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 Part1
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 I am very proud to have been working as an independent professional artist for more than 40 years. There are a great many people who dream of becoming a professional painter. It is true to say however, that this is not a smooth road to travel. The first stumbling block is the practical matter of income. Pictures are not considered to be one of the absolute essentials for living. On the contrary, they are high-priced luxury items, so it is very difficult to make a living from creating and selling paintings. It is essential to have a specialist dealer to sell the paintings and a venue to exhibit your work, such as a gallery or department store. The more systematic and business-like art becomes, the more you are required to pay commissions. That’s a dilemma. Not only this, I have seen many instances in which an artist could not make a living solely from art and decided to take another job, to the detriment of their art work. More than ever, artists these days have to find new distribution channels and new sales paths; this is an increasingly important issue.
What distinguishes professionals from amateurs more than anything else is their starting line. Under the apprenticeship system, would-be artists have to undergo thorough and strict training under the tutelage of the artist who is their master. Before anyone can qualify for a college of art, it is necessary to completely master the basics of design at a specialist preparatory school. In short, after entering art school students do not then learn how to paint, rather, once they have entered college, people who can already paint then go on to specialize in many different fields. Those people who were able to beat the odds and pass the entrance examination are then further narrowed down to those who can make a living as an artist. However you look at it, this is a tough world in which to get this far. Also the intensity of work is very different compared to ordinary people who paint as a hobby. I believe that the pleasure the act of painting itself gives to people, enriching their lives, is a wonderful thing. Apparently there are some amateurs who have been painting for many years and like to consider themselves professional, and unfortunately this can sometimes lead to arrogance. The starting line and the attitude to the creative process is very different; I am concerned that to treat amateurs and professionals the same way would be to lower the standards for Japanese art.
A lot of people believe paintings are things found in art galleries, but I think it would be wonderful if they could be hung in houses where people could feel closer to them. I would like everyone to be moved by the feeling of happiness that fills a home decorated with paintings, and I believe that is a raison d’être for art as a profession. It is said that “no country without culture will prosper,” and I think that culture should start in individual homes. It is my wish that art can be incorporated more into everyday life.
Goyoh
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