Artists cannot just admire themselves in isolation; they must engage with life.
Tips
history
From Song poet Zhang Xiaoxiang's 念奴娇·过洞庭 (niàn nú jiāo · guò dòngtíng, 'Crossing Dongting Lake'): 应念岭表经年，孤芳自赏 - recalling years spent beyond the southern ranges, a lone flower admiring itself. Originally a noble image of integrity in solitude; modern usage tilts toward criticism of self-absorbed aloofness.
memory
孤 (gū) = lone + 芳 (fāng) = fragrance/flower + 自赏 (zìshǎng) = self-admire. Picture a single flower in an empty field smelling itself.
