Artistic Influence

"But perhaps without influence there might be little growth. Like natural selection in the evolution of species, artistic influence is a semi-voluntary device that ensures art never stands still. Further, in a state of flux, if not progress, derivation from others can lead to derivation from the self."

~Robert Genn, Twice Weekly Painter's Keys letters

{Warning! This is a long one. Grab a cup and read on...}

{UPDATE: Apparently, I had started this post on 7/2 so when I hit publish it went back to that date! I have republished it so that others may see and comment if they like. If you have already commented, my apologies!}

This quote came from the Painter's Keys letters from artist Robert Genn. I am not a painter {although I have painted, rather poorly I might add} but I like the correlations that he makes and it causes me to pause and reflect on how his sage advice can apply to any art, no matter the medium. Go there and read a few or sign up for some inspiration to come to your inbox twice a week.

There is always a lot of debate about copy-cats and imitation in art. I know other artists of all media, including jewelry, who have been stung by blatant copycat-ism. I pity those that set about to copy a design directly, and especially if they pass it off as one of their own without any proper credit given. I pity them because they lack confidence. I believe that we have each been called by a higher power to be a creator, not a clone-er. I realize that my art has not been accessible to the world long enough to be treated in this way {I also realize, sadly, that it is but a matter of time before it will happen to me}. There will always be imitators biting at your heels, but that is where I think it helps to have a healthy expectation that your art will never be caught standing still.

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." ~Will Rogers

Henri Toulouse-Latrec's Rousse, La Toilette (Redhead Bathing)

The picture above is by Henri Toulouse-Latrec entitled 'Redhead Bathing.' The painting shows an anonymous woman who was likely posing in her brothel. The picture shows a tenderness in the attention to the small of her back and her flaming red locks. With her face obscured the viewer can imagine her to be anyone. But it is also an imitation of the style of Toulouse-Latrec's much older idol, Edgar Degas.

Edgar Degas, Woman Wiping Her Feet

Degas did similar subjects. His pastel renderings of faceless women catching them in such an intimate moment as they entered their bath, or climbed into bed were just as tender, if more roughly finished. It is quite obvious that Toulouse-Latrec was imitative of his older Master.

But would you say that Toulouse-Latrec was copying his Master?
Or was he merely influenced by this work,
creating something that is truly his own,
propelling his own art forward?

"A great part of art consists in imitation.
For the whole conduct of life is based on this:
that what we admire in others we want to do ourselves."
~Quintilian

I get a lot of publications. I devour each new one, usually keeping back issues. First I love to look quickly at the pictures. Then I return to linger on those that were created by my friends especially. {It is like I am having coffee with a friend.} I like the opportunity to see new techniques, discover new art beads, and learn a thing or two.

I greatly admire all the people whom I see in the pages of these publications, and having been in them myself, I am aware of how challenging it is to do. Often they show me avenues that I have not thought to explore myself. I may not have had the courage to use fiber and fabric and ribbon in my work had I not seen it first in the pages of a magazine. Or the fact that I had never really tried my hand at wire as anything more than a point of connectivity but rather a twisted and twirled integral design element. Not until I saw it in a book by Kerry Bogert. My publications are like a map that show the way. But how I get there, what route I travel is mine alone.

So as I was concocting all the pieces for my gallery exhibit {opening this Friday!} I had these publications and other books nearby for reinforcements. It was like having all my friends in the room to advise me on the direction for each new piece {I may have even had whole conversations with each of you, very late at night. I won't tell you if you talked back ;-}. But even though I have them around me, always studying the construction and materials and resources, I really feel very strongly in making it my own rather than knocking off a copy of something that I see. It is a point of departure.

I am a huge fan of shows like Top Chef and Project Runway {the only TV that I actually take the time to watch}. What I like best about these shows is first that they find immensely talented people and second that they are able to make something out of nothing, completely their point of view, with limited time and resources. They can change elements - like spices - or add details - like military epaulets - and their end-product becomes completely different, unique, one-of-a-kind. When I set out to design a piece of jewelry I might start from the same set of ingredients that everyone else has, but ultimately it is about how I choose to put it all together that sets it apart {I am waiting for a show called 'America's Next Top Jewelry Designer' - I am so going to TiVo that one!}.

Can you imagine anyone who actually sits down with their books or magazines and copies the design piece by piece? I am not naive enough to think that this doesn't ever happen, I am just incredulous that it could. I would think that it would be harder to copy someone else verbatim than just riffing on it and making it your own.

I don't use these printed resources as you would a recipe. If I am inspired by what I see in those pages, it is likely one small portion, like the way a clasp can be front and center or how to use a particular material that I am uncertain about. It inspires me to try something new, whether that is a palette or a material or technique. It is something that I struggle with when a publication wants completely detailed step-by-step instructions from me. When I myself get published I know that I am walking a fine line between inspiring someone to copy me and influencing them to come up with a derivative.

"Do something wonderful, people may imitate it." ~Albert Schweitzer

Case in point.... page 26 of Beads 2010 magazine has the most amazing necklace on it. I was not surprised to see my friend Jess Italia-Lincoln gracing that page with the delicious caramel colored brass pieces and the lush glass beads. I am a huge fan of Jess and her inimitable style {not to mention that I am smitten with all things Vintaj}. I was influenced by the balanced asymmetry of 'Borosilicate Branches' {which is challenging to do well, and Jess certainly succeeded}. I set about to translate that element - balanced asymmetry - into my own work of wearable art for my exhibit. I call this one 'Free Spirit' in honor of the painting that inspired it.

Free Spirit

influenced by the style of Jess Italia-Lincoln
inspired by the Ann Singsaas watercolor 'Red Ponies, Red Desert'
featuring custom polymer clay beads by Christine Damm of Stories They Tell

So tell me what you think...did I succeed in creating a derivative work, influenced by Jess' style but reflecting my own flair?

"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."
~ Herman Melville

Inspiration and influence are uniquely connected.

There are inspiring things to be found around us all the time. We can't help but be influenced by images that we see that we either stow away willingly or those that become part of our subconscious. Ultimately, it is what we do with this storehouse of inspiration and how we channel that influence into our own styles that allow us to truly succeed in moving our art forward in a derivation of self.

In my own way, I have created 78 derivative pieces of art inspired and influenced by the artists and the bead artisans who collaborated with me.

And in this way I am propelling my art forward to new heights.

Tell me what you think.
Do you believe that there is anything completely original in this world?
Or are we all merely imitating all that is around us?
How do you use the images that you see, the recipes, the instructions in your own derivations?
In what ways are you ensuring that you are always moving forward, not standing still?

Do tell!

Enjoy the day!