develop on fridays :: week 2

This week's assignment is about what influences us as artists.

Some words from Jefra about influence:

We’re all influenced by someone and/or something. Usually lots of someones and somethings. And about that - this is the bottom line- art doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Even the first artist ever was influenced by something in the natural world.

Is it wrong to have influences? Is it wrong to be influenced by other artists?

Absolutely not!

....she continues on to a touchy subject, influences versus copying:

This is a tender area. Lots of sensitivity over this. When we create something we feel like it’s our original idea. And it is. Or is it? Like I said earlier, art doesn’t come out of a vacuum. Even if an artist did come up with an idea or concept entirely on their own, and executed it entirely their own way, does that mean that no one’s ever done that idea before? Or will think of it on their own also?
As my wise artist husband says “when anyone trying to be creative spends more time looking in their rear mirror rather than their windshield, they’re missing the journey”

And then the assignment:

Part 1 - make an individual inspiration file of not only your favorite photographs/contemporary photographers but also paintings, old photos, works of the old masters, etc.

Part 2 - review these artists and works and define WHAT it is that you love about that piece of artwork, or that style of art.

Part 3 - make a specific photograph based on that influence. Explain who your influence was in for this piece and what you learned / incorporated from that artist’s work.

This was a very challenging assignment (in a good way) and I spent a lot of time researching. I also started a list of 'description words' that I feel describe the type of work/art that i love -- they are scattered throughout the following images from artists that influence and inspire.

Paintings, works of the old masters:

Artist Georges Seurat


Artist Pierre-August Renoir
I'm drawn to these two artists and their paintings with light, monochromatic colors, and calming qualities.

Musical influences:

Musical artists Ingrid Michaelson and Priscilla Ahn
I love the sweet, feminine music of these two artists.

Influences by current photographers:

I just love the work of Vania and Christine who make up the photography team Simply Bloom.
I've been inspired for some time by their romantic photos, and play with light and sunflare. The photo on the left actually inspired an entire mini-shoot last spring (when I was VERY NEW to photography...and still am)...find those photos here and here.


Another photographer-obsession, Leah Zawadzki of Lily Blue.
Her images have such an ethereal, dreamy and airy feel to them. I love this style to pieces.

Current artists:

Artist Shirae
I just stumbled upon her work over at Etsy and immediately fell in love with the clean lines and simple, feminine feel of her pieces.

And my absolute favorite artist right now...

The work of artist Nevin Hirik.
I love her paintings for so many reasons... soft, muted colors,.. simple lines and just a very pure and serene quality. Loooove.

Which brings me to part 3 (if you are still following along), my interpretation of these influences.
This was difficult because a) I wanted a person in the photos and b) I wanted to use a lot of sunlight and haze... but i had neither. I didn't want to drag an unwilling subject into the cold, snowy weather. PLUS, both days I tried to shoot ended up being not-so-sunny. :(

So I improvised... here are some self-portraits with a very light, over-exposed feel and some slight post-processing that hopefully achieves the soft, airy, muted, ethereal, simple look I was going for. ;)





I actually like how those last two turned out... out of focus and all. I think it adds to the "dreamy" look. :)

Thanks for looking!