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| Under the Canopy oil 12 x 16 |
There is little or nothing new in the world. What matters is the new and different position in which an artist finds herself seeing and considering the things of so-called nature and the works that have preceded and interested her. — Giorgio MorandiI think it is important to be looking at art--all the time. Look at art from the past and look at contemporary art and figure out what it is that attracts you to a certain piece. Is it color, or technique? Is it subject or design? Would you hang it on your walls? What can you borrow from the work? Be a sponge and soak in what the artist does well. If you are a collector, you will probably notice that certain styles appeal to you time and again.
Throughout the history of art, there are countless examples of how one artistic movement borrows from another. What is important is how those influences are extracted and molded to what satisfied the artists that followed. If you have influences (and you should), ask yourself how you can make those ideas your own. How can you put a new twist on an old idea? How can you learn from the past and explore some of your own thoughts at the same time?
Hi Kate, just found your blog, love your artwork, and your compositions, after reading "on borrowing & stealing," I was curious to know what artist you follow and artists of the past have inspired you. I am also a Plein Air painter, and love being out there in Nature. Thanks for writing an interesting blog, love the posts I have read so far.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteThe list is long, but E. Blumenschein, the Group of Seven, John Carlson, Robert Lougheed,John Singer Sargent, William Wendt come directly to mind in terms of artists from the past. Some from the present and links to their sites are listed on the right hand column of the blog. I'm always finding someone new to admire.