Jason O’Connell Artist

Today I worked on a commission for a nurse. It’s a copy of a painting by Dr Seuss. My last commission was another copy, a painting by James Tissot called The Visitation. I seem to be attracted to work “real artists” aren’t supposed to do.

Why would someone want to paint a copy? In my mind I see copying to be at the core of what we do. We start our work with a picture or a vision in mind and although that vision may change as the work progresses, we are still trying to match our work to another picture, whether it is mental or not if it is mental. Our ability to paint that match is strongly connected to our success as artists.

“Don’t paint barns, roosters or paintings just because they’ll sell.” That’s not really a quote, but you find rules like this “quote.” I believe your work is your signature. If your paintings are unique in the sense that they show your work ethic and your personal vision of the world then you are living beyond the rules. It’s okay to sell these things if they are sincerely true to your inner vision.