Throughout my studies I have researched, viewed and analysed the work of other artists in order to contextualise my own work. I have also taken opportunities to attend workshops and learn from other felt artists whom I admire.
But what did I learn from them?
Sometimes workshops can be overwhelming.
Usually I take away 3 main things from a workshop.
I ask myself
• how does their approach fit in with what I do?
• How could I use a newly learned technique to extend my current practice?
• Does it solve a problem or enable me to get over an hurdle that has been challenging me?
What it boils down to is - how can I internalise and make it my own ?
Or – are we just too different?
All artists develop their own approaches, methods and technique – this is what makes our work unique and personal to us. We take inspiration from everything around us, including other artists, whether through workshops, published literature or online articles on Facebook or Pinterest. This is not is not stealing or copying as long as we make it our own.
I believe it is important to give credit to a person who has shared their own ways of working and ideas and respect others who do not wish their methods to be passed on without their permission.
By Andrea Diggle