In my creative work I tend to consciously steer away from any obvious references to other artists work. I am never really comfortable with doing fan art or similar stuff.

source: wikimedia commons
I work it and work it, combine it with other references or inspirations until I am satisfied that it is no longer obvious where my inspiration comes from.
I dont know whyI feel that urge. It is probably a form of vanity , in that I want it to be my own work entirely.
Despite my best effort, when I revisit old work I sometimes see that my carefully hidden inspirations are all too obvious.
One of these instances , and one that I am not particualrly embarassed about is the images of John Bauer. Above is my absolute favourite "Ännu sitter Tuvstarr kvar och ser ner i vatnett" which tranlates to "Still Tuvstarr sits gazing into the water" .
Bauer was a Swedish artist and illustrator who lived from 1882 to 1918 . Read more here He is very well known in sweden and as a small kid (1-5 years old) I lived in sweden.
Reproductions of his paintings was everywhere and I grew up with them. I particularly remember the one above and then this one :

source: wikimedia commons
In my recent work I have actually done something fairly close to a piece of fan art, or at least an homage to John Bauers image which is called "God kväll Farbror hälsade pojken" which roughly translates to "good evening Uncle , the boy said"
In sweden the term Farbror (which literally means brother of my father) is used when talking to any man older than oneself, I suppose as a show of respect or something.
John Bauer made a lot of images of trolls and children with a sombre swedish forest backdrop. I am totally in love with his toned down colours and his polite monsters.
Anyways my homage was a miniature. Now available at Shapeways here.. It is not very like bauers troll but if you see them side by side it is quite obvious , I think, where i have the inspiration from.
It is made the usual way, and I will probably make a post about the process

Im EvilHippie, a compulsive creative and jack o' trades. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction post here

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