Don’t be a copycat.
I teach quite a bit.
And every now and then, a student will ask, “Aren’t you afraid of copycats?”
My answer is simple: No.
No one else has my vision.
I can teach the same techniques, but it’s your voice and vision that make your artwork uniquely yours.
Recently, I completed Robin Rice’s course Training Your Inner Warrior, where she describes the three levels of being a student:
Shu – Hold
You follow the teacher completely. Not because she knows everything, but because she knows more than you in this moment. You trust her methods to help you build a foundation.
Ha – Break
You still follow the rules, but now you understand them well enough to push the boundaries. You explore, experiment, and seek guidance as needed.
Ri – Leave
You step into your own mastery. You’re no longer dependent on your teacher—you forge your own path, with your own voice.
Every artist goes through these phases. And yes, in the beginning, it’s natural to echo someone else’s work. We all draw inspiration from somewhere.
But artist and educator Megan Auman explains it perfectly:
“Taking in inspiration is the key to creative energy, much like food is essential for life… Take in a diverse and nutrient rich blend of ingredients and it becomes easier to create a unique and distinctive body of work. Fail to do so, and the result is mediocre products that look like so much of what already exists. Garbage in, garbage out.”
In other words—inspiration should evolve into interpretation, not imitation.
The wider and richer the inspiration you take in, the faster you move beyond the copycat stage and into your authentic creative voice.
Aim for Ri—your own mastery. This stage is where your work finally becomes an extension of your true self. It’s vulnerable, yes. It’s scary, yes. But it’s also where your most meaningful art is born.
Be true to your creative voice.
Be courageous.
Be original.
Always strive for Ri—in life and in art.
If you’re ready to develop your unique style and master the fundamentals of encaustic photography, start here:
👉 https://photoencaustic.com/encaustic-photography/
Would love to hear your thoughts on using other artists work as your inspiration.
Be well….be creative,
“Stive for the Ri in your life”…I love that! Thanks for sharing this Clare!
Thanks Dianne……it really resonated with me when I first saw it. Love the tuplip image that you just completed!!
Lots of insight and wisdom in this post. I love the stages of growth, from inspiration to creative output that is truly personal. Thank you. I will remember this always.
That is one of the best compliments…..that you will remember this always. Thank you Larry.