Moments of Destiny: Learning from the Lives of Artists

Find inspiration everywhere even in criticism! That is the way of the truly creative. Accept challenges in life as creative opportunities. Life is a work of art if you make it that way.

“Everything I touch turns to art. I’m an art god. Just kidding.

Last week, I enjoyed a variety of works such as the movies “Oppenheimer” and “SHOGUN”, as well as the “Matisse Exhibition” and the “Impressionist Exhibition”. It was not just about watching; it was days filled with imagining the stories behind the works and the thoughts of their creators. As a life coach, I realize that such creative experiences lead to various creative activities like writing articles and books, making planners, stickers, aromas, and novelties. Additionally, reflecting on each day and maintaining a balance of mind and body are indispensable daily habits for a life coach. As director Wim Wenders said in “PERFECT DAYS”, if you’re a film director, you can create anything — I feel the same way as a life coach.

Therefore, watching movies and appreciating art are essential sources of inspiration for me. These activities are also linked to my job, so they can even be considered as training expenses. (laughs)

In my art appreciation, I often focus particularly on “the life of the painter.” This might stem from my perspective as a life coach. Learning about what triggered the painters to start their careers, who influenced them, why their style changed, and about their later years as artists — all within about an hour — is fascinating. After viewing art or watching movies, I compile the knowledge gained into blog posts and explore how it can be applied to my own life.

After watching “Oppenheimer”, I came across a book in a bookstore that featured a quote from director Christopher Nolan. It said, “The idea was to create a film that would enter the minds of the audience, make their heads spin, and have them construct it themselves.” That was it! I was moved. Yes, after watching Christopher Nolan’s works, I always find myself continuously thinking about them. It made me want to create not just products, but works that evoke the same reaction.

At the Matisse exhibition, I was moved by the richly transformative life of Matisse. His way of living extended beyond painting to include sculpture, stage costumes, murals, tapestries, cut-outs, and even the design of a chapel. I felt as if Matisse himself was encouraging me, saying, “Why don’t you try challenging yourself more?”

Matisse initially pursued a career in law to fulfill his father’s wishes, working as a clerk in a law office. However, he became ill with appendicitis and was hospitalized. During his hospital stay, as a way to pass the time, his mother suggested he take up painting.

I personally resonate with such destiny-shaping events. For instance, when I was struggling to achieve results as an apparel store manager, a former boss gifted me a book on coaching, which felt like fate.

I was moved to learn that Matisse, known as “the magician of color,” was influenced by Cézanne and respected him as an object of faith, and how this influence is vividly reflected in his work. It reminds me of the excitement I felt when I visited Cézanne’s studio 10 years ago. (laughs) It’s also fascinating how painters shared their knowledge and spread their methods around the world. Particularly, the first exhibition that brought significant attention to Impressionism was controversial at the time but later had a major impact on modern art.

Venturing into new territories often invites criticism at first. When I started coaching, I faced criticism for publishing interactions with clients on my blog. However, I transformed this approach into a format called “Hitomism,” where clients themselves write about their transformative stories. This shift fostered greater empathy with the general public, challenged the notion that coaching is only for executives, and led to a movement where more people became interested in receiving coaching or studying to become coaches themselves.

Being creative requires the courage to accept criticism, but it also allows you to transform that criticism into new opportunities for creation. I, too, am excited to see what kind of work I can leave behind in my later years.