Do we beg, borrow, and steal creative ideas? You bet we do!
The great artist Picasso was famously quoted as saying “The good borrow, the great steal”, and he was well aware of his creative influences. He was heavily influenced by the African masks he saw on exhibition in Paris.
We can all learn from and take inspiration from the greats, so why not steal from the best? I'm lucky to have been exposed to some of the best art in the world's best museums, and it's impossible not to be influenced by them.
I have also recently been influenced by the works of Brenda Goodman, who had one of the top 50 exhibitions to see in the world this year. Just finished at Sikkema Jenkins and Co. in New York.
My current painting, "Joan of Arc", is a combination of many influences, including Rothco border blending, thin layers of surface treatments, my color harmonies, and a row boat and mountain metaphors suggesting journeys. These come together to form an abstract face, looking back at us, the viewers.
The painting, titled in honor of the courageous Joan of Arc, is a tribute to her unwavering spirit, intrepid journey, and indelible legacy. Its poignant question to the viewer – "What is the story of your life?" – encourages us to reflect on our own paths and the stories that define us. Through Joan of Arc's example, the painting serves as a reminder to be brave, embrace our journeys, and create legacies of our own.
Done in 2023.
Medium:
Oil on board painting comes with a light wood frame
Size:
36" by 36"
