I was approached by a stranger yesterday regarding a drawing I had been working on then. I believe it is the first time I have ever been publicly commended for my art before.
As it happened, I was attempting manga-style after a term (or more) of abstinence from the style. While I waited for the bus to arrive, I took out my sketchbook and continued from a previous drawing (which subject matters were China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan from Hetalia: Axis Powers). All in all it was a pretty mundane situation.
Despite being more than pleased with my drawing, I did not expect to be praised by a complete stranger. He was, I estimate, in his early twenties, and spoke to me in rather fluent Chinese. One of his questions, as I recall, was, "你画的啊？" (approximate translation: Did you draw this?) which I personally believe to be a rather silly question considering how he could've observed for himself that I was indeed drawing it.
Disregarding his less than desirable observational abilities, it was flattering to be complimented in public space. He proceeded to ask me, "你会画 One Piece 吗？" (approximate translation: Are you able to draw the characters from/in the style of One Piece?). I told him (in considerably fluent Chinese, I should hope) that I regrettably do not as I do not even read One Piece. I neglected to say that I did not think that One Piece's art was all that fantastic anyway.
To be honest, his honest (and bold) articulation of how much he liked my art stunned me and at the same time made my day. I believe I will forever remember him as the first person to proclaim appreciation for my art without knowing me at all (even if I no longer remember his face, only that he was wearing a white shirt).
