Moods like these are always a bit depressing or misguided as I often run away and hide, preferably in a book, hoping that inspiration will come. And I guess at times it does, but often it keeps me focused in on other lives inside the novel and I forget about my own.
Yesterday after looking at the four blank canvases on my wall one too many times, I took them down and started to build my foundation. I pulled colors I thought would work good together, but also work with the wall color. Once I had completed the first stage (keep in mind only the first stage), I laid them to dry next to each other and the overwhelming feeling that I get sometimes started creeping in...what I saw was four seemingly blank canvases I had no ideas for.
I stopped. I left. I came back. I felt the same. Determined not to allow myself to let go so quickly I got on the computer and let one link lead to another until I found Elsie Flannigan. I must admit she has never really been an inspiration to me, not because I don't think she's fabulous or an inspiration, but because what she creates I cannot possibly relate to. My mind doesn't work the same way, so while I admire her style and creativity, I admire with jealous eyes wishing I could be, they way she is, completely unique. Then I saw this painting that caught my eye. Perhaps it was that I had made a mistake while working on my canvases and already had a green background dried and ready to go or the fact that this drawing had a camera around the subjects neck. Whatever the reason, I decided I wanted to paint it. I want to tell you I was so inspired by her that I did my own thing, but sadly that is not the way it happened. Instead I was inspired to copy her painting...from the color, to the drawing, to the design. It's not what I set out to do, but I guess I knew my mind was too full to be creative in my own right and I was so desperate to paint...I gave it a try.
It felt so good to just paint something, even if it wasn't mine, to feel like I actually knew what I was doing gave me loads of confidence. It also taught me a lot about my technique, mistakes I've made in the past, and gave me ideas. Yes, ideas. So this morning I woke up wanting to do it again so I could continue the learning process I started yesterday.
Again I pulled from Elsie so I didn't have to think where I was going next, but I could just work and learn. This is as far as I got. It's not done, at least I know I want to put cloths on the girl and some detail work, but I don't think I'll spend time finishing it. I learned again from trying, feeling the paint beneath my paint brush and realized what techniques to use and what not to do to get certain results, and so for that reason the painting is finished (seeing how I'm not going to anything with it since it's not really mine).
It feels very strange to have blatantly copied another artist, I'm not sure why I'm sharing it on my blog as it seems a bit shameful, except the fact that by doing it, it helped me, it opened my eyes. It got the paint brush in my hand and helped me move again. It got me feeling excited so now when I look at those four, now colored, canvases on my wall I'm not overwhelmed...just looking forward to playing with each one.
9 comments:
I don't think you should be ashamed that you copied someone else. At least you gave her credit, which is a lot more than most people would do and really in the end- you will make it yours.
For me I have found my best ideas come after I've recreated another's idea.
FYI- I totally copied your camera strap idea.. although I used this great zebra print fabric.
I am so in the same empty spot. I like to think that I am creating in other areas of my life- but I kinda wish I could get back to what I had.
With the internet I swear it is all about duplicating, maybe changing things slightly. Imitation is all over the place- sometimes I wonder if there really are any original ideas out there anymore. This was a whole journey for you, nothing to be ashamed of if you ask me. I think most artists would be flattered to know that is was their piece that brought you out of the empty-ness.
I think it looks fantastic! I'm glad you learned a lot from another artist...Thanks for sharing!
I think you'll be out of this funk before you know it. You really have an enormous amount of talent and so much thought and effort goes into your art and your creativity that I suppose it must be draining. I'm sure those flashes of light are right around the corner:)
I am the Queen of Copying, Amy. I say take your inspiration wherever you can get it!
I think that paintiing is a good kind of therapy; you can let go your imagination and your thoughts. We can take our inspiration wherever and it's good that you learn something about you through someone else's paintings.
You are very creative and a real artist!
i learn from you and other fantastically creative bloggers all. the. time.
THANK YOU!
Inspiration comes in many forms, so whatever it takes to get the creative juices flowing is great.
There is nothing wrong with being inspired by someone else. i wish I could get that far! I seem to find no inspiration at all. I love the canvases.
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