The Hidden Costs of Creativity

The Hidden Costs of Creativity: Emily Carr, Vincent van Gogh, and the Toxic Side of Art

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

When we think of Vincent van Gogh or Emily Carr, we often celebrate their vivid brushwork, emotional depth, and contributions to the art world. But what’s often left out of the conversation is how their physical materials—the very pigments that brought their visions to life—may have silently contributed to their suffering.

🎨 Mixing Their Own Paints

Both Carr and Van Gogh were hands-on painters. In a time before standardized tubes of paint were widely available, artists had to grind their own pigments and mix them with oils or solvents. This meant direct, repeated exposure to substances now known to be dangerous and neurotoxic, such as:

• Lead White (Flake White) – Beloved by painters, but extremely toxic.
• Chromium Greens – Contain chromium salts, now classified as hazardous.
• Cadmium Reds and Yellows – Vibrant, but dangerous in powder form.
• Mercury-based Vermilion – Could affect the nervous system.
• Turpentine and Gasoline – Used to clean brushes and thin paint, both releasing harmful fumes.

Emily Carr reportedly cleaned her brushes with gasoline and used it to thin her paints. Imagine the fumes, the headaches, the long hours in unventilated rooms—layer upon layer of exposure. Maybe why she loved painting outdoors. And Van Gogh? God only knows what he inhaled, absorbed, or drank.

🧠 Emily Carr: A Life of Passion and Pain

Emily Carr endured long periods of depression, physical illness, and isolation. While society often frames her story as one of "the tortured genius," we should ask: What role did her materials and environment play in that suffering?

She lived during a time when mental health support was nearly non-existent, especially for independent women. Add to that the stress of being misunderstood, financially strapped, and breathing gasoline fumes—and it’s not hard to imagine how her body and spirit were worn down.

🏥 Van Gogh: Madman or Poisoned Genius?

Van Gogh’s mental health struggles are legendary. He suffered seizures, hallucinations, erratic moods, and ultimately died by suicide. Some say he had epilepsy or bipolar disorder. Others now suggest a darker possibility: chronic chemical exposure.

He painted obsessively. He often sucked on his brushes. He lived in poverty, in small spaces, surrounded by toxic pigments, turpentine, and alcohol (especially absinthe, which contained thujone). Later, in mental institutions likely painted with lead-based paints, he may have only worsened. The environments meant to help him may have poisoned him further.

💀 Toxic Beauty: The Irony of Art

Art is supposed to be life-giving. But for Carr and Van Gogh, their materials may have contributed to their suffering and decline. Today, artists are warned to wear gloves, use ventilators, and avoid certain pigments. But in their time, these dangers were unknown—or ignored.

💡 Why This Matters

Understanding the chemical and environmental realities of artists like Emily Carr and Vincent van Gogh doesn’t diminish their brilliance—it honors their humanity. These weren’t just mythical figures suffering for their art. They were people—pioneering, passionate, and unknowingly exposed to dangers that affected their minds and bodies.

Let’s tell the full story. Let’s care for our artists today—because beauty shouldn’t come at the cost of well-being.

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💬 What do you think? Have you experienced unsafe working conditions in your creative practice? Share your thoughts with me on @zipolita on Instagram