Nothing Is Original
"Austin Kleon (and Milo)" by Austin Kleon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
All artists copy others. Many would argue it is a fundamental stepping stone in the development of all original work. Austin Kleon wrote a book about it, which I love and highly recommend. It is this book that helped me to finally get going and begin this blog.
What a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original … If we’re free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running away from it.
Austin Kleon ~ Steal like an Artist
And that is exactly what I am doing here, embracing influence.
In order to get started with writing pieces I could publish, I looked at the work of other bloggers, writers, artists and I decided that I really like the way Kleon formats his blog and newsletter. So, for now, I am going to emulate some aspects of the way he works. The content is different, and many other things - but the way he blogs and how he creates his newsletter is something I plan to emulate, at least to begin with. Over time I am sure I will find my own way - but for now, I need a guide and Kleon’s example will be invaluable.
Kleon wrote a post explaining copying as one way artists learn and describes how the process of copying anything, even badly from a number of different artists eventually becomes your own unique way of creating art.
New York Magazine Art Critic Jerry Saltz has 33 lessons on how to be an artist. One of his lessons values copying as well:
Lesson 3: Don’t Be Afraid To Imitate
We all start as copycats, people who make pastiches of other people’s work. Fine! Do that. However, when you do this, focus, start to feel the sense of possibility in making all these things your own — even when the ideas, tools, and moves come from other artists. Whenever you make anything, think of yourself as entering a gigantic stadium filled with ideas, avenues, ways, means, and materials. And possibilities. Make these things yours. This is your house now.
Jerry Salz
So - this is my on line house. Welcome. And if you are a creative type trying to ‘find your voice’, your way of expressing yourself and you haven’t yet sorted it - consider copying those you admire for a while until you figure it out. That’s what I plan to do. I hope this helps.
L x
