Almighty painter

Chapter 1026 Good Will Hunting
Art originates from life.

The field of mathematics has stories like Ramanujan's and genre films like "Good Will Hunting".

Among the hundreds of packages that Gu Weijing received.

It also contains some very interesting paintings.

"The artist of this painting is eighty-seven years old and lives in Cape Verde, a tiny country on the West African coast with a total land area of ​​less than 5000 square kilometers. He saw my story on a small evening news channel. Because he couldn't speak any English, the email was written to me by the waitress at the town's convenience store at his request—"

Gu Weijing stepped back a few paces, leaving the watercolor painting draft to the students in the studio. He sat on a stool next to him, resting his calves on his knees, watching the backs of the boys and girls gathered around the draft.

This is really interesting.

The letter was poorly written, full of spelling and tense errors, but the general meaning was expressed very clearly.

This painter—no, that one—considering that the other person may never have defined himself as “a painter,” Gu Weijing thought “old gentleman” would be a more appropriate title.

The old gentleman had never received any systematic art education.

He was introduced to drawing by Ian Simpson's "Sketching and Observation," published in the 1950s, and unknowingly began to use drawing as a way to pass the time.

In his youth, he drove cars, ran a car repair stall, and tried reselling secondhand clothes... but he never worked in any industry directly related to art to make a living, and he never even had such a thought.

In that email, the old gentleman mentioned that the television program introduced Gu Weijing as a color master proficient in various painting techniques, and he must be a very remarkable person.

He has always respected those painters, who always felt that they often had some "feelings" in their lives that they wanted to express, but they couldn't clearly show them on the canvas.

therefore.

He admired those who were full of talent.

The old gentleman sent his work to Gu Weijing and then carefully asked Gu Weijing in the email whether his drawing was correct and if he could tell him how to draw better and what exercises he should do in his daily life.

"If it were you, how would you reply to him?"

In the art studio in Hamburg, Gu Weijing earnestly questioned his classmates.

Gu Weijing lacked Miss Elena's sharp and sarcastic remarks, and he didn't possess Sarah's ability to deliver the most sarcastic and sarcastic words in a plain, conversational tone like an old lady chatting.

Gu Weijing, however, has his own unique personality.

He has a good temper most of the time, but sometimes he can be terribly stubborn.

Miss Anna is so tough; she didn't tear Gu Weijing into silence.

Salado is toxic; she didn't silence Gu Weijing with her words.

How ruthless is Brother Hao? Even with a gun pointed at his head, he replied, "You can kill me, but evil is evil. Life is so beautiful?"

"I'm sorry, please wait until the next life."

This letter from afar accomplished its purpose.

A painter from a tiny archipelago nation, so small it couldn't even fit its full name on a map, sent a respectful and devout letter that silenced a renowned painter who had just held a solo exhibition.

Some people are fearless because they are ignorant. They have no understanding of painting, no painting skills, no artistic thinking, and not even the spirit to strive for their dreams, yet they still dream of "dominating the industry" here.

There are also people.

Unaware of their own invincibility.

……

“Gu Weijing said—I paint better than him,” the young painter concluded. “I think this mechanic is qualified to write that statement on this work.”

He stood up.

The door to the art studio was opened.

Gu Weijing summarized, "In a famous art academy, we always feel that being noticed by society, receiving praise, becoming a great painter... everything is a matter of course. As long as we have talent, as long as we work hard enough, we should receive everyone's praise and be able to live a comfortable life."

"All of this is the result of our hard work and the reward of our talent; it is the most deserved thing in the world."

"Is it?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

“Sometimes, I really feel that art is a privilege.” Gu Weijing shook his head. “Maybe everyone in this world is an artist, but only a very small number of people can make a living from it. Not every talented person has the conditions and resources that we have.”

“Not every master can participate in such a residency program.”

"I've decided not to assign any drawing homework today. I just want everyone to think about this painting when they have free time. To know that somewhere in the world, there are painters like this who can't even earn enough for a meal with their work."

"So."

He stood by the door: "We should remain humble. Compared to others, are we the more talented ones? Or the luckier ones?"

The students from the art academy filed out of the gate.

The atmosphere was slightly somber.

Gu Weijing turned his head, staring intently at the watercolor painting that Gu Lingling had placed on the table. The system panel displayed information about the painting—

[Title of work: "Self-portrait"]

[Sketching Techniques: Lv.7 Master Painter - Tier 1 (42197/100000)]

Watercolor Painting Techniques: Lv.8 Master Painter - Level 2

[Emotion: Heart and soul]

When Gu Weijing saw this painting, he felt much like Lily and the others had felt when they saw his works before. He knew the painting was very good, but he couldn't paint it himself.

……

The last year of Gu Weijing's agency contract with Anna Elena in Singapore was much more leisurely compared to the time when he was constantly busy traveling for art exhibitions.

There was no art exhibition.

There is no art fair.

There were no major art events. The most important thing on the schedule was the "Master Project." The pressure of this kind of art residency program is completely different from that of holding a solo exhibition at the Louvre.

Gu Weijing deserved to win. He was certain he would win.

Miss Elena didn't even ask about it, and Gu Weijing had already chosen the theme and finished the painting long ago. The German state police office is probably under more pressure than Gu Weijing regarding that artwork now.

The days slipped by peacefully in this uneventful existence.

When Lao Yang started trying to teach the macaw to recite "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?", the last trace of cold air in Hamburg disappeared completely in the warm spring sunshine.

And then Yang Dekang and it stared at each other, big eyes to small eyes.

When I started to seriously consider whether my pet parrot simply lacked the talent for mimicking speech or had some kind of intellectual disability.

Hamburg has officially entered summer.

Summers in high-latitude Europe are somewhat reminiscent of winters in Southeast Asia. Summers in Hamburg aren't particularly hot, and winters in Yangon aren't particularly cold; both are characterized by continuous rain.

Like a gloomy, oppressive cloud hanging over the city.

The same shadow seems to have loomed over the working relationship between artist Gu Weijing and his agent Anna Elena.

At first, only a few well-informed industry insiders sensed the ominous shadows, but soon everyone could see them at a glance.

after all.

It's highly unusual that the painter and his agent, who weren't together every day, had almost never appeared in public together for over a year.

People gradually began to sense the "end of cooperation".

Almost simultaneously with the first two days of heavy rain falling on the streets of Hamburg, a Berlin-based news outlet published an inside report. According to reliable sources, the contract, which is set to expire this year, will be the first and last between the Elena family and Gu Weijing.

Both parties will choose to end this cooperative relationship.

Actually, similar rumors have been circulating before, but the difference is that those were all unreliable tabloid stories.

Rumors circulated that the partnership collapsed, and that the two disappeared because they secretly went to France to have a baby. Everyone just watched for fun.

The newspaper that published this article is known in the industry as a "big gun."

In comparison, its position in the German media industry is somewhat similar to that of Japan's "Shukan Bunshun," with an overall focus on entertainment and gossip, and sometimes publishing some rather unsavory content.

However, in the less-than-reputable realm of entertainment gossip, their reports are often surprisingly accurate, not entirely baseless. Following this, numerous industry media outlets chose to follow suit, including several art media outlets that were among the first to reveal the inside story of Hearst's collaboration with Gagosian and Sakai Kazunari's decision to renew his contract with the Tokyo Gallery, greatly confirming the credibility of these reports.

As for the reason why the two ended their collaboration.

There are many different opinions in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) community.

Some say it's because Gu Weijing failed to meet Miss Anna Elena's expectations, and after a solo exhibition, he showed signs of creative burnout. Others say the two disagreed on their future creative styles. Still others say Sir Brown extended an olive branch to Gu Weijing.

Some people also said—

The reason for the end of the cooperation had little to do with Gu Weijing. Rather, it was because with the official opening of the Elena family's private museum next year, Anna Elena, as the heir of the Elena family, would have to focus her main energy on operating the large-scale museum and would not have extra time to deal with those trivial matters.

This news is also highly credible.

This is because it was confirmed by another member of the Elena family, Elena's own uncle, Kara.

A few days ago, he personally revealed this information on an Austrian talk show. When asked by his agent, he said, "The art industry is currently experiencing unprecedented prosperity. However, it is also an era that, in Churchill's words, is 'frenzied, turbulent, capricious, and controversial.'"

"At times like these, people must examine what is truly important."

"The Elena family has played an extremely important role in the development of European art history. The Elena family has a responsibility and an obligation to devote their energy to things that are truly important."

Mr. Kara believes.

"The establishment of the Elena Family Art Museum is no less significant than the founding of the 'Oil Painting' magazine by our ancestors, and may even surpass it in historical importance—"

“Art will decay later than honor,” he said.

“I’ve noticed that you’ve consistently referred to it as the Elena Family Art Museum, rather than its official name, ‘Detective Cat Art Museum.’ Is this intentional on your part?”

The host asked.

Kara did not answer the question directly.

He said the name doesn't matter, what matters is "what it is." The museum could be called the Rockefeller Family Art Center or the Paul Getty Family Art Museum.

however.

Even if they don't choose this name and change to another name, it still won't change "who they are".

The host asked again, "We all know that Anna Elena is now Gu Weijing's agent. When you were talking about the future of the Elena family, you didn't mention anything about Gu Weijing. Was that intentional?"

Please don't avoid this question.

The host was no pushover either, and his questions were sharp: "We've heard some rumors that there seems to be...some conflict between you and Ms. Elena. As the heir to almost the entire vast business empire of the Elena family, and all the 'titles' recognized in the social circles of European royalty, you've spent your energy on others. Put yourself in my shoes—"

"I might get so jealous that I hire someone to kill someone," the host joked.

"Jealousy? Jealousy of a young painter!"

Kara's eyes widened, as if she had been shocked by the host's words.

"How could that be? The Elena family are good friends with all the great artists, you know, that's why his paintings sell for such high prices..."

Kara smiled without saying a word.

The reason Gu Weijing's paintings can sell for such high prices is not because he himself is particularly talented.

Kara's gesture was an implication to everyone that, sorry, it was Elena's family's doing, or, to leave much to the imagination, it was his doing.

"But you didn't mention Gu Weijing at all—"

“That’s how it is.” The dashing man, who shared the same hair color as Anna but had lighter, grayer eyes, spread his hands. “He’s just a person. He’s a star.”

"There is more than one star in the sky, and there is more than one painting in a museum."

Kara's face showed absolutely no sign of jealousy.

"The Elena family will likely focus their efforts on more important and decisive situations going forward," he reiterated once again.

(End of this chapter)