--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started to paint, I painted…" description: "\"When I started to paint, I painted children because I just felt that I wanted to take their side. What always upset me was how children are getting abu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/gottfried-helnwein-45506_abused_when-i-started-to-paint-i-painted-childr_2347283.jpg" --- # When I started to paint, I painted children because I just… ![“When I started to paint, I painted children because I just felt that I wanted to take their side. What always upset me was how children are getting abused simply because they are physically weaker and not capable of defending themselves - how they get raped, enslaved and killed. I never understood…” quote by Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/gottfried-helnwein-45506_abused_when-i-started-to-paint-i-painted-childr_2347283.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/gottfried-helnwein-45506_abused_when-i-started-to-paint-i-painted-childr_2347283.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58a/gottfried-helnwein-45506_abused_when-i-started-to-paint-i-painted-childr_2347283.jpg) > “When I started to paint, I painted children because I just felt that I wanted to take their side. What always upset me was how children are getting abused simply because they are physically weaker and not capable of defending themselves - how they get raped, enslaved and killed. I never understood why some people seemed to have fun causing pain to someone smaller.” [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The artist uses painting to champion vulnerable children and condemn their exploitation. **In simple terms:** Painting defends the weak against abuse. Key Takeaway Use art to raise awareness for the oppressed. Themes justice vulnerability activism Mood ou determined Type advocacy social commentary When to use this quote - gallery exhibitions - humanitarian campaigns - educational workshops Key Concepts human rights power dynamics empathy Questions to Reflect On - How can artists translate empathy into concrete action? - What responsibilities do creators have toward victims? A Different Perspective Art alone cannot stop abuse; systemic change is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Causing pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causing-pain/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Having fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-fun/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [“He drew closer. "You look like someone I've met before." I ignored him; being chatted up at the bus stop was nothing new. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tendai-huchu/he-drew-closer-you-look-like-someone-i-ve-met-before-i-ignored-him/) [Tendai Huchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tendai-huchu/) > [“You have no idea what someone else’s life is like. The girl who looks like she has it all could have an eating disorder.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-izquierdo/you-have-no-idea-what-someone-else-s-life-is-like-the-girl-who-looks/) Kate Izquierdo > [TEMPER TANTRUMS: What you should keep to a minimum so as to not upset the children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/temper-tantrums-what-you-should-keep-to-a-minimum-so-as-to-not-upset/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“I stretched my arms out to the side and closed my eyes. I was no longer a parentless child. Nor was I a burn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-hildreth/i-stretched-my-arms-out-to-the-side-and-closed-my-eyes-i-was-no/) [Scott Hildreth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-hildreth/) > [Letting go with someone you love to protect that someone is better than causing someone pain by being in your side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisa-iglesias/letting-go-with-someone-you-love-to-protect-that-someone-is-better/) Aisa Iglesias > [“Pain and dysfunction get passed down from generation to generation. A mixture of genetic inheritance and environmental circumstance ensures that our lives unfold according…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-neff/pain-and-dysfunction-get-passed-down-from-generation-to-generation-a/) [Kristin Neff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-neff/) > [If they're causing you more pain than happiness they aren't worth holding onto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-they-re-causing-you-more-pain-than-happiness-they-aren-t-worth/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [“He realized that he was manacled hand and foot with fetters that were only more intolerable because they consisted of nothing more substantial than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/he-realized-that-he-was-manacled-hand-and-foot-with-fetters-that-were/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Yes, I understand why things had to happen this way. I understand his reason for causing me pain. But mere understanding does not chase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yes-i-understand-why-things-had-to-happen-this-way-i-understand-his/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“She was capable of causing me pain, but no longer any joy. Pain alone kept my wearisome attachment alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/she-was-capable-of-causing-me-pain-but-no-longer-any-joy-pain-alone/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [I quit because that thing inside of me that was driving me to drink that way was causing me so much pain that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-manganiello/i-quit-because-that-thing-inside-of-me-that-was-driving-me-to-drink/) [Joe Manganiello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-manganiello/) > [There are only three sins - causing pain, causing fear, and causing anguish. The rest is window dressing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-caras/there-are-only-three-sins-causing-pain-causing-fear-and-causing/) [Roger Caras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-caras/) > [“Enduring pain is like causing pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-fantaskey/enduring-pain-is-like-causing-pain/) [Beth Fantaskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-fantaskey/) > [“... every single act we do has the potential of causing pain, and every single thing we do has consequences that echo way beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-boorstein/every-single-act-we-do-has-the-potential-of-causing-pain-and-every/) [Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-boorstein/) > [“...dancing with someone who is causing you pain is a bit like trying to smile while having a tooth extracted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kapka-kassabova/dancing-with-someone-who-is-causing-you-pain-is-a-bit-like-trying-to/) [Kapka Kassabova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kapka-kassabova/) ## More by Gottfried Helnwein > [Imaginations and illusions are always so much more powerful and bigger than this mediocre and boring thing called reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/imaginations-and-illusions-are-always-so-much-more-powerful-and/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) > [My art was not an answer - it was a question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/my-art-was-not-an-answer-it-was-a-question/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) > [In retrospect I would say from Donald Duck I have learned more about life than from all the schools I ever attended.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/in-retrospect-i-would-say-from-donald-duck-i-have-learned-more-about/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) > [The first time I saw a picture of Elvis - I was in a state of shock, because I couldn't believe that a human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/the-first-time-i-saw-a-picture-of-elvis-i-was-in-a-state-of-shock/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) > [Not only do I think that he is highly intelligent but also outstandingly educated. ... He is extremely beautiful, fragile and totally unearthly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/not-only-do-i-think-that-he-is-highly-intelligent-but-also/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) > [Warhol is the pre-Helnwein.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/warhol-is-the-pre-helnwein/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) > [Art is a weapon for me, with which I can strike back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/art-is-a-weapon-for-me-with-which-i-can-strike-back/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) > [I feel there is a strong bond between artists and children and all other sacred fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gottfried-helnwein/i-feel-there-is-a-strong-bond-between-artists-and-children-and-all/) [Gottfried Helnwein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) [Explore all 9 Gottfried Helnwein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gottfried-helnwein/) ## More Abused quotes > [One of the most abused country on earth is Mexico. The marketing spills over the border, and people are persuaded to eat food that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-patel/one-of-the-most-abused-country-on-earth-is-mexico-the-marketing/) [Raj Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-patel/) > [“Too many cases thrown out of court, too much pop-psycho crap, satanic bullshit... if you FEEL you've been abused, you HAVE been!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kellerman/too-many-cases-thrown-out-of-court-too-much-pop-psycho-crap-satanic/) [Jonathan Kellerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kellerman/) > [“Rather than being incensed by the nature of the bruise, maybe we should be inspired by the possibilities in the bruise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/rather-than-being-incensed-by-the-nature-of-the-bruise-maybe-we/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I used to teach at an abused children's home. I told the kids, "You all have a manure pile of memories. Nothing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-o-donnell/i-used-to-teach-at-an-abused-children-s-home-i-told-the-kids-you-all/) [Rebecca O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-o-donnell/) > [Early on in my life, I had a broken soul. I was abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/early-on-in-my-life-i-had-a-broken-soul-i-was-abused-by-my-father/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“I'm 80% done with The Darker Side of Trey : "It was a pitiful truth. That people seemed unwilling to see the abused, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-spears/i-m-80-done-with-the-darker-side-of-trey-it-was-a-pitiful-truth-that/) Tara Spears > [Praise makes me humble, but when I am abused, I know that I have touched the stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gyles-brandreth/praise-makes-me-humble-but-when-i-am-abused-i-know-that-i-have/) [Gyles Brandreth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gyles-brandreth/) > [I’ve abused myself a lot over the years. But my voice is still intact – really, it’s better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-cliff/i-ve-abused-myself-a-lot-over-the-years-but-my-voice-is-still-intact/) [Jimmy Cliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-cliff/) > [I've been chased. I've been pushed. I've been screamed at. I've been verbally abused. I've been afraid for my safety. But I did it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/i-ve-been-chased-i-ve-been-pushed-i-ve-been-screamed-at-i-ve-been/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [“The book is open, spine cracked, abused in a way no one with respect for paper should ever do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-swyler/the-book-is-open-spine-cracked-abused-in-a-way-no-one-with-respect/) [Erika Swyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erika-swyler/) > [I ask my friend -what is your story?- because I want to give the answer of mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ask-my-friend-what-is-your-story-because-i-want-to-give-the-answer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people have never been loved, they've only been disrespected, used, cheated on, abused and hurt that's why they don't trust anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/some-people-have-never-been-loved-they-ve-only-been-disrespected-used/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [The term 'doctor' has been so abused lately! I didn't live in a hospital for 10 years so that term could be bastardized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-pinsky/the-term-doctor-has-been-so-abused-lately-i-didn-t-live-in-a-hospital/) [Drew Pinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-pinsky/) > [“Abuse ambushed my life, I could not love myself truly and could never have a healthy relationship, they were either abused or completely impaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/abuse-ambushed-my-life-i-could-not-love-myself-truly-and-could-never/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst...They are for nothing but to inspire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/books-are-the-best-of-things-well-used-abused-among-the-worst-they/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) Browse all 293 Abused quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I started to paint, I painted children because I just felt that I wanted to take their side. 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