​Portraits by Hikaru

Why I love accepting the commissions?

(reprinted from the original blog posted in July 2013)

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"I love accepting the art (painting and drawing) commissions, for I am able to know the mind of the client 

and realize his/her idea on this material world. ...making ideas (non-thing) of others 
into the tangible reality (thing). 
At a time, I have gladly accepted the "Memorial Portrait" (portraiture) paintings and drawings because I can imbue the artwork with the feeling of "immortality" to the person who had crossed the threshold, and sometimes it brings the healing to the loved ones.
If you have not done this, you are missing out on the wonderful feeling full of satisfaction!

 

At a time, I sacrifice my "ego," so to speak, for the sake of serving the others' need  

and use my skills (originally given as the gift from the divine) for the good for the 
others. 

Letting go of my ego and letting go of my "style" is the "practice". 

 

I sometimes prefer these commissioned works to my own creations.
The need of my ego to express myself yields to the needs of the others. 

After all, all the great masters of the Italian Renaissance I admire had served the 
needs of the others, their Patrons.
Although not in the same magnitude, I am able to experience minute aspects of what 

those creators may have gone through... their struggles and the feeling of 
satisfaction...

It is the privilege to be entrusted of such importance - someone's vision. 

The work is manifested out of the tight team work and the deep trust in each other.

Being given such art commission in-itself is an honor.

 

Having said that, it does not mean it is always easy and cheerful, and I am not 
talking about the skill required. That's a given!

The difficulty arise when the one who commissions and the one who accepts hav the 

different ideas. In order to complete the birthing of artworks, neither party can 

exercise ego-inflation. Neither party can bulldoze the other away. It is the exercise in 

diplomacy.

The great works of art, the timeless art almost always have served the need of the 

"other" humans (humanity) and/or created for the greater good. 

It is birthed through the struggle of the creator (painter, sculptor, etc) within trying to 

balance the need  of  his/her ego on one hand  and the need of the humanity  (and beyond - universe) on the other. 

There are no limit. If you'd like to be portrayed in the fantastic scenes or be like the heroic figure, I'd be glad to fulfill your desire!

... and you know what? It is so satisfying to help others.

 

Whenever I see the smile out of satisfaction on the clients' and patrons' faces after they see the completed works, I feel joy within, and I am also deeply satisfied.

 

...and that's my job... and I'm just doing my job."