Recently, I visited a friend of mine. From the conversation with him, I have sensed something new. My friend is a very successful artist. He told me something interesting: The night before I visited him, he had a party in his house. He told everybody that he will have a visitor tomorrow. This guy was a Ph.D. in physics, but now he has quitted his job and became an artist. The party reacted unanimously: This guy is nuts. He must have a brain problem. Moreover, He is not only stupid, but also selfish and irresponsible to his family. They can not rationalize the behavior of this stupid guy. Finally, they concluded that this behavior is the symptom of the mid-age crisis.
I really appreciate the honesty of my friend. It is true that I work harder and make less, but I have never regretted I made my decision. It is not surprise some people not agree with me, but why people UNANIMOUSLY disagree with me. Maybe I am a real self-centered fool. I heard Ph.D. stands for Permanent Head Damage. So please let me know what your think. Please comment and email to me. Thanks.
27 comments:
Don't listen to them. They don't even know you. How can you make a judgement like that without knowing someone personally. I think you are very brave.
Money is not everything but it sounds like these people base their identities on it. You still provide food for the table and a roof over your family's head. How much is enough?
P.S. I really enjoyed the workshop in Melbourne this past month.
Cathy Hempel
I think they will unanimously reverse their opinion about you when they hear your name and see your art! :)
I think they are just envious of your ability to have a job that you can do what you love and are passionate about. Also many people equate artists with "starving". I know several artists that not only quit their initial career to follow their passion in art, but are also living quite comfortably.
If you are doing what you love to do and can provide for your family, that is what life is about. Not having the latest car, gadget or gizmo and a corporate title behind your name in a job which is not your passion.
The world is a happier place with the beauty of your paintings, and the gift of your teaching in it. I missed this Los Angeles workshop this time but hope to take one the next time you are here. Never look back and keep on painting.
I've learned a lot over the years. You must follow your heart, not others opinions. Most people are so caught up with the world - success, money, power, etc. So few 'take the plunge' and actually do something they LOVE to do. Also, it's very irresponsible for people to pass judgment and say you're stupid and selfish. Let those comments pass through you like you are invisible. There will always be people with opinions that differ. If you're happy and your family is loving and supportive then you know you're doing the right thing. It takes all kinds to make the world I guess.
You paint beautiful paintings and bring joy and beauty to the world! Your life is yours to make choices that make you happy,besides it's none of their business how you choose and what you choose.
Sadly, some people think money is the most important thing in life. It's a very sad and immature view.
By practicing your art, you are living an authentic life and that is a gift that money can't buy. You're family is so lucky to have you.
Thank you, Sir, for sharing your lovely art with us. Thank you as well for sharing today the conversation you had with your friend about the career choices you have made. I do not believe you are selfish or foolish. I believe you are a man blessed with many talents. You spent many years mastering the discipline of physics. Now you are investing in the discipline of painting. I cannot tell you how to live your life, but I can thank you for the joy your art has given me and so many others. Thank you. May God bless you today and always.
A quote I just read by Nelson Mandela, "What counts in life is not the mere fat that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." The many lives you touch with your beautiful paintings and wonderful teaching is a great testament to that quote.
You have been a big inspiration to me (and I'm sure others) demonstrating that passion and hard work can lead to success, in anything. I can honestly say that I enjoy your art, much more than your science. Thank you for becoming the artist you have, and for sharing your knowledge with so many others.
Roy
Thank you for your devotion to art. You are an inspiration to me. I admire your dedication and admire your art so much. I study your work and love the way you paint.
I think it is overwhelmingly sad how society values fat bank accounts more so than contented hearts. I believe a life lived following one's dreams and working at one's true passion is weighed more heavily than one spent pursuing the purchase of things. And I also think the pursuit of creativity is just a precious as any phd in any discipline. Kudos to you for listening to your own dreams and heart and setting an example for the rest of us!
It is a rarity in this world that a person is as skilled at scientific endeavors (left brain) as he is at artistic ones (right brain)…enough to be able to earn a good living at both. Your artist friend misled those at his gathering by not expanding upon your whole story. He allowed his guests to assume that you gave up a well-paying area to pursue the life of a starving artist! He did not assure them that your talents in both areas are exceptional and that you have utilized your left brain skills to figure out how to market and make a living from the products of your right brain! Never doubt, Qiang. People form opinions from tidbits of information and seldom get the whole story to judge the wisdom of someone else’s decisions. They are the ones who are ill-informed. You have taken a careful and measured approach to the transition from scientist to full time artist. Your work is beautiful, sells well, and many sign up for workshops to learn your techniques. Keep doing what you have been doing. Your Ph.D. indicates you have the intelligence to evaluate which of your talents will bring the most satisfaction to you and your family. Perhaps there is a little bit of jealousy on the part of your friend? Many choose second careers. Re-read all the above comments and rid yourself of the self-doubt. You are inspiring many with your art.
As Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."
So there.
What Byrne said :) Everyone has a different way of measuring success. Some think that their life is not complete without a Range Rover in their garage. I feel sorry for them. You will be remembered for the beauty you bought to the world instead of the stuff you took from it.
Your dedication, hard work and generous heart give inspiration to us all. My day is brighter and more hopeful after checking your blog. Follow your own path. Thank you again for sharing.
Courage, fortitude,perseverance,disciplined, unmoved by popular opinion because you know truth in your heart...this is what it takes to do what you are doing instead of being brainy and having a job.
Turn a deaf ear and just keep painting.
You are brave, ambitious and generous with your talents. You don't know these people and they don't know you. Crumple up these clueless, unfounded opinions and put them in the cylindrical file where they belong.
: )
Following your heart instead of the ol'mighty buck takes faith and grit. I believe you're setting an awesome example for your wife, child and us all.
KEEP
CALM
AND
PAINT
ON
: )
That was a good story. Now you know joy and fulfillment doesn't revolve around money. You are doing so much for others through your teaching, your postings, and your creations.
They will never have the joy that we have when we paint. You can feel sorry for them. You have a gift, I paid to take your workshop that says I believe in your talent. Every painting bought, every workshop taken, every award bestowed on you, backs that up every singel day!! Those are the multitudes you should listen to and maybe find new friends that are supportive!
Qiang, others have already said it well. I can only add that during the last several years, as I followed your blog, I became aware of what a gifted and gentle soul you are. Your art, writings, introspection and constant quest to learn have been an inspiration. But there are two more attributes you have that I think your critics will never understand: a passion for something (including, I suspect, life) and COURAGE.
I can't imagine a better legacy to pass on to your children. Keep doing what stirs your sou.
It was an honor to meet you in Sacramento last week for many more reasons than just to learn better painting skills.
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique."
~Martha Graham
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway."
~ Elanor Roosevelt
As for me, I think it's very generous of you to give away that engineering job to somebody with no artistic talent at all! You're a wonderful brilliant artist. Follow your bliss!
Qiang, you are brave by following your heart! Never, ever regret or have doubts about that. Life is short and what a better way to live it than by doing what we love. When we do what we love everybody around us will feel it, it is contagious!
The world has plenty of physicists and PhD's, but not enough artists and imagination. If everybody were able to follow his heart, the world would be a far happier place. ;)
Follow your heart. We only live once, so do what makes you happy. If you are happy, your family will be happy as well.
Your art is totally awesome.
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