The Artists' Dual Nature

​Last week PBS conducted an excellent two part interview with Bruce Springsteen.   The interviewer asked him candidly about his bouts with depression, which the Boss as suffered throughout his life.  Springsteen explained that based on his life and those of many artists he has known; artists often have a dual nature. 
One part of the artists suffers from crushing doubt and insecurity.  That is the voice inside the artists that judges – and always judges in the negative.  The voice tells us our work is worthless and we are wasting our time trying to be creative.  It doesn’t matter what type of artists you are, a painter, a performing artist, a writer – it is a part of anyone living a creative life.
The second aspect of the artist is a tremendous ego and drive to create and express that creativity in whatever way you’ve chosen.  Many artists, in an attempt to explain their creativity and the energy they devote to it, express the creative urgency they feel.  Many writers, when asked, explain they write because they must, it is who they are as unique people.  I have written in blogs previously that writing is not what I do, writing is who I am and the words express that person.
Springsteen believes it is the duality in the artists that creates the magic of our art.  It is the constant battle between the Ying and Yang in our lives.  Springsteen believes he needs both aspects of his nature to live and to create his art.  He also expressed that his acceptance of the dual nature has made a tremendous difference in his creative life.
As we close the chapter of 2016 and begin to turn page one of 2017 as artists we need to reflect on our nature.  While it may not make any sense, it is our reality.  Accept it.  Use it.  Let it guide you to an energetic, creative, productive, achieving your potential, 2017.