Stepping Stones

September 18, 2024


Every artist’s journey is a unique tapestry, intricately woven from countless influences, experiences, and inspirations. Whether it’s the vivid strokes of a painting, the emotion in a melody, or the depth of a literary work, these influences shape our creativity and push us toward new horizons. When we learn to engage with these inspirations, our artistic practice can flourish, leading to profound growth and a deeper connection with our work.

The Many Forms of Influence

Influence is all around us, taking many shapes and forms. It can be direct, like the works of artists whose styles resonate with you, or indirect, arising from life experiences, conversations, or the world at large. Each of these influences has the potential to spark a new idea or shift your perspective, urging you to explore fresh avenues in your own creative expression.

Artistic Inspirations

Some of the most obvious influences come from the artists, movements, or styles you admire. Whether it’s the expressive brushstrokes of Van Gogh, the raw emotional power of Frida Kahlo’s storytelling, or the quiet subtleties of Japanese ink wash painting, these influences help inform your own practice. By studying their techniques and philosophies, you not only learn new skills but also begin to form your own artistic language, building on the foundations laid by those who came before you.

Personal Experiences

Our personal experiences are perhaps the most intimate of influences. The joys and sorrows, adventures, and quiet moments of reflection all shape how we see the world. These life experiences are often embedded in the work we create, giving it emotional depth and authenticity. Whether it’s a painful breakup, the birth of a child, or a quiet walk through nature, these moments offer rich material for your art, creating pieces that feel both personal and universally relatable.

The World Around Us

Beyond personal history, the broader social and cultural context in which we live offers endless inspiration. The politics, social movements, and cultural shifts of our time can inform our work, challenging us to explore themes such as identity, justice, and belonging. Current events, historical narratives, or the quiet hum of everyday life often stir something deep within, prompting us to engage with our environment in meaningful ways.

Embracing and Curating Influence

Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of influences around you, it’s crucial to embrace them and learn how to curate them thoughtfully. Influences can propel your creativity forward, but only if you approach them with intention and discernment.

Curate Your Inspirations

Creating a mood board, inspiration journal, or digital collection of ideas can be a powerful way to curate the influences that resonate with you. Gather images, quotes, and concepts that spark your creativity and use them as a visual or conceptual reference point when you need inspiration. This practice helps to keep your creative focus clear while allowing space for new ideas to evolve.

Experiment with Different Styles

One of the most valuable ways to learn from influences is to experiment with the techniques of the artists who inspire you. Don’t be afraid to mimic or reinterpret their styles. This isn’t about copying, but about diving deep into their methods to understand how they approached their work. As you experiment, you’ll gain a better understanding of their process and find ways to make their techniques your own.

Reflect on Your Work

Regularly taking time to reflect on your art is an essential part of growth. Consider which influences have shaped your recent pieces and how they’ve informed your creative decisions. This reflection helps you better understand your own journey as an artist, illuminating the path ahead and guiding your future choices.

Collaborate with Others

Collaboration with other artists is a powerful way to expand your creative horizons. By engaging with artists from different disciplines or backgrounds, you introduce new perspectives into your own practice. These exchanges often spark fresh ideas and challenge you to think in ways you might not have considered before, enriching your work in the process.

The Evolving Nature of Influence

As you continue to grow and evolve as an artist, your influences will naturally shift. What inspired you five years ago may no longer hold the same meaning or relevance today, and that’s a healthy part of the creative process. Artistic growth is about staying open to change, exploring new sources of inspiration, and, when necessary, letting go of those influences that no longer serve your work.

This evolution is not something to fear but to embrace. As your style matures and your vision becomes clearer, you may find yourself drawn to new inspirations—perhaps from unexpected sources. Allowing these influences to guide you helps keep your practice dynamic and continuously evolving.

Your Unique Artistic Path

Ultimately, influences are not mere stepping stones but the threads that weave together your artistic identity. They help you navigate the complexities of creativity, challenge your thinking, and expand your vision. By embracing the diverse sources of inspiration around you, you can cultivate an artistic practice that reflects who you are, where you’ve been, and where you are headed.

Each influence you encounter becomes a guide, helping you carve your own unique path. Whether you draw inspiration from classic works of art, personal life experiences, or the world’s current events, these influences are essential tools in your creative toolkit. Let them lead you, challenge you, and propel you forward as you discover and refine your true artistic voice.