Orchid in Gongbi or Fineline style by Su-sing Chow in Fundamentals of Chinese Floral Painting Vol. 2: Book of the Orchid.
The Art of Selfishness
In our last message we discussed selfishness. We talked about the different states of being that are often labeled with the word selfish and discussed how a majority of these states of being have been unfairly labeled with this word that has a universally negative connotation. If you missed it, you can read the original article here.
The History of Attitudes Towards Art
Since a love of Chinese Painting, Calligraphy and Culture is what brings us together as a group and extended family, I wanted to apply the discussion of selfishness to our individual and collective pursuits of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy.
Attitudes of the Industrial Revolution
Many of us carry the burden of preconceived notions that a pursuit of art or anything creative is an indulgence that is at best only be pursued once all "serious" work has been completed or at worst a frivolous waste of time. These notions find their roots in the industrial revolution. Prior to the industrial revolution you had an economy that was largely driven by artisans and craftsmen who would focus on something like making shoes (cobbling), blacksmithing, butchering, fishing, glass blowing, sculpting, and yes even painting. The artisans would trade the fruits of their labors with each other and an economy was formed.
The industrial revolution and the rise of factories created a need for a different kind of laborer. Instead of different craftsmen and artists, the economy now needed large amounts of people who essentially did the same thing like working a factory line to make cars, ships or railroad tracks. World Wars dramatically increased this focus as the economies then became focused on producing large amounts of the ammunition, guns, tanks and the other instruments through which wars were waged.
Even our school system is a by-product of industrial revolution fueled thinking. Things like standardized testing and bells ringing to signal the starting and ending of class and lunch time are all things that were built to train a butcher's or blacksmith's son to become a factory worker. Their purpose was to replace individuality and free thinking with an obedient, efficient worker.
The Information Age
Technology once again changed the game and brought us full circle. As the need for more quantities of cheaper goods became the primary focus, the expense of a human factory worker became the main obstacle towards the type of progress that was being demanded. This saw much of the factory production move overseas where labor was cheaper and the development of robots and other forms of automation capable of performing the repetitive tasks demanded of a factory worker with greater speed and consistency without the vulnerabilities of fatigue, illness or injury.
Now we have an economy that is more than ever focused on the consumption of information or content. In this way we have, once again, refocused our priorities on individual expression and creativity. Technology is reducing the barriers that stand between someone with a creative idea and the expression and promotion of that expression to a mass audience. It used to be that artists would have to hire publicists that would have endless conversations with reporters and critics to get them to attend exhibitions held on both coasts. Only then could you hope for the type of exposure that qualified an artist as a commercial success. Now people can snap a picture or video on their phone and instantly upload it to Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
Being Selfish For Your Art
All this history is just a round about way of saying now is the best time in history for you to allow yourself to focus on pursuing your love of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy.
Make Your Own Formula for a Thriving Full Life
Many of us get unknowingly locked into someone else's formula for a successful life. Maybe it was your parent's formula. Maybe you attracted a group of friends who created social pressure to have a certain job or a certain type of car or house ("keeping up the with Joneses"). Whatever the reason, it is never too late to catch yourself in this act and to go about revamping your life based on your own formula for a successful thriving life!
The one common theme that I see with the modern social media revolution is that there is no set formula for a successful life. You can literally live a healthy, happy, and abundant life pursuing whatever it is that you are passionate about.
All the past formulas for success can be replaced by a general one:
Identifying and Releasing Habits of Self Denial
Often when I have conversations with people about their love of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, I am surprised by the amount of self denial people are practicing. Self denial is simply the act of keeping yourself away from the things that you desire. When you are conflicted about your desires, life will present obstacles to you fulfilling your desire. Some people think this is a test or a sign from God but really it is just a mirror that shows you your inner conflict.
What does this sound like? Well I've heard many versions but here are a few:
- I would love to pursue painting but I've never been creative or artistic
- If only I lived near a good teacher, then I could pursue brush painting
- I really want to learn brush painting but all the learning resources are online and I am no good with computers
To these and many more, I say "pure desire melts all obstacles." In other words "where there is a will, there is a way." Focus on what you want and why you want it. If your mind presents obstacles when you try to focus this way, gently redirect your focus back to what you want and why you want it. Useful and effective focus statements could be:
- I want to pursue Chinese painting to feel the purity and the freedom of the brush strokes on rice paper
- I love giving myself the gift of calm and peace when use my brush to paint or write
- I enjoy connecting with the wisdom of one of the oldest and most influential cultures in the world. I appreciate how it balances my view of the world
The ultimate message is that you can have whatever it is that you want. You need not justify it to anyone else. There is no one keeping you from your desires but yourself. Life is all about you identifying new desires and experience the joy of creating them in your life experience. Nothing could be more important. Nothing is more holy or sacred. You are loved. You are worthy.
Orchid in spontaneous style by Su-sing Chow in Fundamentals of Chinese Floral Painting Vol. 2: Book of the Orchid.