Why we paint???
Posted by ngwoonlam on November 1, 2007
Why we paint???
I heard from a teacher from New York. He said a painting is a magical thing. An artist paints an image. He/She left. Someone comes over and is able to connect and communicate with him/her.
But that’s not why I paint. I enjoy it a lot more than that. I was not able to figure out until one day I read a translated book about Rodin’s philosophy in art.
That’s was a casual conversation between Rodin and his 2 students. Could not translate the translated Chinese names back to the right language. Sorry about that!!!
Rodin was with his 2 students leaving Salon show for lunch. One student was teasing another telling him an artist was a completely useless person, which the other student had to agree with him though unhappily.
{I translate the content below from Chinese. Sorry for any minor inaccuracy!!!}
“Please go ahead and have the food Mr.XXX. Though you need not to be served as you are an artist. You are basically a useless fellow.”
“I forgive you for your impoliteness, as you have also taken half of the food.” then he continued “But I could not disagree with you ………. Basically the world does not need us.”
Rodin then disagreed with his students.
This is what he said, “…… one can choose do a good job or a bad job. To do a good job, I believe is the human nature. However, when working becomes a measure thru’ financial return and personal needs, it changes. People choose to do a not-so-good job.”
“In order to change this, I wish everyone is an artist. ‘Artist’ here is a common word to describe one who loves what one’s doing. A happy carpenter artist….. a happy taxi driver artist, … with all these happy artists, we have a society with the best comfort and service ever.”
“That’s the one message a artist is passing to the society.”
After reading this, I quit my job and paint fulltime. I think since I like it, I can do it better!!!
Please feel free to post your opinions and opposite point of view. Have fun painting!!!
November 20, 2007 at 4:45 am
i think we paint,solely to express our myriads of feelings.feelings of downs,happiness or depressions.depressive people can paint very well too & it is those moments or period,that their innermost feelings of anguish are “released” or expressed out - i.e…on the canvass.i dabbles with paint too(once in a quartermoon) - but not when im happy or sad.i do it spontaneously,without obligation or when ,im “under pressure”.im learning to paint & i haven’t actually painted anything or had painted a “real” painting.a real painting to me is a painting which i find it simply awesome - unbelievable to my capability.i hope someday,i’ll complete or suceed in painting my that painting.
November 20, 2007 at 7:02 am
Nice to hear that. Thanks for sharing your experience and point of view.
Best regards,
Woon Lam
December 9, 2007 at 2:20 am
Why I paint? Ehmm….quite agree that painting is a magical thing. I had backpain and headache from my office job, when I paint after working hours all pain seems disappeared and i feel it’s timeless, i just wish that time stop when i paint :D. After finish painting, approx 3 hrs, my headache comes back
I will try to be there at ngee ann. thanks for the information
December 9, 2007 at 2:35 am
Hi Yuliana,
Nice to hear that. I think I have Bigger headache when I paint. Just joking!
Don’t miss seeing Mr. Lee Boon Wang and Mr. Tan Tze Kai’s Artworks at the show.
Looks like Ngee Ann Cultural Centre is a new hot place for all art exhibitions. I am so glad to see an organisation support art events so generously.
Weather is bad BUT nothing stops painters because we paint…… I don’t care it is rain or shine.
Enjoy painting!!!
Best Wishes
Woon Lam