Who's Watching Whom, Acrylic on Canvas, by Mira Woodworth
As artists, it seems we are always looking for new ideas and concepts to portray in our work. We yearn to express our unique experiences and philosophies. We instinctually know that simply copying the work we see on the internet would rob us of our creative mojo. Copying is not creativity at all – it’s busy work. But, it’s so easy to peruse the internet and find example after example of excellent work and ideas. “Why didn’t I think of that first?” we wonder.
How can we take inspiration from the work from other artists without copying?
Next time you are admiring another artist’s work, take time to read their profile. Study the artist’s intent. What questions are they answering, what beliefs do they hold? You can glean inspiration and ideas by researching the artists’ motivation. Once you have done this, formulate a creative cue. The creative cue is the gem behind the artwork that is free for the taking.
Formulating a creative cue is similar to math and is actually an exercise in lateral thinking. First, determine (or even guess) at the motivating factor(s) of the artist who created the inspirational piece. You can find revealing information in profiles, artist statements or the artist’s comments about the work. Next, use this information as a creative cue by looking inward to your own beliefs and ideas. Next, apply this new found knowledge to your chosen medium.
It’s easier than it sounds. Here are a three examples I recently wrote about:
Leslie from Deviant Art created a sculpture called “Can’t See Forest 4 the Trees.” Her polymer clay piece is the bust of a person inlayed with forest and trees. A creative cue I can take from Leslie’s work: Interpret a common saying. Taking that creative cue, I must think of another famous saying, and interpret it in my preferred medium. Although inspired by Leslie’s work, my results will be wildly different and contain my own voice.
Margaux Lange provided an interesting creative cue for us. She uses a toy from her childhood that she recalls being at the forefront of her earliest creative memory. A creative cue from Lange’s work: Incorporate into your work what motivated you as a child. Another creative cue from Lange’s work: Explore your favorite childhood toys in your chosen medium. Perhaps a painting of a Lego castle? Do you remember tinker toys?
Karen Kamentzky combines her philosophical belief about how change happens with her art quilting. After reviewing her artist statement, a creative cue immediately comes to mind: Explore your beliefs about change. This creative cue can be expanded to other philosophical ideas such as: Explore your beliefs about religion, politics, and human nature. Karen quilts, but if you apply your own philosophical answers to your own medium, you will have a piece of artwork that no one else could have possibly dreamed up.
It is possible to find inspiration, motivation, ideas and even direction from the work of other artists without copying. The key is to look for the motivation behind the artwork and combine that motivation with your personal experiences and philosophy. If you take the creative cue, you will create original works that could have only come from you. Afterall, that’s what every artist wants: a body of original artwork unique to ourselves.
For more creative cues, click on the category “Inspirations.” I regularly profile artists whose work is inspiring along with a creative cue I find. And don’t forget to share the creative cues you find with me!
