That an artist needs to be depressed and drunk to do his best is utter myth
Discussion
yea im pretty sure that is a late stage post industrial christian work ethic thing
like to justify what is seen as frivolous & unserious .. indulgent .. desires .. play time
possibly coming from a guilt place?
idk
like if it is excruciating it is at least like being on a cross
hemingway said something about sitting down at a typewriter & bleeding
will say, gently & conversely tho, what is bringing someone to the point of stepping into artmaking in conscious awareness, as in, what it took to get them there, or what they were suffering from that cut off so many other avenues & options .. often appears as depression & heavy use of other substances to cope/medicate
in kinda a.. go willingly or get dragged there
many many many are dragged
so they arrive carrying the cost of the dragging
sadly, the people who believe that are not a myth