although i didn't pen the above quote, i think it's the best reason i've found so far as to why people become artists. but is this the same as to why we do it?...i think not. one of my teachers asked me why i draw. being caught off guard i answered by only saying that, "i don't know, it's just something i do." but deep down i did know. i was just too afraid, too timid to say that i wanted to be well known like picasso, degas, van gogh, et al. to have people look at my work and appreciate it for the next century or two. how do you just come out and say something like that in front of other people? usually you don't (unless you're picasso)...so you write it down to keep reminding yourself of it. but is fame the only reason? again the answer is no.

a few years ago, after realizing that drawing was the one unique skill i possessed, i became determined to develop it further. i understand now that art is a way to express my emotions, my thoughts hoping that others will feel the same emotion as myself or to appreciate the same things. it is a step beyond mere visual communication. it is a step that the observer takes, unknowingly, into being me. and what about being me?...well after looking at some of my paintings, drawings, and sketches you just might get a "feeling" of what it's like...and then again maybe not. have i or have i not succeeded in fertilizing art's gametes, or am i like homer simpson trying to match the achievements of thomas edison? only time will tell...