Inspiration

My main inspiration comes from this man right here. David Mann.

To me, this man did something that had never been done before, and if it had, nobody did it like him.  He was a painter/illustrator and his style has been compared to those of Normal Rockwell paintings(another favorite artist I love and admire).

He painted motorcycles.  Plain and simple.  Thats not all he painted, but that is what he is most known for.  Motorcycles and the life and culture that comes along with them. He painted stories of peoples lives that made even people not involved with the motorcycle community - understand.

He got connected with one of the biggest motorcycle/chopper magazines in the industry; 'Eazyriders;' and people looked forward to his entries whenever a new issue was released.  To me, that was genius.  Paint what you like, paint what you know, and then show them to half the world by putting them in a magazine that is for the same general target audience that you are painting for.  Inspiring.

I wouldn't say that Dave was the best painter in the world, not by far, but he was good at what he painted and he painted what he loved and he stuck to it.  I know that I am not the best painter in the world.  I couldn't even begin to aspire to be the best painter in the world.  I think that is why it is hard for me to focus on one medium or interest.  Someone has already done it, and someone has already done it better than you ever could. I can do a lot of things well, but I am a master of none.  What makes it even worse is that I dont necessarily want to be a master.  I mean, if I was, then great, but if not... I just want to make sure I am not wasting my time or talent - because I do believe I have talent (if only a pinky finger full)

So really when I say he is my inspiration, I am not saying he is the best of the best artists in the world, but he combined 2 things he was good at, and those 2 things made him an icon.   My style of painting and things that I like are very different than those of Dave Mann.  Perhaps one day, my style of art and my paintings can bring joy and influence to others, as much as he has done for me, because what is art...without letting the world see it?