Housing for a typical bohemian of the 1850s was a small, sparsely furnished room in the attic of an apartment building, as these units were cheaper in Paris than apartments on the lower floors. Many stairs, often hundreds, had to be climbed to access the superior rooms. Sometimes several students shared a suite of rooms and focused on their art while inspiring others. Food for the hungry artist was often limited to small amounts of items such as potatoes, cheese and herring. If a bohemian had some money, it was customary to offer other bohemians a good meal of lobster and wine. They have little money and a lot of talent (or not). Being an artist is not a career with a regular salary, and art supplies are expensive. Artists who have not yet achieved commercial success (or who have not been taken over by a wealthy patron) often live poorly. While a hungry artist is likely to stay home sulking after facing rejection, an artist determined to succeed will be looking for the next big opportunity. There is a clear line between tortured and starving artists.
The idea of the “tortured artist” and the artist`s journey to freedom from fear have long been romanticized in our culture. And why shouldn`t it be? After all, art is a reflection of humanity, and the ability to overcome adversity is one of humanity`s greatest virtues. While no one chooses to deal with trauma, depression, broken families, and personal demons; Purposely starving for art is something many artists seem to be doing these days. Jens` strongest message to actors would be: “You`re a small business owner and an entrepreneur. Your art is your product. You are responsible for your marketing, branding, production, public relations, finances and YOU NEED CAPITAL to take off like any business. The mentality of the “hungry artist” is a way to absolve oneself of responsibility and not take responsibility for one`s destiny. The use of the term “bohemian” was inspired by Bohemia from the part of the Czech Republic known as Bohemia, but did not refer to all aspects of the current bohemian way of life. The French and other nationalities tended to view bohemians and gypsies as fraudsters and circus people rather than real performers.
The Frenchman used the term “bohemian” to describe a hungry artist linked only to the poor but free-spirited attitude of bohemians and gypsies. To avoid being a hungry artist, you should try to increase your presence because an entrepreneur would expand his influence. The trope “The Starving Artist” has been passed down from generation to generation and only relieves artists who try to promote their work of responsibility. It also prevents many talented young artists from pursuing their dreams because they are afraid of not being able to support themselves and their families later in life. We are often expected to do the “right thing” in life, even if it means sacrificing all our happiness. As an artist, you have to accept rejections for what they are: part of the process. As a creative, it`s normal to think that once you worry too much about how to make money, the desire to create something meaningful will take a back seat. And eventually, you`ll lose sight of the purpose that led you to become an artist. As tragic as it may seem, there is some truth to the saying that an artist must suffer for his art to be good. Creating art is a small part of the equation; The big picture is about marketing yourself and your product, making connections, and planning for better things.
Some artists avoid selling themselves for fear of sounding “too mainstream” or greasy, but let me remind you that your most loyal fans won`t care at all. Due to the fact that many influential artists have starved artists in the past, the inherent dramatic potential of being talented but without money, and the lure of living a life without material possessions, these depictions are often quite romantic. If they have all the hungry but no talent, they are gifted with evil. If they are still in art school, they are also hungry students. If they wear shabby clothes and eat Mac & Cheese because they`re actively trying to project the image of a struggling artist, they`re probably a hipster. The list of writers, poets, actors and painters who have struggled with depression or even committed suicide is tragically long. Nevertheless, his work continues to this day, shaping and guiding us and future generations of artists. Some will even say that it was the act of suicide that immortalized the artist and all his art.
Some hungry artists desire mainstream success, but struggle because of high barriers to entry in fields such as visual arts, film industry, and theatre. These artists often occupy temporary positions such as waiters or other jobs in the service industry while turning their attention to the “breakthrough” in their chosen field.