• What if Romeo and Juliet (from the famous tragedy of the 16th century by W. Shakespeare) did not take the poison…?
• What if the young Werther (from Goethe`s foundational work of Literature `The Sorrows of Young Werther`) would leave Lotte and move on…?
• What if someone told the wandering miller ` from the Die schöne Müllerin` of Schubert that stalking his love interest is not a language of love?

These foundational works of literature and Art have one thing in common, their heroes take pride in their pain. Suffering is seen as an act of grace. From today’s modern perspective, this is considered dysfunctional, but that does not seem to change the fact that romanticizing the pain of romantic suffering remains a bestseller for centuries being one of the biggest money-maker themes in the entertainment industry!

Before the aforementioned pieces of art and literature were created, there were ancient Greek Tragedies like Medea, and Antigone (among others), which also demonstrated suffering, but simultaneously delivered evenly through the whole play many different messages of deep wisdom to the audience. They were complex and multilayered.

Later there is a new phenomenon making its appearance with the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet` creating a whole domino effect in the field of arts.

Among others Goethe (Literature) and Schubert (Composer) followed the new wave, as well as Rachmaninov (Composer) Prokofiev (Composer), Arthur Laurents wrote `The West Side Story` mapping Shakespeare’s story, and numerous films followed this schema up until the moderns times with the talented pop-stars Tailor Swift and Billie Eilish!

Romantic pain sells, and no one can deny it. There is a magnetism to it that did not get past the radar of singers, songwriters, and filmmakers across centuries.

Pain is real, it has to be processed. But making a permanent station there does not seem a very nice idea… Or does it? What happens when the alluring fantasy gets real?

Let`s zoom into a phenomenon in Europe called `Werther Fever` (late 18th century shortly after the novel’s publication in 1774) where Young men took their own lives in imitation of their hero Werther.

The Sorrows of Young Werther (Die Leiden des jungen Werthers) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a foundational work of romantic Literature. In this novel, the protagonist takes his own life in the name of a romantic disappointment. Taking pride in suffering and idolizing pain is the main theme.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – ROMEO AND JULIET

If you never heard about Romeo and Juliet it is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, who is considered to be one of the most renowned playwrights and poets in the English language.

Here is the plot of the tragedy in a nutshell:

The protagonists are two young innocent characters. Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love! The families of the protagonists are dealing with a Vendetta which makes Romeo and Juliet’s relationship a big scandalous secret. In the name of their love, the characters swear to stay connected forever, even if that means… the afterlife.

Shocked by the death of their children, their families wake up from their ego trip and make amends. The final scenes of the final act show how important it is to forget about rivalries in the name of peace and prosperity. This is a great message, much needed in our human societies. But rarely is the play remembered for that, understandably because the main part of the play is focused on idolizing the allure and the play between beauty and pain between the two main protagonists.

Shakespeare`s well-written script, and clever scenes with some charismatic actors, can make Romeo and Juliet“s relationship an alluring fantasy! A dangerous one!

TAILOR SWIFT- I HATE IT HERE

If you never heard about Tailor Swift. She is a very accomplished talented pop-star. Here is an example of her main theme.

Song title: TODAY

I’m lonely, but I’m good

I’m bitter, but I swear I’m fine

I’ll save all my romanticism for my

inner life and I’ll get lost on purpose

This place made me feel worthless

Lucid dreams like electricity,

the current flies through

• Would it be a time when we had collectively enough of the same old tragedy and got bored of wandering in the fantasy land of graceful suffering?
• Do you think we are processing emotions in our society or normalizing an addiction to pain?

*icon by Wickalien

featured image :  indebted to the Database of Mid-Victorian Illustration and The Illustration Archive, directed by Prof. Julia Thomas

Negative feedback could be constructive or malicious. Good feedback could be flattery or honest admiration. Being able to differentiate and make this a constructive process for yourself, is dependent on how well you stand your ground as a person. How strong is your confidence, self-awareness, and level of ego?

Being able to listen to criticism good or bad, is a sign that you keep developing as an Artist. But -listening to criticism- and -implying it in your work-, are two different things.

All Artists have been at that place – We polished our Music performance or wrote our new theater Play, or Poem. When our piece is ready we all wonder:

– Can it be better before I present my work?

Questioning can be a very productive process, but also a bottomless pit of stress because the process of `getting better` never stops – a double-edged sword! I choose to see it this way: There is always more depth to reach, and skills can be always better polished, which keeps the process inspiring and fun!

One has to find the golden middle about when `getting better is enough` to go on stage/deliver an Illustration. A deadline usually helps a lot. :)

In the process of development, it helps to get feedback from:

• our trusted mentors ( By the way, great mentors never tell you exactly what to do…)
• renowned Professionals in our field
• friends who are creative too
• random people who do not know your background
• kids! (There is a Greek proverb that says `From kids and eccentrics you will know the truth`)

Not only asking for feedback is important, but being willing to listen as well!

A new creation is like our baby, we could get frustrated quickly when listening to especially negative criticism… Good or bad feedback, remember that it is all criticism, and opinions that are relative to the eye of the observer. This will give you a new perspective(s) on your creation. This is incredibly valuable! Beware that you might receive:

• a new perspective
• constructive critisism
• negative criticism

Once you listened carefully you should learn how to cherrypick. This will only make you grow greater as an Artist! But remember, you are always in charge of your Creation, you decide at the end!

A new creation is like our baby, we could get frustrated quickly when listening to especially negative criticism… Good or bad feedback, remember that it is all criticism, and opinions that are relative to the eye of the observer. This will give you a new perspective(s) on your creation. This is incredibly valuable! Beware that you might receive:

• a new perspective
• constructive critisism
• negative criticism

Once you listened carefully you should learn how to cherrypick. This will only make you grow greater as an Artist! But remember, you are always in charge of your Creation, you decide at the end!

*Featured Image by Image by interiorlens from pixabay.com

Back with a topic on Creativity!

We are all born creative, but not all embrace it as much. I try to follow where creativity leads me as much as possible. When it is not possible, I will do all I can and wait until it becomes possible!

Creativity belongs to self-development and growth.

If you want to be more creative, there is a serious commitment you need to make with your creativity! Just with life-long relationships that are meaningful to you. You cannot have a `Situationship` with your creativity if you envision tapping back into your creative powers again. The process requires care, attention, patience, and love!

An important highlight on the topic of paying attention to your creativity is to keep listening where `the winds of creativity flow at the moment!`. The direction could change from what it used to be 30, 10, or 2 years ago. This is normal, as you evolve your creativity evolves together with you. Being able to change fronts is an essential part of the process.

The other problematic topic when one engages their creative powers I call `the syndrome of thousand ideas`. Creative people tend to have so many ideas coming right at them, sometimes they feel lost. What helped me, to avoid procrastinating or feeling overwhelmed with many things at a time is the following: I make a list of all ideas. Then I read it carefully, maybe saying it out loud. Then I get alert on the feeling that comes up. Sure thing, each idea has a different feel to it. I go for what feels the most joyful and fun.

Please note: going further with the idea surely involves hard work, and not everything will be joyful and fun all the time… This is normal. But if you feel like things get a bad turn for real, it is never too late to quit one direction, (usually) after your creative project has been completed.

There is always a lesson involved in any creative project involved, successful or not. The best attitude is to realize that wisdom you gained, and go forth to the `next thing` that feels right for you. Regarding all of the above, it becomes apparent that one needs to be brave to find into their creative process. Getting the support of a mentor is very helpful on that note. All acquaintances or friends do not have to agree or understand where you are going with your creativity. That is okay, and it does not matter because your creativity belongs to you.

Happy Spring! :)

*Photo by Jr Korpa