In “Arm In Arm” by
Remy Charlip there is a little Chinese Painting Story that goes like this:
“Once in China, a man
gave an artist money to make a painting of a fish.
The man waited
several years and whenever he saw the artist he asked
for the painting.
After waiting several more years the man grew angry.
He went to the
artist’s house and demanded the painting. The artist
took a piece of
paper, dipped his brush in paint and
with ease dashed
off the most beautiful
painting of a fish. ‘If it was so simple,’ he said,
‘why didn’t you
do it sooner?’ In reply the artist slid open a door.
Thousands of
paintings of fish fell out.”
This is a favorite story of mine.
I used to recite it to my students. But its philosophy is deeply imbedded in
me. That is why I am still practicing those sunflower petals. Until I can paint
them easily, effortlessly, I will not touch brush to the drawing.
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