It is not clear exactly who said “Good artists copy, but great artists steal.” It might have been Picasso. The poet TS Eliot wrote something very similar in 1920. Regardless, the quote brings to the forefront an idea, a concept that I am consistently highlighting in all my Art2Life programs.
It has to do with creating your Art from looking primarily inside of yourself instead of outside of yourself. I teach a lot of workshops and I understand and appreciate the temporary influence a teacher’s work may have upon a students. While this is to be expected, I am not at all interested in having this be the final result for my students.
When someone is copying someone else’s art, it just means that they are looking outside of themselves more than they are looking within. In the beginning everyone is trying to figure out what kind of Art it is exactly they can make. Everyone is influenced. I surely was and I too copied people’s work because I so badly wanted to create work that I loved. I couldn’t see my own work at that point, as it was still unmade. It is far easier and certainly more visually obvious to look at what others – such as your teachers, past artists, those you admire – are making for the answers instead of where the true answers lay: within yourself.
Everyone – and I really mean everyone – is capable of discovering what their own creativity can create if they are willing to take the time to investigate. Every person walking the Earth is utterly unique. No 2 people are the same. However, to really visually represent this difference one must pay attention to one’s self and not so much to what others are doing.
Finding your own Art is the practice of finding your own Life. Share on XIf you are copying it means you are looking over your shoulder at someone else’s art instead of your own. If, on the other hand, you steal someone art then this is something entirely different. Taking inspiration, taking colors, design, whatever and then using it, modifying it as your own actually transforms it into something personal. What matters in the end is your thinking. Are you inside or outside of yourself when making Art?
It is always challenging to find your own expression. It is mired with half starts, uncertainties and can, over time, wear you down, particularly when your art does not match your expectations.
Looking back now I so clearly can remember all the firsts, all the fun and even the pain, and certainly all the tremendous “ah ha!” moments I found along the way. This is what it is all about. The life of an artist is an unfolding, a peeling away of layers… layers of self-doubt, ego, dreams, hopes and always renewed optimism and faith.
It turns out that the practice of finding your own Art is ultimately the practice of finding your own Life. And finding that makes everything else pale in comparison. I want to say thank you. I feel especially grateful to be part of this tribe.
32 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
Me too. Grateful to be on this quest. I don’t copy but I do have conversations with artists who have reached my inner self somehow. Their influence is obvious to me as I work, and inseparable from my own work. I felt validated with this when I saw the Diebenkor’s conversation with Matisse. Fascinating… as I continue to search for my own visual voice.
I like the thought of having ‘my own visual voice’. Great thought and ideal.
I loved that show–yes…
Thank You Nick, for posting this blog. “Finding your own Art is the practice of finding your own Life.” Yes, So true! I recently sensed the connection between this two while teaching a class in ‘Art Journaling.’ I was explaining the objective of the class, when I blurted out the question “Who Am I?” as an example of finding topics and ideas to jump start the process. When I saw how this question opened up the students’ mind, I realized that’s what I need to do too for myself — get to know myself and express that knowledge in my artwork. Now that I am focus on this subject, I begin to see all the layers you mentioned. The next step is how to bring all that information onto the canvas… maybe this is why I found you! Thank You. Namaste.
Yes..and teaching is such a good way for the teacher to learn…great..thx
I have taken many courses and found individual opinions and ideas wonderful and I do try to emulate them while in that class and sometimes beyond as a means of understanding that person. Differing opinions on ‘copying’ or stealing have surprised me until I had taken enough courses and had enough personal conversations to exact their true thoughts on this matter. In that process I have developed my own opinion and have tried to express it but today someone wrote how I feel and live my artists life – finding wonder,, finding what I like and what I don’t like, emulating and throwing away ideas only to bring them back later. No one has expressed it as well as you did in this essay………….thank you – perhaps now I can better explain (although I don’t teach or have a blog) how I feel about this particular aspect of becoming your own person and artist.
Clare, glad it resonated…
Nicholas, i look forward to your wisdom every week! Your words today really resonated with me. I too had heard the quote about copying vs stealing but never understood it. Thank you. I feel like I have moved into that stage of stealing now and think I can be an even better thief now that I know it will lead me to my own work. What a gift you have given me today!
Perfect–big smile over here….
New thoughts every time I read your words of wisdom! When I create a piece of art that I love, I now know I am working from the inside. Inspiration from other artists always creates positive energy for me, gets me excited to make my own. Your words today help me understand I need to keep investigating and remembering to paint from inside! Thanks again, I too look forward to your wisdom every week! Your words are a blessing in not only my art, but in living!
Dharla- thanks for reading!
Great food for thought – and it makes me wonder if feeling lost artistically is a clue that something is amiss in one’s life. I know I have times when everything comes together in my paintings and others when it feels like it may be time to hang up the paintbrushes for good. I think the two coincide – it’s like having a case of spiritual flu and when that’s dealt with, the “flow” will return. Thanks, again.
I get that– I don’t think anything is wrong if you are not “in ” it all the time. Just pay attention to when it feels good…remember this and try to return to that same place — when it feels good–then you are making the right art–
Well, this certainly comes at a perfect time for me! If you read my last post from yesterday on our Alumni page you’ll read my struggle. At the beginning of the piece I really really felt like I was completely outside of myself. After a lot of persistence, layers, walking away when I wanted to shoot it, and then going back in I finally found myself. As a result, the piece is good. Thanks Nick!!!
Jeannie- this is a practice and you need to do this experience a few times to finally get it.. congratulations for breaking through this time…!
Thank you for this insightful post. I am a potter and frequently look at other artists’ work on the web. Sometimes I see something I really love and occasionally try to make something similar. It NEVER moves me as much as the original I looked at did. You made me realize that this work does not come from inside me. The pieces that I love most (and that sell best) are the ones that are mine!
For sure…that is it..
I can totally rely on your words. They correspond with my experience. It is a relief to listen to them and to feel your deep understanding of the often tortorous path of self discovery. I still struggle with influences and try to be honest about it. But recently I am able to hear that tiny voice inside me that guides me. That´s a very deep satisfaction.
Insa! Hi! If you pay attention–your work will naturally evolve by itself–don’t waste another minute worrying about it… spend that energy making art..–Hey can’t wait to see you in Morocco!
This is how I stole your art;-) Many layers on wood – it was an awesome way to work. Thank you so much, I have learned so many lessons from watching your vids! https://www.instagram.com/p/BXHGLRkjhSb/
Hey and look I can see already how you are going to make it more and more your own–fabulous!
yay
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I’d heard the quote as, “All artists steal from each other but the great ones make it their own.”
There is a very good book to read about this point. “Steal Like An Artist” by Austin Kleon.
Nicholas,
It is a challenge to paint from within. For me, it
requires a disconnect from expectation and acceptance. When it happens
there is a relaxing spiritual flow that is difficult to describe. I lose
track of time and feel at the end that I was not in the driver seat.
It’s a gratifying and grateful experience all rolled into one.
Painting this way for years I have found that I cannot duplicate my own work nor are any two paintings the same.
Thank you for this topic. It is encouraging.
I am always touched by your insight. This piece especially resonated. I, like others, compare myself to other artists. The Dalai Lama says, “Don’t compare yourself. If you must compare, then compare yourself to those who have less.” The lesson, for me, is, comparison is an unnamed deadly sin we all experience…that erodes our confidence in ourselves. Yet it seems to be a necessary evil, if evil it be. Can we call it other? The hidden value is an arrow to self discovery: I have been noticing what I am attracted to (thank you Nick for noticing that important step)… that which I am attracted to is .raw unapologetic expressionism. Why? Who knows? Don’t follow that arrow… Instead, note: I am learning, accept it: That which I am attracted to is IN ME…crying to get out. Along the way, I have copied… .apologetically, and un-apologetically…. uncovering an understanding that this is an important part of learning and a path to self acceptance. Your words both educate and remind me of this process. At some deep level I DO know this. It is like an ember not fed properly…to a fire burning deep within. This is so complex and so simple… I am humbled by your knowledge hard won, I am sure. Thank you. Thank you. I am grateful.I stay, supported by your insights, on the path. I love this art community. Thank you for the wisdom in creating it.
well said!
One of your best Nick. Thanks for clearing the path again.
I was brought up with the belief it’s wrong to copy, thats cheating, it has to always be unique, this included others methodologies, quite egotistical thinking really! This lense I had gave me no space for research and development, which included interest in other peoples methodologies. I’m not sure where I picked them up, what was important is I questioned them and when I landed that I didn’t choose them and they weren’t law I could start exploring with fresh eyes. I started to discover online art course’s which also led me to discovering you and the way you do things which has been so valuable. Thank you.
This was such a true inspiration to read because you pin pointed what is the most important, coming from inside oneself and in the process working with what needs working on inside oneself. Thank you.
These word really spoke to my soul today as lately I have been in the comparison mode. Which is not a good place to be in. This blog post reminds me paint from my heart as that’s what brings me joy!
A lady artist who is very big in Britain, is very secretive when asked about her technique. Her response is along the lines of ‘I had to figure it out – you figure it out’. Personally I seriously admire your approach – what is there to fear from the efforts of those who try what you try…isn’t the most important job in the world that of being a teacher, however that takes shape???