How do we become the artists we become?  Who are our influences and how do we create a path of development that allows our own creative vision to shine.  I'm intrigued by the topic of an artist's "path of development" because it is one more way that we all get to be creative.  It's totally up to each of us to develop our own trail, built upon the foundation offered by those who have created before us.

When I heard Richard Van Pelt speak I looked at the exhibition prior to the talk.  I wanted to get a sense of his vision, his style, his interior prior to hearing about his external inspiration.  One of the things I've always commented about the difference between modern day artists and artists of earlier centuries is that we don't have a formal apprentice program.  Richard took care of that by creating a self-imposed apprenticeship early in his career.

He shared that he's had two major influences in his artistic journey, Ansel Adams and Robert Adams.  For ten years he created his own work but took on a persona, that of each of his influences.  It's about channeling the energy, the vision and the message of each inspiring photographer that eventually led Richard to creating a voice of his own.  It was first  about technique and then became about creating his own artistic vision.

Richard told the audience that he sees himself as a documentary photographer.  He stated, "The more you try to be authorless, the more distinct the word (you create) can or will become."

I'll leave you with that last quote and hope you take it run with the idea.  How does that come to fruition in your own art or how do you vision it becoming in your art? 

Each lesson we can learn from those who have walked the path ahead of us shortens our learning curve and increases our chances of creating sustainable art businesses.

Working toward distinction...
Greg

coaching artists to success