While every single artwork I see may have some influence, it is these artistic dreamers that have been the most influential in my art side of life. I am happy to share them with you.
#4. Ryan Bliss (Digital Blasphemy)
If you haven't heard of Digital Blasphemy, it is my distinct privilege to share it with you. Forget about his incredibly awesome, intricate, complex, mind-boggling artwork and digital renderings. Once you see them, you'll be hooked.
Ryan inspired me in a different way. Back around 2000 when I discovered Digital Blasphemy, it implanted a tiny art seed within me. That seed has bloomed into a larger passion and pursuit of art today. He figured out a way he could become a full-time artist, a notion that seemed to be impossible to me at the time, but is something that seems to be more realistic each day.
I am beyond thankful every day for Ryan's inspiration and ability to get me moving toward my creative passion. He truly showed me that it was possible. Thank you Ryan.
#3. Bob Ross
He's the guy who could relieve every single ounce of stress in you just by his voice with "Joy of Painting". While I watched him wide-eyed in total disbelief, others might have fallen asleep by his calm educational painting tutorials. This man had a brilliant understanding of light and how it impacted landscapes, and this has certainly influenced my "photo paintings." I never dared to buy all the paint and brushes because my perfectionist ways might have stalled me out, but watching him deepened my understanding of light as it would certainly affect my future in photography.
Thank you Mr. Ross.
Here's a video below with his artwork from beginning to end.
#2. Trey Ratcliff
A current-day pioneer of photography, he lays his artistic soul art online for everyone to see with absolutely no fear or regret. His transparency and honesty draws you in and never lets go. Even though I began doing HDR photography before I knew what it was called, Trey has helped me solidify my HDR processing skills even though there is always more to learn.
He offers advice and guidance with nothing to gain and it has helped me over the years, that's for sure. Make sure to visit his blog at stuckincustoms.com. Yes, you'll be hooked on that one too. I sincerely hope to meet Trey some day...he sees the world as I see it.
Thank you for inspiring me Trey.
#1. Terry Redlin
This one is deep within my heart. He was the first "artist" I had ever heard of when I was a little kid. I attempted to draw a few of his paintings that hung in my parents' living room.
Terry lived in my hometown of Watertown, South Dakota, and today there is a gigantic museum devoted to his artwork. And for good reason--his artwork is immaculate and spectacular. To see his originals will absolutely blow your mind---mark my words. To think someone could PAINT in such detail is astonishing. I regret not being able to meet him, but when I see his art I somehow feel like I did, and yes, I know that sounds weird;-) I feel humbled by his work and love the fact that it is something I can visit whenever I want.
I was fortunate to be part of a private tour at his museum, the Redlin Art Center and my favorite story is something his son, Charles, shared with us:
When Charles was a kid, he was challenged by Terry to select any single point within a room they were standing in. Terry said he could draw the entire room with every detail from that perspective. Charles admittedly tried to be clever, and pointed to a duck which was mounted near the ceiling in the corner of the room. Without hesitation, Terry began drawing the room from the duck's perspective, and after a while he finished.
Terry instructed Charles to take the sketch and carry it to the top of a ladder right near the duck and compare the actual room to the sketched rendering. Charles said he was awed by how accurate the depiction was of the room from the duck's perspective...everything was perfectly accurate and in the finest detail, even though it was drawn from the opposite side of the room. Of all the artistic qualities Charles said his dad had, he said Terry's sense of perspective was unrivaled. If you go to the museum and see his art, you will understand this statement. Thank you Mr. Redlin for inspiring me and many others.
I am thankful for these and other artists out there in the creative world that inspire me and inspire others. I just hope that through my work, I can return the favor in whatever form or fashion, no matter how small.
