Over at the Sketchbook Challenge Blog, I put up a little bit about how I go about making things my own style, even when in another's workshop or class. When I teach a workshop, I never get upset if someone makes a piece of art that looks like mine. It's only natural that when learning a new technique it will resemble the piece that inspired it. BUT you don't want to get stuck there, making derivative work. The goal is to move forward! Jump in and make it your own. I fully expect my students to do this once they are comfortable with the techniques. It's my DESIRE that you master the technique I teach, and take it further! I want you to be successful and move beyond where you started when you were in my workshop! It's not acceptable to make 50 that look just like mine, and sell them, or teach the class I worked so hard to create (Even if you change the name). PLEASE!~ Change it up, adapt it to the way you work, and add your own special ZING to the mix. My zing is layers and pattern overload. I will somehow find a way to add texture and pattern and layers, no matter what medium I am enjoying. In fact, my favorite PART of a new technique is always getting it back to the studio and playing around with it, and discovering what works with it, and what doesn't!
Jump in to the unknown, learn, enjoy and own your art!
