Ramblings again... Painting Light

I always have to stop and laugh when I read something like this "the common thread in all my paintings is the light. Which direction does it come from? The way light falls on a subject defines my style...". Well, you get the idea. Maybe I am wrong but this seems to "talk down" to the people who really matter in the world of art. Those who love art! If you are an artist who has considered adding such as this to your statement (yes, yes I know all about "the painter of light" - not impressed with that use of phrase either) please think about this. ALL painting is about light. Without light... well, there simply isn't a painting. Even a non-representational abstract uses light. The light source being more obvious to a viewer doesn't change this. The fact is, if you can't master the use of light in your paintings, no matter your style or subject, you still have a long way to go.

Personally, I think this trend to use the "I paint light" phrase is due to the expectation placed on artists to write an artists statement. Lets face it, most visual artists are well, visual. Writing a two paragraph statement can become a week long torture!

What I want to know is this... who made up all these "art" rules anyway? I have a bone to pick with them. lol