Artistic Inspirations

I was inspired by a list from Death Valley Girls of some of their influences to compile my own list of artistic inspirations.

R. CRUMB

**Self-portrait by Robert Crumb. I like autobiographical art when it has a sense of humor.**

Many of Crumb's drawings are problematic to put it mildly, but I've been fascinated with his artwork since seeing some examples in Maurice Horn's “World Encyclopedia of Comics" when I was twelve. A painter friend of mine calls Crumb “a National Treasure.”

JEFFREY CATHERINE JONES

Looking at Jeffrey Catherine Jones’ artwork always inspires me. It creates in me the aspiration to draw as beautifully.

Warren Publications

**Creepy cover painting by artist Atilla Hejja.**

I discovered Warren mags Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella when I was eleven years old, finding them to be exciting and grown up. Warren in the 1970's featured great artists like Esteban Maroto and Jose Gonzalez, artists who inspire me today.

JONATHAN RICHMAN

This album has been a huge influence on me ever since hearing it in 1985.

Jonathan Richman's intense appreciation of the ordinary, combined with a soothing and visionary vibe, has greatly influenced my artwork.

ANTHONY WAICHULIS

Not only is Anthony Waichulis a phenomenal painter, but he is a generous teacher who challenges artists to push themselves toward greatness. What I have learned from Anthony has improved my drawing immeasurably.

Neville Goddard

**My portrait of Neville as a Victorian magician.**

Neville's philosophy has not only inspired me to draw numerous portraits of him, but his teachings about how to “Live from the End" showed me how to see past the limitations of my early drawings and concentrate on a vision of what my artwork could be. Mitch Horowitz’s curation and commentary are your best introduction to the man and his philosophy.

“Live in the End,” my all-time favorite lecture of Neville's.

ALAN E. COBER

**Cober's portrait of a member of “The Forgotten Society.”**

A fantastic illustrator whose style had a big impact on me. Check out Cober's book about people warehoused in institutions, “The Forgotten Society.”

ELIZABETH LAYTON

Elizabeth Layton began to draw when she was in her late sixties. She’s an inspirational figure whose spirit comes through her artwork.

B. KLIBAN

I first encountered B. Kliban's work in his book “Never Eat Anything Bigger Than Your Head,” which I discovered at the local public library when I was around twelve. I love his style and individual outlook. And, of course, his drawings of kitties.

,BEN SHAHN

**A work by Shahn that shows the social dimension of his art.**

I love both the style of his artwork, and also how his drawings almost always have a social dimension. Looking at his images always makes me want to draw.

INSPIRATIONS

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of what inspires me to create my artwork. And I hope you will check out some of these artists and that they will inspire you. Thanks to Death Valley Girls. I’ll leave you with this inspiring video:

Mystics, Cats, & Places