Alcohol.

The invention of alcohol is often attributed to friars from way back near the beginning of the last millenium. History would tell us that egyptians from over 4000 years ago certainly enjoyed their wine and there’s even evidence that fermented beverages were enjoyed as far back as 10000 B.C.

Wherever the truth lies, since its creation alcohol has been at the part of our society. For better or for worse alcohol has been a guest at the party whether he’s wearing a lampshade on his head and telling the best one-liners you’ve ever heard or throwing up all over your shoes.

Alcohol has also become synonymous with the Art world and there are many examples throughout history to support this relationship. Jackson Pollock, famous Abstract Expressionist painter was a raging alcoholic who died in a drunken car crash. Absinthe, a drink distilled with grande wormwood was very popular in turn of the century France with artists and writers. Due to its proposed psychoactive effects it has been blamed for many psychotic breaks. Go to any art opening and I’m sure you’ll find beer, wine and spirtis in abundant supply. Alcohol is ubiquitous.

I’ve had my run in’s with alcohol over the years too. Most of us have, and if you haven’t, you probably will. We’ve tried it and some of us will really enjoy it. And that’s okay. The imbibing of alcohol is a privilege afforded to those of legal age in our society and they’re totally free to choose to drink or not. I respect that.

Something I don’t respect and something you shouldn’t either is incorporating alcohol into the ritual of your private practice unless it’s used as a medium to assist in the physical creation of your artwork itself.

Let me tell you a little story.

Before I met Cath, I lived alone. Now, don’t feel sorry for me. I was a fiercely private individual and I required solitude to do my painting. I liked flying solo. While I was living like this I was painting quite a lot. Not only was I painting, but I was drinking too — while painting. Every night I would return home from work having hit up the beer store for my nightly provisions and I’d set to work, painting. This worked out okay —  for a while.

Soon I found that my work started to suffer. It’s not that it was getting sloppy or that I was coming up with poor concepts. More that the work itself just wasn’t getting done. Alcohol started to intrude on my practice by making me sluggish and lacksidaisical. I wasn’t accomplishing my goals. I’d find myself more drawn to the couch than my easel. I was falling victim to one of the cliched pigeonholes of being an artist. Was I in charge of my creative tendencies or was alcohol?

Well, this couldn’t go on. Eventually I had to level with myself and ask why it was so important that I drink while painting? Ultimately it wasn’t important, certainly not as important as getting my work done so I threw alcohol away. My desire to succeed as an artist was more powerful than alcohols hold on me and I got back to work.

Unfortunately, alcohol had left it’s mark. Even though I was consciously no longer interested in drinking I continued to think about it and desire it – but only when I was painting. I had linked drinking and my painting practice together by pursuing them at the same time. The result was that I continued to desire doing both even when one of them was detrimental to the other. It was like a bad habit that I had to shake twice. Once physically and a second time procedurally.

I relapsed many times sinking into the habit of drinking again while painting. It was never a lot but it was enough to be a weight around my neck hindering me from accomplishing my artistic goals. I’d throw it away again and then yearn for it while I worked once more. Cath got pissed at me. I got pissed at me. The situation was not good.

Today, I don’t even remember what that used to feel like. I’m so consumed with my private practice remaining professional that the thought of alcohol is nonexistent while I’m working. Now instead of thinking about drinking while painting I’m thinking about how  a 24 hour day isn’t long enough to accomplish all I have in mind.

The purpose of this article isn’t to warn you away from the dangers of alcohol consumption. Far from it. Drink all you want. It’s your choice and I’m in no position to judge how you live your life. All I’m saying, as a warning to all of you out there who would seek to be professional artists, emersing your life in the creation of Art, don’t make drinking part of your personal practice. You’ll get burned either by ellusive success and lackluster performance or a fiery car wreck. Take my word for it. Its a roadblock that you don’t need.

There’s a time and a place for everything. When you’re hosting your very first solo show, have a drink to celebrate.

For now, that is all. Goodnight.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 at 1:46 pm and is filed under Articles, on ART . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.