Some people really works for passion

Some people work for money.
Some people work because their unfortunate fate of life dictates them to.
Some people work for fame.
Some people work to gain respect.
Some people work for prestige.
Some people work for pride.
Some people work to show-off.

But particularly, I admire those who work for real passion. Where money comes second.

One example is my art teacher. Both his wife and he are artists and art teachers in an established government institution for arts called NAFA. It must be a lucrative profession, we may think.

It may be right, but let's see what they use the money for. Of course they need to spend enough for a living (comfortably) for their family.

They also spend some money (and it's not an insignificant amount) for art courses in few countries. Some workshops. Brushing shoulders with reknown artists around the globe. They spend a lot of money, indeed, as during the trip they would take a "sabbatical leave" which means zero income.

But at the same time they enrich their passion. Their arts. Their knowledge. For what? To share them with their students. And it's not exaggerating but they really want to lift people's appreciation for art up in this rather artistically-dry pasture called Singapore.

I don't mean to belittle the artistic side of Singapore. I've gone to NAFA graduate exhibition and their works are awesome.

But then, how many other people are ready to "receive" their art works? How many people buy paintings as Christmas present or birthday present like people in Europe like to do? They exist, of course, but they are not the majority, that's the fact. My friend added, rather sarcastically I must say, "When do you ever see a queue outside Singapore Arts Museum? Even when it's free, it's still empty."

And arts doesn't always mean to be expensive. Bottomline is, my teacher wants Singapore people to be closer to arts. To be able to appreciate it better. To make this country more colorful.

He is now ready for the next step. He wants to build his very own studio, an atelier. It's a gambling, he admits. With the minimum enthusiasm towards arts here, it can just turn to be a flop. Which means monetary lost. And yet, he still sticks to his sincere intention.

I lift my hat up for him and the rest who are just as passionate (about anything, not only fine arts) as him.

His first line of supports come from his students (us). I really wish it can be a success. My course mates and I are not adept artists. We just do it for fun. And we have a tremendous fun. Doesn't only come from the painting activity itself, but also from the time we spend chatting, talking about arts, go a long way just to visit an exhibition in a place we'd never knew exist before, planning some trips and outings together, honest comments for each other works, simple talks over coffee or lunch, etc.

A brief conversation revealed that none of us are working in art-related industry/profession. The reason is unison "We can't make a living out of art and life in Singapore is financially tough." Which is really true, it's the fact.

I believe some of you also have a passion to call your own. Music, sport, theatre, journalism, dance, finance, engineering, design, cooking, you name it.

How far would you go for your passion?