"Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation."
British Novelist
1904 - 1991
Have you ever thought of your writing or your painting as a form of therapy, as a way to help you through the challenges you face in life with at least a part of your sanity? This goes to the heart of who do we create for? Ourselves or others? I think the answer for the most part is ourselves. If we write what others want us to write or paint what others want us to paint, I think we hurt ourselves more than help ourselves. We all have demons in our lives that we must work through. For some it is their childhood. For others it is the death of someone they loved dearly. For others it is the spiritual doubts they have. Creating works of art helps us cope with the pain that is at the heart of our lives. It helps us face the fears that try to force us into hiding. It helps us to keep the madness at bay for a little while.
