you’ve endured, if you strive to create art and it embodies your heart and soul, you are a great artist.
Recently, I was at a CreativeMornings Ann Arbor gathering where Jeremy Wheeler discussed this month’s theme of Punk. If you aren’t familiar with Jeremy, he is a fantastic artist and a damn fine human. You can read more about his talk on our site. The point I wanted to make is that looking around the room full of creative folks, I didn’t notice anyone missing an ear. I have no idea what most of them have been through in their lives, but what I witnessed was joy. A room full of creative people gathering to share what they love, lifting each other up, and rocking out with an amazing artist sharing his DIY ethos.
I had another realization, maybe the strange attraction to the negative is at play in the mythology of great art born of suffering. Instead of focusing on the long-hours of work and time spent honing talent, I believe there is a tendency to focus on the traumas in an artist's life and ascribe that suffering as the wellspring of their art. Many people are drawn to those sensational stories of suffering. I think those stories foster the myth that great art requires a hard life of suffering.
As I mentioned before, art is a salvation. It is a portal through the pain of existence. Through art we reveal ourselves, warts and all. Yet, you needn’t have been abused or suffered great trauma to create wonderful art. You just have to be brave enough to create and share it.
Upcoming Events You Won't Want to Miss
Our new events calendar on Life In Michigan is curated with a treasure trove of events we’ve scoured the interwebs to bring to you. From that list, here are a few highlights:
GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Foundation Fundraisers are coming up quick!
GIG Fundraiser at Hear.Say Brewing in Ann Arbor on July 8th
Come hang out at Hear.Say Brewing, play some Bingo (or not), and enjoy some fabulous beverages. Part of the bar proceeds go to help raise money for GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Visual Art Experience 2025!!
Schuler Book Days with GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Foundation on July 20 - 26th at all Schuler Book locations and online
Buy a book (or three or thirty) at Schuler Books in-store and mention GIG - The Art of Michigan Music Foundation. Buy a book (or five hundred) at Schuler Books online and use the code GIGARTMI at checkout. Either way, GIG gets 20% of the proceeds to help us fund our annual event!! If you are looking for a book suggestion and want to participate (be sure to wait until July 20!!), Here is our GIG book list -
https://www.schulerbooks.com/wishlist/2944
Music Video Release Party: Glory Days at Sullivan Field at SILVA in Grand Rapids on July 8
See the premiere of the new music video “Glory Days at Sullivan Field” which celebrates a community dedicated to saving the historic Sullivan Field ballpark in Grand Rapids.
Carbon Decoy “Crush The Sun” Record Release at the Old Miami in Detroit on July 18
Enjoy a night of incredible music as Carbon Decoy unleashes their new album Crush The Sun. Get there early for the amazing opening bands: Dunamis, Ficus, and Glass Chimera.
In Other News
We’ve been on fire over at Life In Michigan! There is a review of the new album by Ladyship Warship. Brenda has a wonderful recap of our adventures in Ireland. I mentioned the “Glory Days at Sullivan Field” video and we’ve got a bit of the story behind it. Progressive music was a highlight at Sounds and Sights on Thursday nights in Chelsea. And also mentioned earlier is our recap of Punk with Jeremy Wheeler at CreativeMornings Ann Arbor.
On A2Pulp, Lori Stratton has an interesting look back at hip-hop history in Washtenaw county. At the Sun Times News, Sue Kelch shares a story about the historic River Raisin Battlefield and it’s significance in the War of 1812.
Life In Michigan Podcast
Our most recent guest on the Life In Michigan podcast was Ed McKenna who wrote a murder mystery set at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
Murder, Mystery, and Michigan: Ed McKenna and The Grand Secret
In this episode of Life In Michigan, we sit down with Ed McKenna, author of The Grand Secret, a thrilling murder mystery set against the backdrop of Michigan’s most iconic locations — including the legendary Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Ed shares the inspiration behind his story, his long journey to publishing, and why he feels Michigan itself is one…
Substack Restack Attack
Substack is where it’s at. Check out these other superb publications:
I’m always on the hunt for new heavy music and
does a great job sharing the latest releases in metal shares her thoughts and memories of her Gran who recently passed. Its a great read and a reminder to cherish the time you have with those you love.
I need to work on my own zine and love the books and images created by
Adventures Yet To Print
I’ve got to get started on my Manistee visit recap, but first I’ve got some work to do on sharing our experience at the Waterloo Farm Museum. Brenda’s busy on writing about another adventure where we toured Castle Rouge in Detroit.
I’m keeping my reminder to someday get my Detroit Vinyl story out there.
That’s A Wrap
As my buddy Sturgill once said:
“Keep your head out of the clouds
And remember to be kind
And just stay in school
Stay off the drugs
And keep between the lines.”
Thank you for reading. I hope your week is awesome! Don’t forget to kick out the jams!
Now, here is your moment of zen:
I really like your points on art and vulnerability, Chuck. This hits perfectly:
"The reason someone’s art is outstanding is because they have put in the time and taken the initiative to be vulnerable. Regardless of the amount of suffering you’ve endured, if you strive to create art and it embodies your heart and soul, you are a great artist."
Such a nice perspective when looking at art created by someone, be they painter, singer, writer, and beyond.
Love Ladyship Warship- happy to see new music! I will run by Schuler’s on Orchard Lake Rd and pick up some books July 22nd I support GIG! Can you tell me more about what GIG does for musicians?