Under the Influence

In the realm of creativity, influence is a double-edged force. It has the power to inspire and propel artists forward, but it can also become a disguise, an elaborate costume that obscures the true self. For many artists, the path toward authenticity lies in navigating the delicate balance between external influence and internal identity. It is a gradual, transformative process, where shedding borrowed elements allows one’s true artistic essence to emerge.

Influence is unavoidable. The artists we admire, the cultures we move through, and the visual language surrounding us all leave their mark. Early in an artist’s development, these influences are often essential, offering guidance and a framework for exploration. Yet over time, inspiration can slip into imitation. Artists may find themselves adopting familiar styles or techniques that feel safe and recognizable, but not entirely their own. This “costume” can bring comfort and even success, but it may also create a quiet dissonance between the work and the self.

This dissonance often signals a deeper need for reflection. While wearing the costume of influence, an artist might feel validated externally yet disconnected internally. The journey forward requires courage: questioning what truly belongs to you, confronting uncomfortable truths, and venturing into unfamiliar territory. It means experimenting without certainty, risking failure, and allowing vulnerability to guide the work toward something more honest.

As this process unfolds, the costume begins to fall away. What remains is a voice shaped by lived experience rather than imitation. The work grows richer, more personal, and more resonant, not because it rejects influence entirely, but because it has been fully digested and transformed. In an age saturated with trends and constant comparison, this authenticity carries weight. The most compelling art emerges when artists are willing to unmask themselves, creating from a place of truth. If you find yourself entangled in influence, take heart. The journey toward your true voice is not a loss, but a return to who you were always becoming.