---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would have conversations with European…"
description: "\"I would have conversations with European artists. Meaning, people look at my painting and one person would say, \"Oh, your painting is just like so-and-..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/michael-chow-48716_art_i-would-have-conversations-with-european_2242338.jpg"
---

#  I would have conversations with European artists. Meaning…

![“I would have conversations with European artists. Meaning, people look at my painting and one person would say, &quot;Oh, your painting is just like so-and-so!&quot; Another person would say, &quot;It's just like so-and-so.&quot; But at the end, it's a chain of relay like a marathon. There are so many so-and-so's…” quote by Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/michael-chow-48716_art_i-would-have-conversations-with-european_2242338.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/michael-chow-48716_art_i-would-have-conversations-with-european_2242338.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/michael-chow-48716_art_i-would-have-conversations-with-european_2242338.jpg)

> “I would have conversations with European artists. Meaning, people look at my painting and one person would say, "Oh, your painting is just like so-and-so!" Another person would say, "It's just like so-and-so." But at the end, it's a chain of relay like a marathon. There are so many so-and-so's that eventually it becomes mine. My dialogue was completely European, with the '40s, '50s, '60s artists, but on the exterior side I do big painting. It's post-Pollock. It's current. It's a meeting of the time. The Chinese side just comes out.”

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

## 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 sees his work as a dialogue with past European masters, absorbing influences until they become his own unique voice.

**In simple terms:** He blends European influence with his own style, creating a personal, contemporary art.

Key Takeaway

Embrace influences, then transform them into your own expression.

Themes

art influence identity dialogue

Mood

reflective creative introspective

Type

statement philosophical

When to use this quote

- painting exhibitions
- artist statements
- art education
- curatorial discussions

Key Concepts

cultural synthesis artistic lineage creative evolution

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance homage and originality?
- What influences shape your artistic voice?

A Different Perspective

The risk of losing originality when overly mimicking others.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Big Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-painting-5088656/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversations European](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversations-european-5088657/) [Dialogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dialogue/) [European Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/european-artists-4071011/) [Marathon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marathon/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Oh Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oh-painting-3580726/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Post Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/post-pollock-1773341/)

## Related quotes

> [In the past 10 years, I've looked at life as this Pollock stuff. And now I'm almost in the post Pollock phase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-harris/in-the-past-10-years-i-ve-looked-at-life-as-this-pollock-stuff-and/)

[Ed Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-harris/)

> [I don't know any artists or painters, like, "Oh that painting group." I want to write down this idea of a group of artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/i-don-t-know-any-artists-or-painters-like-oh-that-painting-group-i/)

[Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/)

> [If you are close to it, a big painting is just a feeling around you, that's all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rosenquist/if-you-are-close-to-it-a-big-painting-is-just-a-feeling-around-you/)

[James Rosenquist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rosenquist/)

> [As a result of World War II, European artists migrated to America, enlarging the scene and diminishing Paris as the center. America was beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arne-glimcher/as-a-result-of-world-war-ii-european-artists-migrated-to-america/)

[Arne Glimcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arne-glimcher/)

> [Around mile 20 I was feeling so good, I wanted to kiss everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-ritter/around-mile-20-i-was-feeling-so-good-i-wanted-to-kiss-everyone/)

[Josh Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-ritter/)

> [Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present, advances us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/whatever-withdraws-us-from-the-power-of-our-senses-whatever-makes-the/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [When using the run-walk method to finish a marathon, the most important walk break comes in the first mile. The second most important one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-galloway/when-using-the-run-walk-method-to-finish-a-marathon-the-most/)

[Jeff Galloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-galloway/)

> [“Where most friends would say, “Poor baby,” running friends say, “You’re being a baby.” Where most friends offer gentle encouragement, running friends talk smack.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-lacke/where-most-friends-would-say-poor-baby-running-friends-say-you-re/)

[Susan Lacke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-lacke/)

> [What could be funnier than a fat person trying to run a marathon?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/what-could-be-funnier-than-a-fat-person-trying-to-run-a-marathon/)

[Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/)

> [A season is like a marathon and there will be plenty of ups and downs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kolo-toure/a-season-is-like-a-marathon-and-there-will-be-plenty-of-ups-and-downs/)

[Kolo Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kolo-toure/)

> [TV is, as I'm discovering now, a marathon. You have to keep going and going and going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-nolan/tv-is-as-i-m-discovering-now-a-marathon-you-have-to-keep-going-and/)

[Jonathan Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-nolan/)

> [ Senator \[Tom\] Cotton has campaigned on wanting to kill Obamacare. He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act back in January, but he now… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/senator-tom-cotton-has-campaigned-on-wanting-to-kill-obamacare-he/)

[Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/)

> [Age shakes Athena's tower, but spares gray Marathon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/age-shakes-athena-s-tower-but-spares-gray-marathon/)

[Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/)

> [The only way I'll ever run a marathon is if I'm involved in the administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-phillips/the-only-way-i-ll-ever-run-a-marathon-is-if-i-m-involved-in-the/)

[Sally Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-phillips/)

> [Stadiums are for spectators. We runners have Nature, and that is much better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juha-vaatainen/stadiums-are-for-spectators-we-runners-have-nature-and-that-is-much/)

[Juha Vaatainen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juha-vaatainen/)

## More by Michael Chow

> [There's a difference between craft and painting. Craft, your job is to make it exactly the same every time. Painting is the opposite, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/there-s-a-difference-between-craft-and-painting-craft-your-job-is-to/)

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

> [I've lived a long time, and a lot of things shut down. Painting is one of them. It never occurred to me that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/i-ve-lived-a-long-time-and-a-lot-of-things-shut-down-painting-is-one/)

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

> [I get very surprised and shocked because there is so much prejudice against me as a celebrity, instead of them looking at the quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/i-get-very-surprised-and-shocked-because-there-is-so-much-prejudice/)

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

> [The egg, you see, is a very sexy thing. Egg is like birth. Eggshell is sexy. Egg yolk is definitely sexy. Oh, I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/the-egg-you-see-is-a-very-sexy-thing-egg-is-like-birth-eggshell-is/)

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

> [The true essence of Chinese culture is sophistication, refinement, the spirit of poetry. The spirit of ink painting and calligraphy lives on forever. Calligraphy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/the-true-essence-of-chinese-culture-is-sophistication-refinement-the/)

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

> [Mys philosophy toward art is true to my time, true to my dream, and true to myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/mys-philosophy-toward-art-is-true-to-my-time-true-to-my-dream-and/)

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

> [Sometimes you look at a painting and certain parts are so beautiful. You say, "Wow, this is fantastic," but 10 minutes later you most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/sometimes-you-look-at-a-painting-and-certain-parts-are-so-beautiful/)

[Michael Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

[Explore all 8 Michael Chow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/)

## More Art quotes

> [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

> [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/)

[Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/)

> [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/)

[Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/)

> [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/)

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/)

[Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/)

> [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/)

[Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/)

> [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/)

[Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/)

> [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/)

[Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/)

> [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/)

[Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/)

[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/)

> [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/)

[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/)

> [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/)

[Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/)

[Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I would have conversations with European artists. Meaning, people look at my painting and one person would say, \"Oh, your painting is just like so-and-so!\" Another person would say, \"It's just like so-and-so.\" But at the end, it's a chain of relay like a marathon. There are so many so-and-so's that eventually it becomes mine. My dialogue was completely European, with the '40s, '50s, '60s artists, but on the exterior side I do big painting. It's post-Pollock. It's current. It's a meeting of the time. The Chinese side just comes out.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Chow"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/i-would-have-conversations-with-european-artists-meaning-people-look/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Art"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/i-would-have-conversations-with-european-artists-meaning-people-look/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/michael-chow-48716_art_i-would-have-conversations-with-european_2242338.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/michael-chow-48716_art_i-would-have-conversations-with-european_2242338.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/michael-chow-48716_art_i-would-have-conversations-with-european_2242338.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I would have conversations with European artists. Meaning, people look at my painting and one person would…” — Michael Chow",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Michael Chow",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chow/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I would have conversations with European...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/i-would-have-conversations-with-european-artists-meaning-people-look/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chow/i-would-have-conversations-with-european-artists-meaning-people-look/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
