In college, I studied Economics, but I had the fortune of hanging out around many studio art professors. This exposed me to one too many quotes about art; including one of my favorites “I’d rather die from passion than boredom” by Vincent Van Gogh (full disclousure: I first learned this quote when it was taped up on a wall in an art classroom).

When I first heard the following quote, I was in the middle of a long pose during a modeling session. The quote is often credited to Picasso; but I learned it from Professor Jerry Auten when he shared it with the class; “Great artists borrow, great artists steal”.

As an artist, this spoke to me because I know what it's like to be afraid to make things that are too similar to what others have done. So in the past, I'd be afraid to do things that I had seen before--so I'd end up not doing anything about my desire to create after finding something that talked to me.

I call this feeling creative paralysis; similar to what fear of failure does to us.

I have become better about this as I have developed my creative license.

Instead of letting this feeling paralyze me, I use it to fuel my work and inspire me to be the very best and to polish my skills and use the resources available to me as well as I can.

If you like something, reflect on it, imitate it, break it down, and then build it up the way you want to.

Not to get too philosophical, but to create you also need to destroy. Get comfortable with this.

If this is not art, then I do not know what is.

I've found we often overlook our capacity to create. We are quick to assume that our ideas are not unique and that others are already thinking the same thing that we are thinking.

Trust me this is not the case. What inspires me might be the same thing that makes you fall asleep.

Trust yourself, let go of negative thoughts of not wanting to do something because it scares you to think you might be copying someone else. Own your ideas and be proud of them. Revisit them as often as you want.

It is natural to look at others for inspiration, we are social animals. If you don't get inspired by the work of others, then how are you supposed to learn? It'd be unfair to you.

But always acknowledge the influences in your work; this shows mastery and respect.

When you find inspiration, take note. Don’t be afraid to use previous ideas from people or things that inspire you and alter them to reflect your aesthetic and your artistic vision. Invest yourself fully in your pursuit.

Trust the magic around you. Trust that you can create beauty. Use your creative license to build and destroy.