Collaboration

Collaboration!

I love to collaborate with other artists, models, and groups. It gives new energy to the work I do. Recently I did a photo shoot with Ron English of Popaganda – Art crimes fame! http://www.popaganda.com/.  Ron and I have a lot of ideas in common although he has them better refined than I do. This shoot gave me the opportunity to work with an artist that really has brought his work to the front stage of the American public. He just had a show in Denver for the Democratic National Convention. Ron travels all over the united states putting his work on display.

McCastle © Ron English 2008 & Diplomats & Lawyers © Bill Young - Figurative Photo 2008

Ron English’s work reaches into the lexicons of big Business, Politics, and Religion. You may not agree with the message Ron puts out in the world but, his methods are effective and most would agree very artistic. Some people say it isn’t art unless it has a message, some say art has to stir the sole, and some say art just has to be beautiful. I believe the best art does all the above.  Although I am not sure what the message was for the Mona Lisa or the statue of David? As we look at them today many find a message that reaches to their own beliefs.

Most artists don’t have the opportunity to collaborate with a great artist like Ron English but, we do have the chance to learn and progress and collaborate with other artists. Some times it is just taking a known piece of art and creating something new from it. I think we all have something to learn from the works of others. I have been working on a project that is similar to the work of Boris Vallejo – http://vallejo.ural.net/1997/ for a couple of years now. I am not looking to create the same images just something similar to the style. I have never met Boris Vallejo but I still love and learn from his work.

Teefa's Dream © Boris Vallejo 1997

If a master artist doesn’t come to town to work with you study the work of those that you do like and feel free to incorporate their work into your own. You don’t have to copy it as closely as some of the examples I am showing but, you can follow the style as you feel fit. Now get out there and create something amazing!

David by Michelangelo & Worth 1000

MonaLisa by Peg, Leonardo Da vinci, & Fernando Botero

Some people would look at the above images and say the artist just copied the originals. I would say that they are very different and at the same time the new images couldn’t have been made if the original didn’t exist. I see this as a collaboration of efforts, at the same time I should point out that a true collaboration would require that the two artists work together at the same time or at least with permission of the other artist. Who knows perhaps Leonardo & Michelangelo would have provided permission if they were alive? Then again perhaps not?

Let me know what you think! Feel free to comment on this or any of my blogs! Oh, and tell your friends about them as well!

Peace,

Bill