Why we paint???

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!!!