Artists, under the influence

Every artist strives for their own style.  We all want that signature look, that enables people to pick our work out of a room full of art.

There is no short cut to get to that point. Development of a style happens organically, after many miles are put on our brushes. It comes from recognizing what fascinates us about the process of painting, giving ourselves permission to explore that fascination, and thinking about how it relates to our subject matter, lots of thinking. 

It also comes from looking at the work of many other artists. Seeing what they've done that we love and allowing a tiny bit of their influence to appear in our work.

The Chutes, 12x12, glazed acrylic, $180.00 contact for info

This is one of my latest works, and in it I see several influences. As a child I remember seeing a painting by an aboriginal artist that I can picture in my minds eye even now. I don't remember where I saw it, when, or who the artist was but the image is a part of me, I see its influence in my work today. 

I've had an obsession with fossils since I was a toddler, is see that influence in my art. I was fascinated by and spent hours staring at, this three dimensional plate my Mom had in her kitchen, it's now in mine, and it's influence is in my art.

The brush stokes of both Tom Tompson, and Vincent Van Gough have grabbed me by the heart and influence what I do today, I could go on, but I think you get it...

Understanding our influences helps us understand our connection to the greater world of art, and our debt to the brother and sisterhood of artists who came before us. 

Honour your influences, tell us who they are. They are your connection to an illustrious past and a bright future.