There’s no doubt: art has an immense impact on our thoughts and feelings. Every time we look at an artwork, we inevitably feel something. Be it admiration, delight, indifference, irritation, annoyance, rejection, disgust.
Be it positive, negative or neutral—whatever it is, we do feel something. Some artists even say that their sole purpose of creating art is to make people feel.
So much for the feeling side of the viewer. But what about the creator of the artwork. How do they feel?
Do artists feel things differently? Are they more sensitive than the rest of the population? Is it that artistic sensitivity that allows them to create powerful visuals that appeal to the emotions of their audience?
In two recent posts, I already spoke about why artists are so weird and that they actually have different brains; that’s why artistic people are so different.
Today, we want to find out if artistic people are more sensitive than non-artists and how their artistic sensitivity may influence how they see and experience the world. Let’s get into it!
Are artistic people more sensitive?
~Pearl S. Buck
Have you already had that feeling, too? That something is wrong with you? That you are not normal? That you perceive and feel way more than the people around you?
Well, then you are maybe one of those inhumanly sensitive artists. In fact, artists are often highly sensitive by nature, which allows them to find inspiration and beauty in places that others may not. This is actually what makes an artist an artist. It’s your gift. Because if you didn’t see what others don’t, you wouldn’t be an artist. Right?
However, that high sensitivity often makes artists susceptible to the sadness and gloominess that other, less creative and less sensitive, people don’t see. When everyone around you doesn’t seem to see and feel what you are feeling, you might start to feel isolated, shy, and simply “wrong.” But you don’t have to.
It’s very likely that the majority of artists feel things differently than the rest of the world.
But why is that? Why do artists feel things differently?
Why do artists feel things differently?
Artists have complex, multi-layered personalities. They are full of contradictions. As I already mentioned in my post about why artists are weird, for example, they can be introverts and extroverts at the same time. This makes them hard to figure out for their surroundings.
The reason why artistic people are so different is because they have more intense sensory experiences.
They perceive everything with higher intensity. This includes visual impressions, sounds, smells, lights, and so on. This allows them to pick up things in their environment that others might miss.
Related: Intelligence And Creativity: Do Artists Have A High IQ?
Artists do feel things deeply, because they are more sensitive and vulnerable. Their sensitivity allows them to experience great joy and happiness. But their vulnerability also makes them prone to pain and suffering.
~Edvard Munch
What does that artistic sensitivity mean for artists in real life? Let’s have a look at some examples.
The meaning of artistic sensitivity: some real-life examples
Joe Behen, PhD, Executive Director of Counseling, Health, and Disability Services at SAIC, describes the meaning of artistic sensitivity as follows:
“Artists, as a whole, are more empathic than non-artists. They’re more sensitive. They tend to have more fluid, permeable personal boundaries that allow them to connect to people in meaningful, emotional ways.”
We know that some of the great performers that you wouldn’t believe to be highly sensitive are extroverted and bold on stage—especially when they are in the flow. But when the show is over, they are “themselves” again; they are shy and seeking solitude to recharge their batteries.
Related: How To Get Into The Flow State In Art – And Stay There!
However, it’s not just about the famous performers. There are many highly sensitive persons (HSPs) around and most of them have difficulty moving around in mainstream society. Why? Because our society is not really open to the needs of HSPs and rather considers high sensitivity as weakness.
Many HSPs have already made such experiences in their childhood. They are extremely responsive to what’s going on around them. If there are other kids who are sad and crying, a highly sensitive child might start to cry as well.
How often have people told you that you are “too sensitive”? I remember that it happened to me a couple of times when I was a kid. In kindergarten, with my parents, and later on in school… Although it might be done with the best of intentions, it’s a form of shaming that leaves sensitive people believing something is wrong with them.
Are you a highly sensitive artist?
If you are an artist feeling things differently and having been accused of being “too sensitive” by your environment, chances are you are an HSP. 15 to 20 percent of the population are considered to be highly sensitive. But among artists and other creatives, that percentage is likely to be much higher.
To get a bit more clarity, you can answer the questions below that are part of a self-test from Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Person:
- I seem to be aware of subtleties in my environment.
- Other people’s moods affect me.
- I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days, into bed or into a darkened room or any place where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation.
- I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens close by.
- I am made uncomfortable by loud noises.
- I am deeply moved by the arts or music.
- I startle easily.
- I become unpleasantly aroused when a lot is going on around me.
- Changes in my life shake me up.
- I notice and enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, works of art.
- I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.
- When I was a child, my parents or teachers seemed to see me as sensitive or shy.
If you answered true to half or more of the questions, you are probably a highly sensitive person.
I could answer all of the above questions with a big YES—and could complain that my heightened sensitivity makes my life comparably harder. BUT, this is also where my love for the arts comes from: HSPs enjoy and are deeply moved by works of art!
Why you shouldn’t suppress your artistic sensitivity
Well, if you are a highly sensitive creative being, you know that your artistic sensitivity can be both a curse and a blessing. A curse, because it’s not easy to find your way in this society.
On the other hand, high levels of sensitivity also come with spirituality, intuition, and an appreciation of the arts.
Related: Why Artists Should Follow Their Intuition & Why They Sometimes Don’t
Many highly sensitive people say that art is a way to express themselves. It’s an essential factor in their lives because it helps them bridge the gap between their inner and their outer worlds.
Even if you have already thought countless times, “I wish I wouldn’t be so sensitive, it would make my life easier,” it’s important to remember that it is that sensitivity that led you to creating art. It’s your blessing, because it lets you see and feel things that other people miss and channel them into your artwork.
So, stay that artist who feels things differently—even if some people might find it weird. Your artistic sensitivity is your gift!
If you are feeling demotivated and all alone at times, I recommend getting a boost of inspiration! I have a set of 365 printable cards with artist quotes for you that will spark your creativity each day of the year anew. You will quickly see that you are not alone with your struggles. Even the greatest artists had to deal with hardship. Why not let their words inspire you to keep going!
Stay inspired all year long!
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I hope that this post helped you understand why artists feel things differently. It’s ok to be sensitive. Celebrate your artistic sensitivity—not everyone has it! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I’d love to hear from you! Make sure to sign up for my email list below so you don’t miss out on new blog posts and other cool stuff. ♥
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