…believin’…hold on to that feelin’! Okay, I didn’t actually mean to quote a Journey song, but it just came to mind as I typed – perhaps I love Glee a bit too much 
What I wanted to say does follow suit though…just don’t stop – period. How many times have you given up on your own excitement, inspiration or seemingly wacky idea? I came upon this today, looking at some old matroyshka mini canvas paintings I never finished. I suddenly wanted to draw them and make a zillion variations of these little chubby doll ladies.
I know it’s probably been done before. These matroyshka dolls were all in trend and they were drawn, painted, collage and sewn probably a million times over. I found myself thinking that it’s been done, so I have to skip over it. But then I thought…what?! Nothing is original, right? Why should I personally miss out, just because someone else did it already. I mean, I can explore the topic myself and probably get a lot out of the experience. Let’s not rain on our own parades…don’t stop!
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24 Comments
I struggle with the same thing, thinking “oh, it’s been done before, i’m not original.
” But we need to get past that thinking because we have our own style, right? and perhaps our version of something might end up being, dare i say it?… the best or better than the rest? 
We have to try or else we will never know what could have been… I think it is possible, I believe! oh yes… and I love your matroyshka dolls! I see your style in them and that makes them original! 
Fabulous words of wisdom, Gretchen! I totally know what you mean and yes…things can always get better…or cooler or funnier. Never know! But definitely, it would be unique… so go for it
Thanks for your comment!
I never care about the originality of the subject, if I like it I will draw it and that’s that!
Now that you’ve got me thinking I might draw some matroyshka myself with perhaps few bad tattoos on them or maybe with punk hairstyle? Hmmmm……
hi Veronika! thanks for chiming in – I agree! don’t let anything stop you from doing what you feel, I say! go for it!
A good reminder. If I truly felt that way, I would never take another photo of Venice or Burano – I mean, they’ve been done a gazillion times before! But I can’t stop myself, they are my images, what I see and love about the place.
Well said! I do the same with photos too…haha! That’s MY photo of the leaning tower of Pisa
Great reminder of keeping on at things that we love. It seems the more I create, the more I flourish and I am taking advantage of my creations by giving more and more onto the world. I think it helps to keep a balance in all things, as I tend to easily pour my energy into things I enjoy too quickly, thus leaving other things on hold, and so forth as you know. Just today I created a blog dedicated to my Arts & Crafts, to keep my love for arts and my journey in one organised section. It can be found at:
http://crafting-insights.blogspot.com/
I added you to my blogroll, as I enjoy visiting your site and you are an inspiration.
I love your matroyshka dolls! They are so cute, and am happy that you got the chance to just feel like pouring out a ‘zillion variation’ of these dolls. That is truly a great combination of love of creation and outburst of energy at that moment in time, to just pour out your love for creation in the moment. I trust you are enjoying this timeless experiences, with such exhilarating vibrations of happiness.
Hi Ana! Oh thanks for stopping by and your words push me forward! I will indulge in the experience for sure
You can always put your own perspective on an old idea, thus making it new and all your own. All we creative types gain inspiration from each other, and then go off in our own direction so good for you for exploring this one.
Thanks so much, Terri. I agree that we cannot be afraid to stand on the shoulders of giants…meaning… everything has been started by someone, somewhere… but that doesn’t mean we can’t contribute and explore ourselves!
Ha, before I read your post, just reading the title, I was singing the Journey song, too!
You’re right. There’s no reason you can’t do something just because someone else already has. I tend to resist trends just because I don’t want to be trendy, and then I realize, “Um, maybe I’m really the only one who’s losing because I’m missing out on the fun!”
Have fun with the round little ladies.
Haha…I’m not the only one who loves Journey! Seriously I had a great concert experience in relation to that sone…hehe. So I totally relate what you said about resisting trends. It’s like, you don’t want to seem like it’s just mindlessly following what’s in style…but you are right that sometimes these rigid rules just make us miss out. Hey, break the rules and don’t stop!
New slogan!
Hi Linda!!
carmen here, sorry i haven’t been commenting, however I have been visiting my fave blogs, just a little busy. I keep saying “must make the time” but time runs like water thru my fingers : ). Been enjoying your posts. Great job, absolutely LOVE all your leather journals.
Hi Carmen! Oh don’t worry about it! I know life can get sooo busy at times. Oh and I think I’m getting better and better at making journals and exploring new methods and techniques…it’s so fun and looking at all that I’ve created so far, so proud of myself too. Yay! Thanks for your comments!
I love your little matroyshka’s, they are so sweet
I think I love Glee a little too much as well 
It may be true that nothing is original anymore, but no one is the same and no one draws exactly like you, so if you haven’t done it before, then it is original!
Thanks so much Katie! I agree that no one can do it exactly like you.. it’s the unique perspective we all have. Very cool – I will definitely go for it!
Yes for singing journey:)
it is like everyone else seems to be saying, an on going battle i fight the same feeling like “oh no it has already been done” but we can’t let that stop us can we, because no one can really ever do the same exact thing if it is truly coming from them. you keep proving that!
you are so right…that even when I try to duplicate something of my own, it turns out different! It’s a unique experience every time
Loving the canvasses! VEry creative and fun. AS you say there’s nothing that is truly original out there anymore but hey! We are each an original and we each have our own ‘take’ on a subject so our personal originality is what makes our art different from anyone elses even when it is of the same subject or done in a similar style. Keep creating! And never stop just because you think it has been ‘done before’– Cheers! Stephanie CED
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for your comments, it’s always nice to hear from peers and have all of us cheering each other on. I don’t know why we need the permission, but it helps!
Oh I love those.
And I know this feeling very well.
Thanks again for the lovely package. I love the leatherbook and your postcards are sooo cute!
Hi Sarah – Oh yay! Glad you liked the leather journal I made – enjoy! Hope to share more of my drawings and art, now that I’m feeling better about doing whatever I feel like
Amen! Well said! Those canvases are adorable! I’ve also recently come to the conclusion that I’m just gonna do what I love doin’ too. It’s so easy to get hung up on what everyone else is doing, isn’t it? Cheers to you for making your mark.
Thanks so much…so true that we have to go back to the original intent – do what we love!