Connecting with other humans is one of the main pillars of Art Will Save You’s mission. Through spreading the message, ART WILL SAVE YOU, we’ve had lots of interesting conversations.

Some people make jokes - Who’s Art? Some people share a story without saying anything at all by giving a knowing nod or smile.

Some have expressed another viewpoint: Art as a destroyer of lives. The story goes that the compulsion to create drove the creator to drink, to abuse, and ultimately to die.

We’ve been digesting this last one for some time - as it’s important to do when someone shares a story that has deeply affected them.

How can we help new artists not fall victim to this story?

We think Elizabeth Gilbert may have the answer - or at least part of it - and it lies in the use of the word “genius.” Instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius.

Take a look and leave your thoughts and stories in the comment section - or email us if you want to keep it private!I

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.