How Do You Respond To The Greatest Work Ever Made?

I saw some of the greatest works of art EVER produced over the weekend at the Chicago Art Institute and decided that the only thing i could really expect to do after such an experience was throw up a tribute.

It's an interesting feeling, as an artist. You are inspired, you want to work, but you want to be careful not to simply chase an aesthetic from the pieces you see. You want to make sure you simply aren't trying to remake a masterpiece. The desire to work needs to be kept in check to a degree, so that you aren't just imitating greatness, but really letting the experience sink in...to let yourself mull over the images, to analyze what you just saw, and then work from inspiration.

I love museums and looking at great work, but while it absolutely inspires, it also presents a challenge to a young artist. How do you handle referencing great artists or their work in your own piece? How do you remain true to your own vision, while also embracing the direct influence of a masterpiece? How do you make sure it's worthy?

I don't think you need to know the answers to these...but I also don't think you simply say "I'm gonna do a piece like this." and call it even....

So, following the Picasso's and Matisse's, Miro's, Twombly's, Pollock's, De Koonings, Rothko's, Monet's, Van Gogh's, Gauguin's, Dali's...and yes, even the Seurat, I took a day break, let all the amazing imagery settle in and eventually began work on two pieces inspired by the greatest artists from the last 120 years....

The Greatest

They Walked the Land and Burned the Fields

Explanations to come.