Artist Origin Stories

The Difference Between Being An Artist and Performing the Role of an Artist

Looking within is the best way to make sure you aren't getting in the way of your art.

When I was starting out as a playwright, I met an actor who was showbizzy in that New York theater way. When I introduced myself, he launched into his acting origin story. It was so abrupt that I’ve never forgotten it. It still makes me laugh. I didn’t ask why he became an actor, but he was more than happy to tell me. It was a canned response, and I was sure he had been coached on how to explain his identity as an actor.

Many years later, I can see that he was performing the role of an actor. He may actually be a good actor, but offstage, it is likely that he walked like he thought an actor should walk and talked like an actor should talk.

That might sound like a huge judgment to make about someone I had only met for a few minutes outside an audition room. But haven’t we all met someone who was more in love with the role of being an actor/writer/artist than being a human being? I’ve met people who love the role of being an artist, and I’ve met artists who are grounded and curious. In my opinion, the best artists are the latter. They have a clarity and authenticity that simply can’t be imitated.

The Artist Origin Story

If you watch closely, you can see how artists/actors/writers define the role for themselves. With enough observation, you may notice their personal myth about themselves. Some examples include the following:

• This artist believes they know more than you do about everything. Some of it comes from the certainty of status and class. Whether it’s real or not, they believe their job as an artist is to judge other people’s work, rather than staying focused on their own.

• This artist wants to reach the top of their profession. They have big dreams and goals, a cheering section that provides emotional support. Maybe they even have financial support from their family. But they believe they are the underdog because their ambition is bigger than they are.

• This artist is already an insider. They don’t speak to other artists outside of their group, instead looking at them with disdain. Oh, they would never call it disdain. Nor would they ever give a compliment or word of encouragement. Once you get on the inside, you have to be careful to associate with the right people.

• Then there’s the artist who simmers quietly. They create their work but have given up on the institutions, understanding that it isn’t the best work that’s picked. Nor is it the most important work. Stung by politics, this artist chooses to create their own studio, believing in the end that the people who are meant to find the work will discover it.

Reacting to Projections

I’ve been some of these examples, and I’ve observed them in others. For the most part, I try not to get into the psychology of those around me. However, when someone rubs me the wrong way, it’s tough not to stop and examine the conflict.

Out of all of these, I most resent the artist who views themselves as the underdog. Maybe it’s something about counting blessings, but if you have support from those around you and parents who don’t try to derail you, then are you really an underdog simply for pursuing the arts? I don’t think so. Also, this self-indulgent myth takes support away from people who are genuine underdogs. It’s important to maintain perspective.

What's Your Artist Origin Story?

Talking about these roles can seem judgmental and maybe it is. But ultimately, the idea is to look within. What is your relationship with being an artist? What do you believe about it? Do you feel like you have to gate-keep through gossip? Do you see yourself as an underdog? Have you given up sharing your work entirely? It’s important not to let your story get in the way of creating your art.