Plagiarism and Appropriation in Art

The Paradox of Originality

Guest lecturer Kyle Novak traced appropriation by artists from cubist collages and Picasso’s works that borrowed from African art. Kyle cited works of Richard Hamilton acclaimed for the earliest “pop art”; Roy Lichtenstein who appropriated images from comic books and ads, often cropping and enlarging to create stunning compositions. Andy Warhol is noted for his creative use of photo silkscreens.
Post-modernist Sherrie Levine tried to give new perspective to existing works; Cindy Sherman placed herself in a series of appropriated photos. Richard Prince blatantly copied photos from Instagram posts and works of others. Richard Prince has been involved in numerous copyright lawsuits for his obvious plagiarism.

So what’s an artist to do about this paradox of originality?..

KYLE NOVAK

“Continue to create things that celebrate what’s been done before or focus on ideas that are brand new? I think the answer is both. The way you become original is through imitation to some degree. When starting out as a creator your work is going to largely reflect the ideas of your influences. That’s how you find your voice. The more you make things, the more your voice will become a collection of those influences and start to feel UNIQUE.”

OneBlood Exhibit – March-May 2019

Article and Photos Contributed by Deb Janssen, OneBlood Exhibit chairperson.

The March art show at OneBlood had eight art pieces submitted for display by four artists. The theme was “Sea Green”. The staff and patients continue to express their appreciation of the beautiful art that the Ocala Art Group shares during each show. This show will be on display until May 1st. These artists have shared art during this show – see photos:
Joyce Cusick: “Withlacoochee Cattails” and “Withlacoochee Ibis”
Heather Doherty: “Earth’s Rhythm” and “Le Vieux Lilies”
Debbie Orrison Janssen: “Jellyfish Bloom”, “Japanese Iris” and “Turtle Life”
Barbara Fife: “Seminole Falls”.

  • WITHLACOOCHEE CATTAILS
  • WITHLACOOCHEE IBIS
  • LE VIEUX LILLIES
  • EARTH’S RHYTHM
  • JELLYFISH BLOOM
  • JAPANESE IRIS
  • TURTLE LIFE
  • SEMINOLE FALLS

Milly Sheffer Demonstration

Milly Sheffer Still-Life oil Painting with a palette knife
Milly Sheffer-

Milly Sheffer’s love of the creative process and oil painting shines through in her teaching and her paintings. OAG members and guests at the monthly meeting on Feb 13 followed intently Milly’s demonstration “Still-Life Start-to-Finish” as she selected cherished pieces to compose a still life arrangement. That done, Milly brushed lively colors on a canvas, then loosely sketched a birds-eye view of the scene on the primed surface. Preparations finished, Milly selected a flexible palette knife and dark oil pigments to form the shapes, working dark to light, thin application of darks to heavier texture on lights. Many in the audience registered for Milly’s workshop at the Appleton on March 14. Milly is also offering a series of open Monday morning sessions at Brick City Center for the Arts, starting Feb 18. Wonderful opportunities to develop your talent, explore a new technique, and find joy in painting with a palette knife!

  • Milly’s Painting at End of her Demonstration
  • Milly Sheffer – The Finished Painting
Milly Sheffer bio and other information

The Ocala Art Group

The Ocala Art Group was established in Ocala in 1950, making our organization the oldest of its kind in Central Florida. The artists have come and gone through the years, but the quality of the work and the enthusiasm of our members insure that the arts remain alive and healthy, no matter the economic climate.

The Ocala Art Group is a not-for-profit educational corporation and our membership is open to all who share an interest in developing and promoting fine art. We provide programs, demonstrations and workshops that appeal to every art enthusiast and we sponsor at least four art shows a year with all member participation.

OneBlood Exhibit Jan-Feb 2019

Article and Photos Contributed by Deb Janssen, OneBlood Exhibit chairperson

The January show at OneBlood had seven art pieces submitted for display by four artists. The staff and patients continue to express their appreciation of the beautiful art that the Ocala Art Group shares during each show. These artists have shared art during this show – see photos:

  • Barbara Fife
  • Deb Janssen
  • Deb Janssen
  • Marian Savage
  • Sue Primeau
  • Sue Primeau
Sue Primeau


Barbara Fife– “1934 Ford Truck”
Debbie Orrison Janssen – “Tea House” and “Red Pitcher”
Sue Primeau- “Red Velvet”, “Just Picked” and “Head of the Table”
Marion Savage– “Before and After“

Curtis Arnett Demonstration

“Highwaymen” Artist, Curtis Arnett, to Speak: 

         The Ocala Art Group (OAG) is hosting a lecture by acclaimed artist Curtis Arnett, one of the original “Highwaymen”.  Arnett is one of the youngest of 26 African-American artists who traveled the highways of I-95 and A1A decades ago, who later came to be called The Highwaymen, selling their Florida landscape paintings that are widely sought today.  Many of these paintings are on public display in banks, office buildings and private homes throughout Florida and the United States.

         The lecture will be on Wednesday, November 8, 2018 from 11:00 am to 01:00 pm at the Appleton Museum of Art’s Auditorium, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470.  You won’t want to miss this program that will include a history of Mr. Arnett’s life, his journey as one of the Florida Highwaymen and a demonstration of his art.

         This program will undoubtedly excite and inspire artists as well as art enthusiasts.  The program is free to OAG members and Appleton Museum of Art members, or you may join prior to the program. 

Photos of Curtis Arnett’s Demonstration at the Appleton