The Soul of Art Author: Daniel Hsiao Translator: John Lee
I often wonder: what is the meaning of the art?
Sharing story with drawings, enriching drawing with a story; enjoy art, enjoy life. Hello, everyone, this is Daniel’ painting.
A famous man renowned said,“the purpose of art is not about expressing the appearance of things, but revealing their internal meanings.�
Let us travel back to someone's past, to find the story and the art.
The Soul of Art Daniel Hsiao
Author's words: Hello! Thank you for being interested in my painting style. It is your encouragement that drives me forward. There are very few painters working on adult picture books in Taiwan, and I don't even know where the courage comes from to make me try this. On one hand, I hope to motivate more friends interested in art, and on the other hand, I hope, by doing this, I can stimulate the creativity in Taiwanese art society. Many things happened in my country
recently, and some of them are very heartbreaking. I would also like to calm and heal broken hearts through this work. That is all for words, please enjoy my picture book, The Soul of Art.
Daniel loves painting. When he was a child, he often carried his painting
brush
and
canvas
around, recording the beautiful sights.
Art is just one of the many ways to describe the world.
The nature around his house was his best art teacher.
Every time when I hold my pen, I expect the knocking-door of inspiration.。
He went to many teachers and learned all kinds of skills. He earned so many prizes. But one day, his teacher asked him . . .
“Daniel, what's the purpose of learning painting?�
When art has purpose, it will no longer be art.
The young man with his egos answered,“I want to be the best of the best, just like standing on the top of a mountain, far from reach of anyone, and like flying in the vast sky of art.�
The blending of mountain and the sea of clouds is probably the most beautiful art work in the world.
Soon he reached his goal. When he was twelve, he became the champion of the national western art contest. But he was still not satisfied. Is this the purpose of learning art?
God did not make his life easy. He soon hit the wall.
There are always obstacles on the path of life. Why not detour sometimes?
Daniel is very good at drawing things, mimicking the real one, and always trying to make them look more vivid.
In the early days, drawings served as a way to record the people and events, thus they ought to look real.
One day, his teacher told him, no matter how nice his paintings are, they are no different from the pictures. He was sad, gradually realizing this fact.
There’s no criterion for art, they are just different styles, skills, and emotions.
Stopping
his
tears,
Daniel
became determined to find his own painting style. He read so many books and tried so many ways, yet had not been given a clue.
The most beautiful art should be a result of the heart.
Daniel was sad, but he did not give up. He believed there was an angel always by his side, helping him on all the difficulties in life.
The bible says, there is a guardian angel for everyone.
He was tired. Laying on the grassy field, he would look at the blue sky, he would look at the world filled with so many colors and lights. Suddenly, he realized the work should be about bringing out colors, lights, and shadows. Bringing people into the fantastic world.
It is the Impressionism that emphasizes the depiction of light and color.
Soon, he added all these elements into his art, and the boundary of reality and fantasy no longer existed.
Dreaming is a search of identity between reality and imagination.
Sometimes, he does not even know how to separate them, real or imaginary.
Reality makes people impressed, imaginary makes people ponder.
His teacher looked at his new work and smiled,“I see you are in pain, but you finally expressed yourself.� I did not understand why Picasso's art was precious. Were they even art? At that moment I saw, styles are merely different ways to express one's heart.
Soon, Daniel entered college. Majoring in Physics, he had put away his art work.
Somehow the sky in college looks bluer.
The life as a physics student is overwhelmed by books. Daniel buried himself in all the experiments and all the assignments. He was lost.
When you get lost on the path of life, think about why you got.
He decided to go on a trip.
Having said goodbye to his cat, he stepped outside, going on the journey of life.
Journey makes life meaningful.
Florence,
the
birthplace
of
Renaissance. Its beauty comes from the mixture of the city and the mountain. Could that be the highest expression of art?
Xu Zhimo gave Florence a beautiful name: cold Jadeite
Vienna, the city of music. Such a sacred place full of
art.
Can
it
be
expressed by any artist?
The spirit of Vienna: If I am not home, I am in the cafe. If I am not in the cafe, I am on my way to one
Prague, the eternal romance, the Charles Bridge. Perhaps romance is the highest art instead?
Prague is known as the golden city, the crown of Bohemia and
Paris! Can there be any place better than here for a good night’s sleep?
The reflection from the water is what I apprehended from the art of Vincent.
The short journey ended. It was fun, but not satisfactory. He did not find the purpose of art.
Back to the familiar bookstore in college; out of the call of destiny, he picked up a work from Jimmy Liao. He could not believe his eyes。
The bookstore is a place with magic. All kinds of inspiration comes from.
He thought he found the purpose of art.
Daniel bought almost all of Jimmy’s work, and even went to Jimmy ’ s plaza at Yilan train station. Ten years had passed; he finally found it. He could now tell his teacher what the purpose of art was.
Jimmy’s works are enchanting, you like it a little more every time you read it.
The purpose of art is-to share.
Share happiness with someone, the happiness doubles. Knowing to share, life becomes colorful. Art is the bridge for sharing, for sending happiness and joy. This should be what art is for. All the beautiful art pieces, all the touching melodies, bring people closer and make people learn to share. This makes art meaningful.
This is life. Goals, dreams, seem so out of reach, but try your best, you will find that obstacles are never too hard to overcome. Only fears make goals look afar. Art is no different, is it?
The lake looks deep, but when you step in, you will know it is not deep after all.
Sitting at the sea, I met a girl just like me. I gathered my guts and said hi, and that changed my life.
There should be at least one time that one tries forgetting himself for somebody.
Afterword It is really tiresome to draw so many pages. Do you like it? Yes,that is my story. The next work will be about my friend on the web,it is a story on traveling around the Taiwan island,and it is really touching, please wait for it. Everyone has his or her story, and true stories are often touching.
As long as you have interesting, joyful, epic, or sad stories, you are welcome to tell me. I will make your stories go on the stage with my painting brush. By the way, I put some of my work afterward, they are all given out already!
Work in elementary school (watercolor)
Work in junior high school (watercolor)
Work in senior high school (watercolor)
Work in college (watercolor)
Work in graduate school (watercolor)
Painting + Design + illustration Send your request to a3808625@yahoo.com.tw
The Soul of Art
Editor：Daniel Hsiao Translator：John Lee Story：Daniel Hsiao Painting：Daniel Hsiao Reviser：Bethany
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