Everyone always thinks that Picasso is my greatest influence.  Picasso is definitely one of my heroes; there's absolutely no doubt about that!  However, in terms of my style of art, Matisse has actually had an even a greater influence. The greatest lesson I learned from Mattise was to celebrate art and never stop being curious and showing this in having fun creating art with child-like curiosity.  Matisse taught me that it was "okay to paint like a child!"  That has been an invaluable lesson for me as an artist.  Matisse was also such a master of design that he inspired me to become a designer and promote my work as graphic art like he did.  I would not be a designer were it not for Matisse!  Matisse designed books, posters, magazines, and he showed me that art could be made in ways that people could enjoy at home as reproductions.  Shown in photo is my own favorite Matisse Art Mug design!

 

Who does not have their favorite art mug at home? Next I will give two examples of how Matisse has inspired me as a designer in making my own art mug series.