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opiumtraum — Beetle- orig. art for Across..
Published: 2008-01-14 16:16:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 1907; Favourites: 55; Downloads: 1
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Description
original mixed media drawing/collage of beetle for[link]
airbrush, acrylics, color pencil, photo copy and translucent paper
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Comments: 26
Thanks for the comments on my various beetles...they are very muck appreciated!
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I've seen the website where the guy makes these insects with the clock parts.I am assuming thats where you got the idea for your paintings..very nice!
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actually...I was looking at watch parts & got the idea...then, looking for beetle references, I found the sculptor who does the beetles you're referring to. From there, I wasn't sure whether to continue (the idea was originally conceived, but somebody else had beaten me to it). I decided the over-all imagery was different enough...scarabs I've done since (except for Nachtjager) have moved away from the clockwork interiors just because of this debate...
...what do you do when you get an idea, then discover somebody beat you to it? Is it any less original? Dunno... I mean, how many artists on this site draw dragons?
and...thank you.
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lol..I know..i hate that..it has happened to me a few times..it's harder and harder to come up with an original concept nowadays...and i dont know if i can stand to look at many more dragons, lol.
it really doesnt make it any less original to continue with an idea, even though someone has already done it..ideas should be shared and built upon.
As for my artistic views on this..I have worked very hard to make sure that 99% of my works are one of a kind..and how I've done this is to not watch movies,read books,receive training,or look at other artists works..this way there can be no comparison.
so far it has worked..and after three and a half decades of doing art no one has been able to show me anything that resembles my art..I live a sheltered life..so my works are generally based on dreams and visions.
occasionally my kids have me look at a part of a movie to design something for them..but they want me to make it different and bizarre, lol.
but, as i said, even though i have kept myself limited to what exposure i have to other influences, i think some things are universal, and its almost impossible to escape doing doing something that is similar to other peoples works..many of us artists are influenced by the same things and so the results may be parallel.
I hope that made sense..but you know, the thing i look for is quality and attention to detail..and there is no doubt that you do extremely quality work..and i dont say it often, but I was impressed by your diverse ideas and creations
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Ah, thank you for the compliment. We are polar opposites in our approach to art. I'm an image junkie. I'm constantly pouring through art books (I have a pretty large library), dA, art blogs for imagery. I love movies, & I like shows with wicked writing (my current obsession is "Trueblood")- Not so much to steal, but sometimes I'll see something that triggers an idea, usually it's totally independent of what the image I was looking at was about, but I also learn a little more about technique...& yes, I will steal a little...an approach here, a motif there. All that crap goes into the blender of my mind, & hopefully what comes out is original. If not THAT original, I make sure I credit the artist who is so obviously inspiring that particular image.
There was a time, before college, that art was a very spontaneous thing for me. Now there's definitely work in artwork- I pretty much drag imagery out kicking & screaming (OK, that's an exaggeration), but it ain't easy any more. That's for sure.
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I understand that fully.
I suppose i do use influences, upon thinking about it..but mostly from childhood experiences of seeing the really neat plate and wood engravings in the old encyclopedias and reference material, also a style seen on our paper money..i just love minute details that most people skim over or never even think about..and still find myself fascinated with the tiniest of organisms.
I also have great love of nature..and its quite possible that i mentally file away things i find bizarre and interesting for later nocturnal transmissions..the things I love include insects[and have thousands of specimens], dinosaurs, reptiles, and deep sea life..there is so many amazing and hard to beleive creatures on our earth, and I can see reflections of this type of imagery in some of my works...although i feel i can never in a million years match mother natures perfection in design and form.
I would love to be able to watch movies and things but suffer horrible from attention deficit disorders, and cant sit still long enough to enjoy a film.
theres nothing wrong with taking from what we see or love..and i think your approach is a more practical and productive one..I think its interesting to learn how others get their inspirations for their art, as i know i am a bit unconventional.
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would make an unique tattoo for the back between the shoulder blades!
You need to find someone that is writng a nature book.
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I was inspired by a friend's daughter who said she liked the Beatles (thought I'd make a mix, which of course needed a cover...) & a series was born.
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yo! thanks for the kind words. you're stuff is bad ass! i dig this beetle. they're beautiful creatures. might have to draw some in the near future. i'm diggin the clockwork.
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thank you. I've got one more to post...and maybe one more in mind....
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Looks good online! 
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