Wow. I just wanted to add something coming from the direct perspective of someone who considers herself an artist. (Me!) Anyway...

I've been an artist my whole life. Literally. And I don't really feel mania influenced my ability to be creative as much as it influenced my ability to create. If that makes sense. I'll produce MORE during a mania/hypomania but I'm still an artist at the core. I might see things differently at different times, but I don't have to actively be in a mania to create it.

To be fair, I'd also like to add that for a while I really did credit my mania with a lot of my creativity. But even on the most stable of days I still have the drive. I call mania my muse... this is true. But an artist even without a muse is still an artist.

Just my two cents.