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| Photo by Johnny Delos Santos |
I do not know exactly when the Old Testament was
written.
But as early as that time, Solomon already wrote “there is
nothing new under the sun. “ ( Ecclesiastes 1:9 ) Didn’t he anticipate that
2,000 years later, the world will be filled with so many inventions ?
Maybe he did. But just like Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like An Artist, he believed that
“Every new idea is just a mashup or a remix of one or more previous ideas. “ Kleon
said in his bestselling book that our own styles are a result of our failed
attempts to copy our heroes.
“Conan O’Brien has talked about how comedians try to emulate
their heroes, fall short, and end up doing their own thing, Johnny Carson tried
to be Jack Benny but ended up Johnny Carson. David Letterman tried to copy
Johnny Carson but ended up being David Letterman. And Conan O’Brien tried to be
David Letterman but ended up Conan O’Brien. “
Kleon also noted “Kobe Bryant has admitted that all of his
moves on the court were stolen from watching tapes of his heroes. But
initially, when Bryant stole a lot of those moves, he realized he couldn’t
completely pull them off because he didn’t have the same body types as the guys
he was thieving from. He had to adapt the moves to make them his own. “
“Stealing” from your heroes is not the same as plagiarizing
other people’s work. In plagiarism, you reproduce something exactly like the
original and claim it to be your own. To “steal” like an artist, you just get
the inspiration and then create your original. Perhaps, you make your idol “enter
your spirit” while you do your thing.
Kleon wrote “ Don’t just steal the style, steal the thinking
behind the style. You don’t want to look like your heroes, you want to see like
your heroes. “
Don’t worry, you will not become an exact replica. Your own
style will emerge because no two individuals are exactly alike.
In the book The
Element, Sir Ken Robinson quoted Paul McCartney who narrated how he and
John Lennon started on their journey to greatness. McCartney said “we were just
copying and imitating everyone. I was Little Richard and Elvis. John was Jerry
Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry. I was Phil from Everly Brothers and John was Don. We
just imitated other people and taught each other.”
Roger Von Oech wrote this book that I now consider to be
my Bible on creativity. It’s entitled A
Whack on the Side of the Head. He taught that one of the techniques to
stretch your imagination is to imagine how great people would do your work. For
example, how would Walt Disney run a school if he was the principal ?
When I was a young advertising copywriter, my work partner Mario
Monteagudo was well-known for his own style. But to come up with more ideas, he
revealed to me that he imagined how five legendary advertising men would write
the copy or approach the art direction. So, he always had at least six great
ways to respond to one job order.
Mario won Ad of the Year awards for many years in
succession, earned the Lifetime Achievement Award and is considered by many as
one of the best ever in the profession.
My idols in painting and illustration are Henri Matisse and
Ken Done. I tried to imitate their art before my own style evolved in time for
my two art exhibits. Today when I admire other people’s work, I feel recharged
and excited to paint again because I know new styles and techniques to steal from.
No person was born already equipped with the ability to
speak. We all learn by copying. I think that to be able to find our own genius,
we have to admit to ourselves that there is so much to learn ( and copy ) from people
greater than us, those who came before us and even those still alongside us.
Former American President Woodrow Wilson said “ I not only
use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow. “
If you have concerns about your job or if you wish to
suggest a topic, you may email me at rglabayen@gmail.com
I would assume that you’re giving me permission to
publish your email ( if chosen) and my reply. Your identity will not be
disclosed.
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