THAT A PAINTER IS NOT ADMIRABLE UNLESS HE IS UNIVERSAL

"Come il pittore non è laudable se quello non è universale." - Leonardo da Vinci

The quote above is translated in English as "that a painter is not admirable unless he is universal," ("画家は万能でなければ賞賛に値しない" - Japanese) and appears in Leonardo's so called, "notebook" volume one (compiled by Jean Paul Richter). The notebooks are available in many forms including the 2 volume set by Dover Publications.

After the initial encounter of Leonardo's life on TV in 1972, before you know it, I was at the school library reading the biography of this great master. It was very thick book, but I was devouring the content. Then, I was buying up the books on Leonardo and other artists of the Italian Renaissance. I was still 10 - 11 years old, so I could not read some of the kanji characters, but I cherished them nevertheless. I still own all of the art/ art history books I have bought (or given as the gift after begging...) I still use them as the references. 
Then, soon after, I came across with the above quote. I felt as though I was struck by a lightening! Even for the mind of a 5th grader, the words invoked the sense of wonder and the responsibility. "What does he mean by " being universal?"
I immediately sensed that in order to paint something, one needs to know, not only that something in question, but all the possible relationship that something has in the world / universe. (By the age of 17, I have added another dimension to the understanding of this word, universal.  I have equated the Delphic saying, " γνῶθι σεαυτόν (Know Thyself!)" to the meaning of being universal: To know myself (microcosmos) fully is to know the universe (macrocosmos.)

Why bother with accepting art commissions?

I have to admit that I must have inherited some of the attitude of the Renaissance artists.  I not only love to take painting / mural commissions but happy with changing my style to suit clients' needs. I remember from my art history teaching days that nothing was too small to accept as the commission / project for the artists of Renaissance. They also did something other than art (i.e. growing the olive trees) to earn the living when there were not enough commissions. 
To me, having the skill means that such person has the responsibility. It is the responsibility of the one who attained the skill to not only master it but to use it to help others in need. 
Of course, the personal expression through your style and ideas are very important, but to me, accepting each commission with gratitude is also important even if and when you have to change your style. You are helping others by manifesting their inner visions onto the tangible form. I have seen the smile and the eyes filled with joy of so many clients,  and I have to say that it is worth it! After all, it is the team work and the joint effort between the client and the artist that enable them to create something unique and meaningful.

Why blogging when I already have the website of my own?

First of all, thanks for finding me, and I hope your visit will be worthwhile. 
One thing that I wanted to prevent was to make this blog the "alternative" website of mine. If you are dying to view my art images, please visit:
http://hikalux.weebly.com

In this blog, I would love to introduce my literally projects and the researches that I am currently conducting that would eventually become the polished book.
Although I may not be able to introduce some of the elements (...please buy my book! :)  ) The theme may include: Leonardo da Vinci, the Holy Grail, the Holy Scriptures studied from  both Hebrew and Aramaic, Mary Magdalene... etc.

Many of my artworks are done with the idea of supplementing the research article; therefore, it will be published in the book in the future.


I may also speak about my thoughts and my feeling during the conception and the creation stages of the certain artworks of mine. In other words, I would love to share my art processes.

Was I living in Renaissance Italy in my past life?

It maybe odd to think about my fascination with Leonardo and the Italian Renaissance since my youth, but I wouldn't be surprised if I were to find out that I was living in Italy during the 15th /16th century.  It is also interesting to know that around the same time of my encounter with Leonardo da Vinci, I began to have the interest in exploring the world of the Greek Mythology. Along the line, I have become fascinated with the images depicting the life of Christ. I remember, during the 6th grade year, I often drew the crucifix (not just a cross but Christ on the cross) as if I was possessed by some invisible power, so to speak. Why is it interesting? It is because the Renaissance artists were commissioned to create the scenes from the Bible or the Greco-Roman Mythology most of the time (if not the portraits/statues of the patrons and/or  some sort of the historical depiction...the battle scenes, for example...) Also, the word, Humanism, of Renaissance had everything to do with the honoring of the classics, for it had the close relation to the word, humanités. So, in a way, my awakening to the Italian Renaissance , at the same time, had led me to the birthing of the Renaissance era of my life as well.

"Hello, my name is Hikaru, and it is wonderful to meet you, Maestro Leonardo"

I wish I could meet him as who I am. If such wish could be granted, then, what should I say to him? ...a simple, "Hello, my name is Hikaru, and it is wonderful to meet you...." ?
At any rate, the encounter did happen, only that it was not in person...
It was in 1972, when I was still 10 years old.  My teacher( who happened to be my mother) allowed me to watch the TV program to do with Leonardo da Vinci. It was originally filmed in Italy but dubbed in Japanese. For the next few days, I was glued to the TV. The light within me was ignited. I as inspired by this man of many talent, to say the least. This "event" has set the life direction. Since this fatal encounter, Leonardo has become my mentor and the master. I remember copying the Renaissance paintings one after another... some as the pencil drawings, and others as the water color painting. The painting below is my water color rendition of "the Last Supper" by Leonardo from 1973. It is unfinished.  One of my dream was to paint the copy of Leonardo's "the Last Supper" as a mural. I had to wait until 1995 for that dream to come true, but that story will be dealt in the future. It has been the life long pursuit to know about Leonardo, and now I am writing a book about Leonardo da Vinci from the point of view of an artist who has "followed" him.  More to come...

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