I must say that your post did not sit well with me. In my interpretation of your post, you seem to be implying that I simply copied his work.
I was thinking about it last night as I was falling asleep. I kept thinking “Was James McNabb more than just an inspiration”, and the conclusion I came up with is still the same. He remains an “inspiration” or perhaps the better word is an “influence”.
The idea of the circular city is one that has been with me for a long time. I remember sketches that I made in high-school that explore that idea. I probably still have some if I dig in old boxes enough. It is not my idea to begin with, I’m sure. I’ve seen it many times in different places. Just google something like “circular city”, and I’m sure you’ll see examples.
I’ve also always been obsessed with skyscrapers and buildings. I spent way too much time on http://skyscraperpage.com/, and I have a huge pinterest board of just building pictures.
The idea of combining laser-cutting and buildings came from this image:
.I’d love to know who the original artist is. I found it on pinterest without a working link.
That one launched me into making laser-cut art. I eventually progressed to having buildings in my designs (like my turtle city Making The Cut: Laser Cut "Turtle City" art piece finished.), and came back to the idea of the circular city. I was designing mine when I saw James McNabb’s image (the one from my previous post). I remember looking at it for about 1/2 hour. I loved how he had different size buildings, and I definitely took that idea for my city.
I also remember being impressed that his buildings were all made with traditional woodworking techniques, and thinking that mine is being designed and cut with a laser-cutter. I would be able to make much more intricate shapes. I believe that was the extent of his influence on me. I admired his work for about 1/2 hour at the time that I was designing mine.
I agree that I ended up with a piece that looks very similar to what James McNabb created at first glance. They are both circular cities with many buildings made out of wood. But the similarities end there. They are very different once you look closely.
Perhaps I should have given a nod to James McNabb in the original post, but I would also have to give a nod to many other artists that have influenced me (including all the architects that I’ve admired over the years). His was a small piece in the whole picture.
I don’t know why your post did not agree with me, or why I feel like I need to explain the background of my work to you. But now you know a little more. I think in the future when one sees two artists that have similar styles, one should not just assume that one copied off the other. They perhaps have similar influences in their lives.
I’m not saying that’s the assumption you made about me, since I can’t read your mind. It’s simply how your post came off to me.