The Problem of Pain: Why hurting artists must keep creating

The wail of a blues singer. The mournful tone of a requiem. The sad echoes of a song to a departed loved one.

Pain has always motivated artists to create expressions to deal with loss and sadness, and some of these expressions become our most beloved works of art.

We channel our wounds into works full of emotion.

In fact, sometimes it seems we are at our creative best when we feel the worst.

Why is that?

Is pain a necessary part of being a great artist?

Do we have to go through...