Because I was starting out in my 20's. I wanted to do it on my own. I didn't want to use my dad or have people say I was using him.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
My dad let me figure out what I wanted to do on my own.
Because I was successful over the years, I never had the opportunity to do the stuff I really wanted.
When I was young, I didn't want to do traditional painting and calligraphy. I deliberately wanted to separate from my father so I could feel I existed myself.
No one wanted me to be a conscientious objector. My parents certainly didn't want it. My teacher and mentor, Joe Brearley, didn't want it. My friends didn't want it. I was alone.
My big advantage was to have my father accept me as first-generation.
My father wasn't allowing me control and the financial freedom that I was asking for. I was 17, about to be 18 within a year, so I started asking more questions because I felt that I needed to start learning about those things.
It wasn't like I was self-motivated. My dad started me. It was his dream before it was mine.
I saw how hard my parents worked, and I didn't want to be a freeloader.
I always knew I wanted to make my own way; I never wanted to be dependent on my father.
I wanted to grow up to be just like my father.