The Myth of Originality: Why You Don’t Need to Be Completely Unique

Ever feel like you are just copying and feel horrible about it?

Have you ever stared at your canvas (or sketchbook, or digital screen) and thought, Ugh, has this been done before? Or worse, What if I’m just copying someone else? Well, I’ve got news for you—every artist, ever, has been influenced by someone else. That’s not just okay; it’s how creativity works!

We Are Not Copy Machines (Thank Goodness!)

Somewhere along the way, artists started believing that true creativity meant plucking an idea out of thin air—completely original, never seen before, a unicorn of artistic genius. But let’s be real: we’re not living in a creative vacuum. If we were, we'd have to pretend we’ve never seen art before, never been inspired by anything, and somehow still manage to create something compelling. That’s ridiculous!

Even the greatest masters borrowed from each other. Van Gogh admired Japanese woodblock prints. Picasso studied African art. Michelangelo? Yeah, he wasn’t out there inventing anatomy—he spent years dissecting cadavers (um, dedication!) to understand the human form.

And you? You’re doing exactly what they did. You’re soaking up inspiration, processing it through your creative brain-machine, and producing something only you could make.

Your Perspective Is Original

Think about it—no one else on this planet has lived your life. No one else has your exact combination of experiences, emotions, and artistic preferences. Even if you and another artist started with the same inspiration, you’d each end up with something different.

Your brushstrokes, your composition choices, your color preferences (or your undying love for adding purple to everything—no judgment here, I fully support it)—all of these create your voice as an artist.

Try This: The Inspiration Mash-Up

Let’s prove this to yourself. Grab your sketchbook or canvas and do this exercise:

Choose three artists you admire—past or present, famous or obscure, doesn't matter.
Pinpoint what you love about their work. Is it their color palette? Their bold lines? The way they capture light?
Create a small piece inspired by all three—but through your own lens. Mash together elements you love and let them filter through your own instincts.

No pressure, no overthinking—just play! You’ll see that even when you try to take inspiration from others, it still comes out uniquely you.

You’re Already an Artist—Now Own It

Instead of stressing about originality, embrace the idea that creativity is a conversation between artists, across time and space. You’re part of that conversation. You’re learning, experimenting, and evolving. That’s what real artists do.

So, who are three artists who inspire you? Share on the FREE FB group HERE.