Being An Artist Is Lonely - Dr. Ken Atchity
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- čas přidán 28. 04. 2024
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In this Film Courage video interview, Author/Writer/Producer Dr. Ken Atchity on Being An Artist Is Lonely.
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#life #people #artists - Krátké a kreslené filmy
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How can i contact Mr. Ken? I want to work with him.
great Channel!! Love the content!! I am having same trouble !!Now my vision is re-shaped!!
Romanticizing the lonely artist is pathetic
AZ,, z
As an artist, the solution to loneliness is output. If you are producing, you feel good. And when you produce something that is a breakthrough towards what you are trying to achieve - that gives the most satisfaction.
Satisfaction and confidence.
This is true, success breeds passion. Passion breeds confidence. Both qualities attract the opposite of loneliness.
agree 100%
Bullshit. For an artist, the solution is the same as for anyone else. It's people to associate with. All the rest ius pretentious bullshit, including just about everything Atchity says. There is nothing special about being an artist. It's a carrer choice like any other, be it an astronomer or a plumber. Creativity is the same way. Everything he says about creativity is bullshit for pretentious fools who don't want the world to learn they really aren't suffering, starving artists.
There are no type Cs. There are only people who get off tehri asses and work, and people who makes bullshit excuses like Atchity does.
@@jamesaritchie1 You sound like a pissed off artist that never made it :P
Sucks to be you man
“Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.” - Nikola Tesla
Silence is the fertilizer of creativity. For me.
I wonder if he'll ever be appreciated as he should.
So God damn true Nik!
Creative people are empathetic and are impacted by the mood ‘roll-off’ of others. Being alone allows the artist to channel from the ‘source.’
At least that’s my experience.
I incredibly agree! Empathetic to a fault. Good or bad....others moods, problems, excitement, happiness...whatever...changes my art. I have to shut off the phone and match the mood I want to see in my art in isolation, for the most part. Some artists love being in the middle of everything....I had to learn this skill when I evolved to live painting. Our specific vision and focus changes when you immerse yourself in others. Which can be very freeing and cool. But, to execute certain ideas....alone-ness becomes necessary.
PineCrone So true. I am now very careful with who I even hang out with even for a little while. I don’t want to wear people emotional baggage as it lingers in with me. I trust myself so it’s easy to be with myself for long periods of time. Though I do enjoy painting from the model in a group in a studio situation. I love the vibe that art is the most important thing there. I love the focus. If you don’t want to talk that’s fine.
It’s in my studio alone where I have that connection with source. Creativity is protection from all that is guy, cruel and basically wicked in this world. At least that has been my experience.
Since when are creatives empathetic? That's simply not true. Some yes, some not. Artists are varied as much as non artists.
@@cliffdariff74 Yeah I'm actually entirely non-empathetic but insanely creative-driven. I'm an INTP (logician personality type), which means I actually have trouble connecting emotionally to other people and almost all of my thought process is rationally driven. This definitely isn't a good generality.
I'm not lonely when I am creating art- I'm alone. I'm lonely when I'm not creating art!
I feel the same
youre having a relationship with self when creating..i do too
Me too. I don't feel lonely. I feel that my muses are all around me.
FACTS!! WELL SAID!!
The Muses are there, when your butt's on the chair...
Don't tell your friends or family. They always got some shit to say that you didn't ask for.
People will talk regardless of whether its good or bad. just do what feels right to you
I relate to this! idc what anyone thinks but telling friends and fam hypes yourself up to a unrealistic expection of X project you are doing, lay low and work on your passion until new people support/love your crat ...
Word.
its good to surround yourself with your own tribe of delusion. I attended a well known acting school in Beverly Hills. The students there were quite great although very insecure to the outside world. Several almost lived in the studio and were capable of performing a stage play last minute without even memorizing the whole script. They build a great acting work ethic but they weren't paralyzed by the comments of outsiders because in their little acting world, everyone was in the same boat. They were afraid of going to auditions though which defeated the whole point. if you can surround yourself with the same delusional people, push the work ethic and get out there to face rejection, thats all you can really do. I guess thats the magic of living in LA. You can surround yourself with people who are equally delusional and are aggressively pursuing it as if its all normal. This is what the well known old timer directors did back in the day. they were just a circle fo misfits until they became known as top in the industry. Same thing happened to Hitler's inner circle. They were all just inexperienced misfits believing in the same delusion. So what im saying is, go be around your tribe and dont tell your friends and family about your visions. They dont get it until its a finished and entertaining product. These same people usually seem unsure if you were to ask them what is the worthy ideal of their 9-5 and what their end game is. To buy stuff and to relax is their ideal. Sounds like they haven't figured out life either. Quite a lame life purpose.
This is why I went into real estate. I understand the creativity of that industry in terms of what the buyer is looking for. Music, writing and drawing are totally useless and if people do want it, IT HAS TO BE FOR FREE.
As an artist, I am most unhappy when I am not creating. When I am creating, I like to be alone with no one asking me what I am doing or giving their comments. It's a very spiritual experience and quite meditative. I can work during the day or night as long as I am left alone. I am never lonely.
it isnt always this way for every artist in fact often quite the very opposite
@@AnneaJane Well, that is you. I guess I am an "oddball".
@@Sasquatch64 I feel the same way. I'm alone but don't feel lonely because of art
I can relate 🙏 I don’t feel lonely when I’m alone , I’m not alone because I’m with myself and we get along quite well
@@syndice i didn’t realise you replied with what I was thinking too until after I replied to this comment , on the money with the difference between being alone and being lonely
If you are an artist who feels alone, read all these comments. There's hundred of us right here. In the creative world that's just a drop in the bucket. Art is all around us, be a part of that, just do the work.
This was beautiful to read! thank you!
Many artists are struggling with their self-esteem and identity. They either have too much or insufficient ego. Their creative process is usually demanding, solitary, and economically undervalued. They deal with jealousy, competition, and are difficult to unite, as they are (necessarily) self-centered and perfectionists. Love is the only key to keep you going. Maintain the love for the beauty of art and life, despite all the noise and clutter that surrounds you.
Just do the work. THIS. A thousand times this.
The interviewer deserves a lot of credit. She never interrupted. Interviewing is mostly about listening but so often the interviewer's need for significance intervenes.
She was excellent. She spoke just enough to get his thoughts rolling, then sat back and let him talk.
You hit the nail on the head. SO. TRUE. She understands what it means to be an interviewer.
The loneliness as an artist is at times both peaceful and devastating. Having that time to yourself to escape reality and just have a life of creating art of all kids is a dream career, yet it sucks because you usually have no one else there with you in that process of creating. Anyone who's not a creative individual wouldn't understand why art brings you joy, which is why you're always alone, but that comfort you need comes from the love of making things from a creative space.
Well said
Is it possible to create a community of artists that from time to time, poke their heads into each others studios? knowing when not to get in the way?
spot on
@@WitherandFronst Of course. Artists love being around other artists who they can gain inspiration from or just can simply watch then work to understand their process. More communities of creative people need to be established.
@@ajtaylor8750 as long as the other artists arent there to steal the other person's art.
Distractions of everyday, "normal" life have always been my greatest challenge to my creativity.
I'm in the same boat buddy
I dont really like 90% of people, so being an artist suits me just fine. My wife is part of the 10%. So are my cats.
@a w I met her on line. I had to be "out in the world" for 54 years before I realized I hated my life, so I stopped working. And I didnt have to deal with people in general. Things have been 100% better. My wife and I are on CPP, so we are basically getting next to nothing, and social services pays the rest. Sometimes we run out of food before the end of the month, we both smoke, so we raid the ashtrays in the area and re roll the tobacco into cigarettes. I could afford a lot more when I was working, but I wasnt happy, and neither was Rose. Its a trade off of sorts. I used to get up at 5am, to go to several cold bus stops(-30c), to bust my ass for 8-12 hrs, and get home exhausted, sore, and too tired to think about my artwork. Now I get up at 8am, watch the news, or some cartoons, and work on my art for the day. We like things much better now
A wife and Cats are a bonus .
steve harrigan For me it my dog. He is a very good studio dog too. I avoid most people and have become very good at it.
I don't like a lot of people either...
@@jeanniecampbell1374 To me, they are essential. Without them, there would be no art.
In creating something vulnerable, it’s much easier to be authentic if there isn’t somebody looking over your shoulder.
Love this statement.
💯
Well said
This is true!!
Thank you. It feels like being an artist, whether you're a writer, painter, singer, actor, feels like having a mental illness, because people don't really understand it, don't know how to support the people doing it and don't really believe in the chances of one making a life out of it.
Exactly right
Have you ever met an artist that does not have some sort of mental disorder? If so they are not a true artist.
I get this all the time.... It's just fuel for me to prove them wrong.
That's a very interesting observation!. Well said and i think it's true.
Creativity isn't lonely, but it is private. It happens in the mind and heart and only comes out when it's given a protected space in which to live. You can't force it and if you do then all you get is a stunted version of what it really is. You can't deny it what it needs... the room to become what it is. That's what being creative is. Giving your mind and heart the space to become what it is.
amen
First,
Thank You Peter Kaitlyn for your candid synopsis of Dr. Atchity’s grasp on “ island living “ as it were.
The verbal drink you provided us was mixed by hands of a consummate barista.
Yes, the universe allowed me the, …..always uncanny grace to run into both you and this timely Professor at the same moment ……. Likewise with Film Courage; ….. running into this lifeline during lockdown has purged and awakened me in with rich soul affirmations!
Though I’m 2 years too late to thank you both for your loving awareness…. Allow me to sincerely do it now……
As you mentioned about “ protective spaces “………. I finally have that in its entirety…… yes it took 65 years to get my island……. But…. Finally….. no continent for miles….. in any direction to slow or quicken my pace . I have just one burning story to tell…….. I just hope I’m not to late.
Thank you also for your creativity, and sharing it with us through MistairArts
@@RAIN-AGAIN
It's never too late to do what needs to be done...
@@PeterKaitlyn
Point well taken. I’ve found out through the year’s, life shows us -
LOVE IS THE ONLY WAY! So, at this stage in life, my momentum in creativity bears that lofty narrative.
Been on it now for years… little here, little ( Pixar….MOVE over)…lol
Teaching myself the riggers of animation to accomplish this feat.
A lot on my plate here…… keeping a story moving with new, layered characters may prove to be a bit “hefty “ for my target audience…. Entire score is mine as well since the metaphors engaged in the film are all to highlight the magic of “harmony “ , or the lack thereof in our life’s.
This animated fantasy hopefully will leave a positive impression on kids and adults alike.
This project won’t see the light of day until at least Christmas 2025.
Hopefully, distribution avenues will be somewhat sweeter by then.
Enjoying your body of work …. Awesome soundtracks and great singer-songwriter choices…..
Again…. You wear many hats in your field.
Appreciate you sharing your vision with all of us!!
Yes, I love this. You expressed it beautifully!!
“The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them.” ― Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Wow thanks for this quote, it might help me with my creative block
@@neko_neko9 🙂🙃🙂
I’m an autistic artist/artistic autist. Being by myself and immersed in creativity is warm and satisfying. Being with a crowd of people is a very lonely experience however.
i appreciate this sentiment also being Autistic with Autistic Spectrum Disorder it’s really hard for me to not go on and on about my passion so i try to ask people about what there interests are its difficult but i believe its healthy i wish you luck on your journey @Neshiah474
@@jaksville I’m a loner and prefer to be around autistic people
Isolation is part of The Process to evolve into that which you truly are 👑
And time which isolation buys you.
Great comment I feel like loneliness should be embraced
I have learned to like even love being alone at times it teaches an artist discipline and increases productivity
You have no idea how much this comment resonates with me.
Well hopefully given recent events people start to evolve, lot of idiots in this world 🤣 (sucks because I'm probably one of them 🙃)
Every person I knew who was too much in togetherness with others amounted to nothing, nor did they ever truly know themselves. Most died alone because nobody really knew them either, nor cared to.
An artist is a vessel... A vessel that carries imagination, self-awareness, memories, and complex emotions. The artist, whether by nature or nurture, has the ability to combine all of these things, thus transforming them into a unique product that can never be completely duplicated by someone else. The release of those things can be very cathartic, but once they have brought their vision to fruition, the vessel that they are is left as an empty one: An artist is fire, and their loneliness is smoke.
Wise words 🙏🏽
Whoooooooooa
if the artist is the fire... & loneliness is the smoke... what / who are the Moths?
well said
So true, beautifully put sir!
I don't feel lonely when I have my art!
czcams.com/video/utYq-AIJSbg/video.html
Being alone as an artist is like going into the chrysalis and emerging as a butterfly.
"Bombarded with other people's opinions" - I felt that.
When the artist is alone it increases your art development..
czcams.com/video/utYq-AIJSbg/video.html
This interview and this comment section is on time for me and made me feel finally understood as an artist. Thank you so much for this.
We are glad this one found you Amy!
Art is the beautiful residue of isolation. 💀🔥
There is a legend that between the hours of 1 am and 4 am , there exists a window of opportunity to write or create masterpieces. I believe this legend is totally true.
in what time zones?...lol
I started as a child doing oil paintings in the middle of the night/the quiet time. been a freaking night owl ever since. It's a curse.
Oh man! I didn't need to read that! I'm trying to get to sleep at a sensible time these days (and failing)lol, your quote will haunt me now
That's because all the surrounding channels are open. I believe in this thing called collective consciousness. And if everyone around you is asleep, their thoughts are not broadcasting and you can download with 1GB a second from that mysterious source of ideas. At least that's my theory. I too love that 1 to 4 am-window...
I will have to try that out. I bet it's true. I think it's because our receptors are not jammed with the static of the day. We are more in tune with the zeitgeist. Think about whenever you've walked into a room and people are at different areas doing things but you can feel the tension enough to cut it with a chainsaw and you know right away that an argument had just taken place. That will jam your signals for sure.
I don’t feel alone when I’m creating. I love being alone. I am most sad when I have art to get out but family obligations and personal relationships get in the way.
“the creative process is making order out of chaos” 💯
“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.” - Rollo May
Art is one of the most spiritual actions you could do. It works better when you let it flow from you and not push it.
📌 "you don't ever have to answer a question that somebody gives to you, unless you feel like it!"
That part!!
I'm reading through the comments and I love to see there are no negative, useless, volatile, or destructive inputs, but only those that offer insight to a shared experience. Says a lot about folks like us, artists, oftentimes mislabeled societal oddities, who take the time to speak with forms that dwarf words and reverberate to the grandest depths of the soul.
Lovely.
I have been a professional artist for over thirty years. I would have to agree that it can be a lonely process. Sometimes I think that this calling is a bit of a curse, but one has to embrace and celebrate this "thing" that afflicts us. It is a wonderful way to be!!
Never had anyone explain THE ARTIST BURDEN which I have carried my whole career. Thank you so much!
"Money justifies what is frivolous if unpaid for." (Virginia Woolf). As true today as it was in 1929. If you fully support yourself and your art, you owe no one an explanation or apology.
This is why I can justify debit card fees when in a hurry. I'm paying for time which is precious. Others may think I'm wasting my money, but then it doesn't take them nearly 3 hours to whip up a simple dinner.
This made me feel normal lol
It's hard to get things when you have too many things and people pulling you in different directions.
Hence why isolation, in this case, is probably beneficial.
Moving to a isolated location increased my artistic productivity significantly but it took a year of low productivity getting used to the environment. Great interview!
Hmm, that's very interesting!
The Feel Button I am in that early flux at the moment. I can see grimes of the promised land but it's tough some times isn't it?
@@Jamestaylorillustration23 it is tough but the audience is worth it. Cheers!
@@TheFeelButton Did you start by having 20-25 years of full time work beforehand? I did and am finding what you said to be true. I have been doing contracting work for a few months (8 hours at a computer, 5 days a week), then creative work for a few months, on and off like that. The first month or two of the creative period are tough regarding productivity. It's almost like having 20-25 years of full time work trains your brain to think, "OK, I'm at home now and I don't have to go to work today. The only time that I don't have to go to work is when I am sick or on holiday. OK, if that's the case, I've got time to just sit around and watch CZcams for a few hours...".
It's a mindset that needs retraining to make sure that time away from an office is not wasted because of old habits. I guess you may have experienced that too in some form when you moved to your isolated location.
I just realised this a few hours ago, so watching this particular CZcams video was well timed!
@@djn48 what a great comment! I worked nearly 30 full time years from 16 to 45. Manufacturing semiconductors for 17 and then a career in sales. The work was definitely a gift of experience and also gave me consistancy to learn how I work best. Cheers!
Loneliness and ALONENESS are two VERY DIFFERENT THINGS and these words are being confused here. Also, working best under pressure is not for everybody - that is a function of personality.
Agree that they are two completely different words/definitions. However, I have found that most true artists do produce best when experiencing some type of chaos, turmoil, stress, sadness, etc.
True. I love solitude, but often feel alone around people - especially when I have nothing in common with them. As the great Carl Jung said " Loneliness is not caused by lack of human company. It is caused by not being able to communicate the things that are important to you; having ideas that others find inadmissible". it is THIS- not the solitude which we need in order to work- which makes being an artist lonely at times, because SO many people are not remotely creative, and thus we find ourselves so often surrounded by people with whom we CANNOT communicate the things that are important to us; who find our ideas inadmissible.
For me it is crucial to be able to connect with other creative people when I can. I avoid unimaginative "grey all the way through" types like the plague.... which can be quite the challenge sometimes given how many of those phukkaz exist in the world O.o ....but this only drives me to seek solitude again, which leads me to create more, which leads to the peace which that brings. Sometimes that loneliness shits me, but it certainly makes me grateful for the likeminded souls i DO meet. At the end of the day, I am so eternally grateful for my creativity :)
That is another image I question, especially the "most" (which IS the public's usual view) But after giving this many years of serious thought, I question this too (as does Elizabeth Gilbert in an interview of hers I recently saw). Can you just imagine a Da Vinci or Michaelangelo (geez, am I spelling that right?) or a Grandma Moses or a Norman Rockwell in torment and turmoil inside and only being able to produce their art therefrom? This is actually a deeply held misconception by the public in my opinion. Sometimes and by some, sure, but being REQUIRED by most for art to result? Nope.
@@3leggedsharkkickssurferinballs Well said. And yes, eternally grateful . . .
@@sitdown3983 I agree that it's not required, but I do believe art and creative processes often spring from some type of turmoil, stress, anxieties, etc. As an example, I used to write creative free verse and was most prolific after some type of emotional upheaval in my life because that was the source for the pieces I wrote. But no, I don't believe torment and turmoil are required to produce art, but they seem to often work well together. Maybe Grandma Moses had an inner torment no one knew about ;)
I'm almost never lonely
Because I'm always productive, I don't have time to be lonely. I always have project going on.
CZcams recommended right, this is my life atm.
Ur a dumb bitch
soi Trezu bin hirer
Maybe because you lack originality
Work on ur confidence.then I might talk to u.ok
Figure out ur real name first, that'd be a good start
Our souls purpose of incarnating is to create. So we are all creators, some have been brave enough to embrace it
incarnate
verb
gerund or present participle: incarnating
/ˈɪnkɑːneɪt,ɪnˈkɑːneɪt/
embody or represent (a deity or spirit) in human form.
"the idea that God incarnates himself in man"
put (a concept or quality) into concrete form.
"a desire to make things which will incarnate their personality"
(of a person) be the living embodiment of (a quality).
"the man who incarnates the pain of the entire community"
💯💯💯🎩
Facing fears, being lonely, being vulnerable to rejection are powerful sources of creativity.
Being an artist/creative is indeed incredibley lonely but man, when night-time roles around and all is quiet it's my time, where I find solace in creation.
The one thing I can sit at for hours is my art.
I just can't find that kind of concentration for anything else. So I really enjoy sitting there for 8 to 10 hours and when I'm taking breaks or "ending" my workday I really feel satisfied. It is a great feeling to be able to have that kind of concentration and connection for your work.
But you also will never be able to disconnect when you need to really.
Your head will always be somewhere exploring a new idea.
How many hours watching CZcams videos?
For me creating art is a means of manifesting the unknown, my desires, my hopes, myself, creativity is a lonely process because that solitude will bring you a deeper understatement of who you are because expressing is that. Knowing who you are and knowing what you want! Once you decide you want to live from a creative perspective, everything changes. For me, the mystical and spiritual realms are highly necessary because it is part of the human necessity to find meaning and purpose.
We do not necessarily need to be an artist to be creative, but we humans need creativity to be fulfilled.
I'm young with a lot to learn still but one thing I've learned recently is to absorb like a sponge, get inspirations from other artists, paraphrase and know have an idea, a visualization of what you want, because if you start thinking about life you will realize it is kind of a dream and we need to be lucid! Once you are lucid dreaming you can create what you want!
As above so below...
There's a difference between being alone and being lonely. For me I am alone many times but I don't feel lonely. Experience may vary. Preference too.
This guy might be my new favourite person. This is the second interview with him I have watched and his outlook is very inspiring.
Loneliness can be a period of recovery from the continent. It can be a necessary balance in order to remain creative.
When he spoke about Picasso simply painting things as he saw them, a light went on. Picasso may not have been more creative than anyone around him but simply more courageous. He expressed himself no matter what. NO MATTER WHAT. It reminds me of a quote: "The employee embraces the world and changes himself accordingly. The artist embraces himself and changes the world accordingly." (A A Nicholas) Dr Atchity, thank you for putting it all out there for us artists. By the way, if I was that lady who got asked, "Don't you think it's time you went back to Arkansas and worked in the post office?" I would answer with, "I would, if only the Arkansas post office knew how to keep time." Elizabeth Gilbert called this the 'Trickster' vibe in her book, Big Magic - a must-read for any artist, accidental or aspiring - that one must be careful not to be too serious in this game because it is, actually, just a game. And if you try to make it pay your bills, you'll forget the most important part about it, and that is to have fun.
Thank you for the comment and book recommendation. Will check it out!
@@filmcourage You're most welcome! You'll love it! Some amazing stories and perspectives in it!
and people look at me like im crazy when i tell them i go to bed at 8pm to wake up at 4am.
I'm not sure and I really like all the comments and thoughts but I also love that we artists have this thing. This thing that kinda stems from us being a collective soul in an unusual environment. I think we tend to seek isolation in attempts to perfect out crafts. But for me, I have noticed that there is a bit of evolution in my creativity from stepping away from my art and coming back to it!! Whether it's a couple of hours or days(not too long though). I see and draw a bit better. My understandings are slightly improved. Being out and about has become a way for me to build my visual library. I fuckin love it. All the sights and all the sounds have become a way for me to improve my art. All my fantasies of story telling have derived from me being out in the world, reading, listening, and watching. Yes, there are many types of distractions. There always will be. None are as powerful as the distractions that are created deep inside your mind. Those come at any time. Worse while you're in the process of creating art. I love isolation. But not too much!! I'm learning to understand and embrace it all.
LaLiLuLeLoX I make stuff sometimes but I wouldn't say I'm an artist or creative. I'm interested in the idea of it but I think in my mind creative people are more like you. From what you write I'm imagining like a 1979s boho chic aesthetic with journals upon journals of poetry. I just think of ideas whereas other people create for seemingly no reason other than creating. Then after this video I feel guilty for even complaining hahaha. Tolkien published how many books! TS Elliot worked where! Its like too weird.
For me, it's all about being clear of any perceived judgement. Free-flow of ideas can happen with others but trust is a must.
Being an Artist is tournament and reward at the same time.
Dustin Winkler no doubt, there must be the coexistence of binaries: fire and ice, yin and yang -the juxtaposition of good vs evil
Am a fine artist who shares studio space with musicians. Can't create art at home alone, but need to share space with other creatives. We bring the best out in each other!
It is lonely, but it's necessary.
Sometimes I'm thinking very carefully about a composition and somebody walks in the room and wants to have a long conversation, and l can't just ignore them.
They might have something important to say.
That's why I'm the most productive at night, when everyone else is in the arms of Morpheus!
I talk to myself, though!
Lol! 😊🎨
The connection between art and loneliness at least in my life is undeniable. It is when I'm am in agonizing solitude does the art pull out of my soul. It's deeply cathartic and therapeutic. The whole reason I personally even got into the arts was because I felt desolatly alone it was my only comfort. The only peace.
I can totally recommend to own a dog to every artist especially writers. Walking the dog really helps me to recover and often I get most inspired observing him poop. Just kidding but it's really great to have somebody relaxing on your side while you work and I also get to know other dog owners. People I would never talk to if it wasn't for the dog and some elderly people tend to tell you interesting stories from their youth, war and stuff like that. It helps you to avoid being to isolated. I think it's also very healthy to leave your house at least three times a day and on long walks I keep on working in my head...
Love this comment Sven, thank you for posting.
Just make sure the dog doesn't endlessly bark at the sound of even the breeze.
The Creative Life can be very isolating and painful.
I believe that feeling lonely is a vital part of being an artist because this way you can be motivated to communicate, through your art, with the mass of other people (or continent as Dr Ken Atchity refered to them!)
Spiros Kagadis what a great perspective ... Spot on
Exactly.
This entire video is a gem. I hope every artist in every medium in every part of the world sees this.
Thanks Jermaine! We are glad this one found you.
I hate that I love loneliness but it is what fuels my creativity. I also enjoy my own company. I do my best work on the island when the continent is kept out. 🏝
This. Has. Spoken. VOLUMES to me!! Damn he hit so many truths about being an artist on the head!!
This is so good I've never heard any1 speak so logically about taking control of your creativity
Absolutely!
This interview with Ken was so incredibly helpful to me. In our culture, unless your parents or a mentor pass on wisdom about living an artist life and initiate you, then you go through life uninitiated, not understanding why you are an outsider and thinking somethings wrong. America is especially hard on artists. We are told to get a real job, and all of this, you know the drill. Ive found Europeans to be more supportive to artists in general. It was great to hear Ken speak about the artists way so deeply. Camille Paglia is another who speaks extremely well about this.
I think the idea of loneliness within the artist life is a common stigma. I can't think of a profession that seems so lonely even as a young artist as myself. Loneliness has always been apart of my life and I have to say most of my best works were made whenever I was alone.
I think it is something that most people need to understand that loneliness will always be there and it shouldn't be something to fear from. It is okay to be comfortable with yourself and yourself only. If delt with properly, you can easily manage your time for your work as well as for other life priorities but if you really want to seek happiness you must understand that where you want to go it will get lonely.
Now i feel normal. Cause in my resume i tell that i work best under pressure. Thought I was alone tho feeling / acting like this.
BLESS to all the creative minds here in the comments section.
I work well under pressure, but not stressed...
As an Artist, there is little happiness, however some of the good work comes from the strife and the quietness of being alone
It is lonely at the top, and also lonely at the bottom.
But is it lonely in the middle ? :D
The stigma "originates in people's families" is, regrettably, SO TRUE. I would love to take "Keeping Your Spirits Up for Creative People!" Love KA's books!
I escape insults, jealousy and verbal abuse..I know that sounds NEGATIVE.. but people do not understand my creativity.. I did lose my " friendly associates" friends since grade one.. that's okay..they don't get it ..So I LONG for solitude.
Sarah: I get it. For a long time, I believed that I would connect with someone, even just one person who 'gets it', who understands me, my need to be artistic and creative, my thoughts, someone who would want to know more about my work and inspiration, etc. But all I've ever encountered are people who are either completely non-creative and those who make no effort to even try and learn and appreciate art and creativity. I even believed that connecting with other artists would automatically mean we'd be on the same page, but I found that's definitely not true as most artists I've met in person have huge egos, a great deal of insecurity, and an unappealing competitive nature. So I have pretty much given up on the idea of that one person being out there somewhere. So I too, appreciate solitude.
@@NumberWhispers let's all appreciate solitude together! :P
@Sarah Cunningham there's nothing wrong with wanting to keep away from all that. It's not so much any kind of "negative" avoidance as it is simply honouring and respecting your own personal boundaries. This is something to be proud of. It is the constant exposure to toxic, naysaying, unimaginative turds ( who lack the capability to be even remotely interesting let alone creative) that causes the loneliness. When this occurs, creativity becomes not merely an escape, but a psychological necessity.
I absolutely relate to the frustration.....I know it's not easy, but, try to take comfort in the fact that SO many of the commenters here GET IT. ( I certainly do!) And most- if not all- of us understand the solitude thing. We are all in good company! . Remember: it's easy to follow the crowd and be a sycophantic little People Pleaser. Such idiots are EVERWHERE. It takes foresight, intelligence, and fortitude to honour one's authenticity in the face of such opposition. Peace and best of luck to you!
@@3leggedsharkkickssurferinballs Indeed about appreciating solitude together! And per your reference to "toxic, naysaying, unimaginative turds who lack the capability to be even remotely interesting let alone creative" . . . yes . . . yes . . . they are everywhere around us and your description is apt. Thank you for all your comments, you've helped reinforce my belief that there must be a some souls out there in the world who feel and think as I do. Peace ~
@@NumberWhispers Peace to you too, my friend. There are indeed likeminded souls about...they can be a little difficult to find, but they're out there! I lose hope sometimes, but when I see vids and comments like these, it shows there are kindred spirits about :)
How true! When I was a tailor who made 18th century men's clothes I had to have silence. If someone came to visit and watched. They were not allowed to talk , but I much rather have noone there. I couldn't have a radio. I was in deep thought.
For the past two years I have a hobby to make products out of wood. For one year I was challenge by my wife, son, and friend to make furniture. I had the artist juices following.
This past week I made an unusual birdhouse for my granddaughters for Christmas. At first it was a blank birdhouse. I just looked at for a while. Then the ideas struck. I would take along break. Then back at it to complete an idea.
Two months ago my youngest brother wanted to see pictures I have taken. I mail him 35 pictures of birdhouses I made and other subjects. I type on a sheet of paper why I took that shot.
Just last week he called. One of the questions he asked. Why did I design a birdhouse a certain way. What was I thinking.
Like what? My brother is an artist who is dealing with bipolar. He has lost his way.
I love Dr. Atchity. I have never enough of listening to him. I could attend a thousand courses and still not learn as much as I learn from him, not only about the craft but the life of a writer itself, which is equally, if not more, important. He always speaks so calmly and eloquently, so sensibly, no sugarcoating, but also no obnoxiousness or discouraging, which can be observed among some (not all) other screenwriting 'gurus' I had the displeasure of interacting with. Never mind. I love watching Film Courage videos in the morning, while drinking my coffee, as a kind of 'class' for the craft, and interviews with Dr. Atchity so far has been the most pleasurable.
Thank you!
Alone isn't lonely. I can feel lonely in a room full of people but they're all on their phones so I don't feel connected to them. I can be alone and feel more connected. Plus it feels like my brain can breathe when Im alone. I can think clearer and I have tons of ideas. As a musician and songwriter, being alone is something to cherish and treat like gold bc it is.
"Only a crowd can make you feel so alone" -Keith Richards
So that's why I'm so unproductive. I'm too damn comfortable.
Also why timed figure drawings on video don’t get me to work but Zoom figure drawing meetings with live models do.
The sad truth is that fear is the greatest motivator of all. When you fear losing your job, or an opportunity, or a relationship, that's when you work the hardest.
I could listen to him for hours, and often do.
“From a rational life to a creative life” excellent quote!!
‘I’m a producer.’
‘What do you do?’
‘I produce things.’ And walk away.
I'm understanding myself a lot more after listening to this lovely man. I don't have any artist friends so they don't understand me but I feel this man would. Suddenly it seems normal for my mind to work over time and for me to feel frustrated when life gets in the way of you making things that you are just compelled from somewhere to make. Thank you for that xx
Wow, Dr. Ken Atchity is brilliant. Best 30 min for me this month.
Christian, we imagine you take in a lot of great information from a lot of different sources so that is a great compliment. We're glad we had the opportunity to spend some time with Dr. Ken, capture it and share it. Cheers!
Pressure at times is necessary, but the creative rhythm is different, but also solitude is necessary is to focus. An artist hour is an odd timing, forever. I am a night owl quite often...
I prefer to be alone when I'm painting or in my creative mode, but not lonely as I'm in my zone, but weirdly I feel the loneliness when I'm lacking inspiration and I'm having a creative block, its hard to explain the feeling, kinda emptiness but still hundreds or emotions going through my head and still unable to channel that into art
I got up at 3 am so I could go create my VR worlds and program / Animate etc reached for my tablet while I fought with myself from leaving my comfy Dog and Cat all cuddled up with me. Reach for my tablet and found this. What a nice interview! I do everything I can, to Start my work 'day' at Midnight, it usually ends ip more like 4... But either way, the night is mine! When I can do the complex impossible things that require total focus. When I can make the magic.
As a writer, I cannot agree more.
Dr. Ken Atchity's voice is very pleasant.
I'm already lonely af, so perfect!
After listening to this interview I feel sane 😇...
the understanding this man has, we all wish the world had.
Being alone and practicing guitar is one of my favourite (I hope that's how you spell it) things. My tremendous family is the greatest company :)
This is exactly what I needed to hear. Feeling a bit less lonely for a second. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Wow. As an artist, this speech was amazing!!! It spoke directly to my soul. Thankyou.
Glad this one found you Angelina!
ooof this interview kicked my ass and im so grateful
"Writing at its best is a lonely life. The writer grows in public stature, as he sheds his loneliness, and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone, and if he is a good enough writer, he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day. It is because we have had such great writers in the past, a writer is driven far out past where he can go; out to where no one can help him." -- Ernest Hemingway
'Out to where no one can help him' is my favourite place to be. :-)
This would perfectly explain why George RR Martin has not finished GoT. Eve since became famous(because of the show) he slowed down completely.
Dr. Ken Atchity is always full of wisdom. I love his interviews.
We agree. Thank you for watching!
I would love to take a class by Dr. Ken . He is an artist who is for artists.An artist who has such a teacher's anointing .We need more artists who are willing to help other artists by teaching based on experience Thanks Film courage!
I love working alone in my basement away from everything my mind is so clear and I can really focus on the drawing that I'm doing
That’s crazy my most creative time is when I have work in the morning and haven’t got any sleep
Great discussion!
There is a loneliness involved in creative processes that nobody around is going to understand. There's no good way to bridge the gap between what they do understand, and where your process functions... what you understand. There are tons of carpenters around my area, for instance. They frame... set shear-panels (plywood work)... insulate... cover... and even finishing work. There are cabinet and furniture makers, among them.
When I do "that" kind of carpentry, it's almost exclusively on "pre-code" houses and buildings. It's places where there is no book for those plans. There's no standard measurement. Behind the plaster, you have NO idea where the hell to even look for a stud. It's a gigantic puzzle and not so much as a scrap note about who did it, how it was done, or any of the "meat and potatoes" from that time period to look up...
I get told, "You're out of your d*** mind." a LOT. I get work, because I'm literally "the only guy crazy enough to try that".
SO I steamed and pressed wood into the right curvatures. I made sure the panels had enough "substance" to them. AND then I put dowels into a drill and "crudely turned" them to shapely tapers and twists. Then I chiselled grooves around the ends, "just about so"... (laughably enough) and started carving and fitting the panels down into those grooves. When glued, and finished in spray lacquer, I was adorning the most recent house's front porch with "wooden long-stem roses", just to add another touch of "wonder" to the thing.
Nobody's going to notice that the original cloth coated (highly flammable) wiring was carefully extracted and replaced with modern, good, house-wire. Nobody's even going to care that the original switch-plates could stay, while the mechanics of the switches under them were replaced with new updated stuff without "hurting" the look of something built before the civil war... and last updated before WWI.
Most are going to notice the rose-blossom motif of the front gate, all wrought iron. They'll notice that I did acid-wash the stuff to give it a rustic look. (basically hit it with phosphoric acid to resist water/weather best, and to blacken it...lolz) BUT absolutely every single one of them noticed the "very unique" wooden long-stem roses standing in the front flower-box near the door. Even folks who have been in wood-work for thirty or forty years were trapped, marveling at them.
BUT... Tomorrow, I'll be told a dozen more times, "You're out of your d*** mind." The same as usual... I shrug it off. Loneliness exists... Sure. It's the kind of loneliness that comfortably happens as part of the nature of the business. It's comfortable, because even while you're a bit lonely, you can enjoy NOT being distracted with petty BS. You don't need to waste time justifying your work or activity. You don't need to waste time explaining to people who neither want or actually intend to understand it... whatever "it" is. You don't need to repeat your affections to someone who has no intention of returning them. AND there are people who only seek to suck out absolutely as much time and energy as they can from someone else.
...not everyone... but they do exist.
It's okay being alone. It's even okay being uncomfortably alone. There's always a time and place to go when you need (and you will NEED) a break from it... but there's nothing wrong with embracing the experience of truly, remarkably, even disturbingly being alone.
...and for the record... I don't think you "just get rid of those feelings" when you work. I think you work to focus, and let those feelings "sit on the back burner" while you hone your focus and skills in the work. BUT... it is worth pointing out, that it's just my opinion. ;o)
gnarth d'arkanen: You should write a novel. Great descriptions.
@@thereseember2800 Thanks... and as soon as I get something worked out on what that novel should be... I probably will.
I occasionally joke that I'm actually working on my fifth... only the first four haven't worked out to fruition yet, either. ;o)
I feel like this often, “not feeling like I’ve gotten enough done,” when I’m actively participating in events that encourage my progress; recording, writing, painting, talking, ideating, conceptualizing- but will still feel like I’ve not completed enough- or like no work was actually done- but to others it looks like I’m doing A LOT. This is a great interview for the person that identifies as a creative -
It's funny but although I love the dead of night I realised long ago that my mind is sharpest in the early morning. But drawing, at night with a film on TV in the background is when I feel most content, however, content doesn't necessarily produce the best work? Or does it? Maybe I fool myself into believing that because I just love the pure indulgence in the midnight hour.....
Oh yess artist 🧑🎨 think alike
11:36 he hit the nail right on the head, it’s how they react when you tell them you’re going to be a writer or an actor or a circus clown etc