Great Expectations and the Anatomy of an Artist
There are many facets to an artist, but one quality that most, if not all artists possess to some degree is in... in... insecurity. There! I've said it. Not that I want to admit it but it's true, if we're honest that is. So who wants to show that bit of dirty laundry? NO ONE! That's a character flaw for Pete's sake. So, we cover it up, or try to anyway.
It is 200 years ago today that Charles Dickens was born, and as a consequence there is much in the media celebrating his life and amazing writings. I heard Simon Callow, the actor and also biographer of a new book on Dickens, say today : '"Dickens' greatest fiction was his own character.....People think of him as a jolly chap ... but he was ... increasingly plagued with depression and a sense of hopelessness and despair. And that's worth knowing. I think it's always good to know that great creative individuals have their struggle, their drama." How well put. Or as writer friend said to me when I asked, "do you ever wonder if you're good enough?" and he answered, as he puffed on his pipe, "Ah yes, that is a question we really don't want to ask ourselves."
So then I think, perhaps it is the insecurity that drives us on in some way, to prove to ourselves that we do have a gift, but then we try to take it back as if we were the source, rather than what it is, a gift.
