--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had to create an equivalent for what I…" description: "\"I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at - not copy it.\" — Georgia O'Keeffe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/georgia-o-keeffe-2763_about_i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i_3083354.png" --- # I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I… ![“I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at - not copy it.” quote by Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/georgia-o-keeffe-2763_about_i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i_3083354.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/georgia-o-keeffe-2763_about_i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i_3083354.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/georgia-o-keeffe-2763_about_i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i_3083354.png) > “I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at - not copy it.” [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creating an original representation of an emotion rather than copying existing forms encourages authentic artistic expression. **In simple terms:** Make original work from feelings, not copies. Key Takeaway Prioritize authenticity in creation. Themes creativity authenticity art Mood introspective inspirational Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - art class - design project - personal journaling Key Concepts originality expression inspiration Questions to Reflect On - What emotions drive your creative process? - How can you balance inspiration and imitation? A Different Perspective Originality can be limited by skill or resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) ## Related quotes > [I long ago came to the conclusion that even if I could put down accurately the thing I saw and enjoyed, it would not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-long-ago-came-to-the-conclusion-that-even-if-i-could-put-down/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [She watched the prairies the rivers, the towns slipping past at an untouchable distance below - and she noted that the sense of detachment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/she-watched-the-prairies-the-rivers-the-towns-slipping-past-at-an/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“...His gaze seemed to say what I felt: looking at you eases everything inside of me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-laurens/his-gaze-seemed-to-say-what-i-felt-looking-at-you-eases-everything/) [Jennifer Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-laurens/) > [“Every time Wallander stepped into someone's home, he felt as though he were looking at the front cover of a book that he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/every-time-wallander-stepped-into-someone-s-home-he-felt-as-though-he/) [Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/) > [“She could remember feeling that disorienting first rush of love, as bright and light as if no one else had ever felt it, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-dillon/she-could-remember-feeling-that-disorienting-first-rush-of-love-as/) [Lucy Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-dillon/) > [“Maybe I felt something because I'm always looking for feelings. Without them, I don't know how to act.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-bowman/maybe-i-felt-something-because-i-m-always-looking-for-feelings/) [Erin Bowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-bowman/) > [“A student once walked into the office of Harvard Dean LeBaron Russell Briggs and said he hadn't done his assignment because he hadn't felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebaron-russell-briggs/a-student-once-walked-into-the-office-of-harvard-dean-lebaron-russell/) LeBaron Russell Briggs > [I was so absolutely riveted, I felt I was looking into the eyes of the artist. Art just closed the gap of time and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-churcher/i-was-so-absolutely-riveted-i-felt-i-was-looking-into-the-eyes-of-the/) Betty Churcher > [“have you ever “felt” someone looking at you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-vickers/have-you-ever-felt-someone-looking-at-you/) [Lee Vickers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-vickers/) > [Take notes. Everything is copy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/take-notes-everything-is-copy/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [If the headline is a good one, it is a relatively simple matter to write the copy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-caples/if-the-headline-is-a-good-one-it-is-a-relatively-simple-matter-to/) [John Caples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-caples/) > [When something original works, then everyone wants to copy it. But if you're trying to do something that no one's ever seen before it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-carter/when-something-original-works-then-everyone-wants-to-copy-it-but-if/) [Chris Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-carter/) > [We are all born originals, why is it so many of us die copies?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/we-are-all-born-originals-why-is-it-so-many-of-us-die-copies/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [A presentation copy...is a copy of a book whoch does not sell, sent you by the author, with his foolish autograph at the beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/a-presentation-copy-is-a-copy-of-a-book-whoch-does-not-sell-sent-you/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [We call ourselves creators and we just copy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/we-call-ourselves-creators-and-we-just-copy/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) ## More by Georgia O'Keeffe > [Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. Since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/singing-has-always-seemed-to-me-the-most-perfect-means-of-expression/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [When I think of death, I only regret that I will not be able to see this beautiful country anymore unless the Indians are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/when-i-think-of-death-i-only-regret-that-i-will-not-be-able-to-see/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [Sometimes I start in a very realistic fashion, and as I go on from one painting to another of the same kind, it becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/sometimes-i-start-in-a-very-realistic-fashion-and-as-i-go-on-from-one/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [I have a single track mind. I work on an idea for a long time. It's like getting acquainted with a person, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-have-a-single-track-mind-i-work-on-an-idea-for-a-long-time-it-s/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [You get whatever accomplishment you are willing to declare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/you-get-whatever-accomplishment-you-are-willing-to-declare/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [“I said to myself 'I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me--shapes and idea so near to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-said-to-myself-i-have-things-in-my-head-that-are-not-like-what/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [I'd been taught to paint like other people, and I thought, what's the use? I couldn't do any better than they, or even as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-d-been-taught-to-paint-like-other-people-and-i-thought-what-s-the/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [I believe an artist is the last person in the world who can afford to be affected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-believe-an-artist-is-the-last-person-in-the-world-who-can-afford-to/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [My first memory is of the brightness of light ... light all around. I was sitting among pillows on a quilt on the ground…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/my-first-memory-is-of-the-brightness-of-light-light-all-around-i-was/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [Before I put brush to canvas, I question, 'Is this mine? ...Is it influenced by some idea which I have acquired from some man?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/before-i-put-brush-to-canvas-i-question-is-this-mine-is-it-influenced/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [I decided to start anew-to strip away what I had been taught, to accept as true my own thinking. This was one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-decided-to-start-anew-to-strip-away-what-i-had-been-taught-to/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [“I decided I was a very stupid fool not to at least paint as I wanted to ... I found that I could say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-decided-i-was-a-very-stupid-fool-not-to-at-least-paint-as-i-wanted/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [My painting is what I have to give back to the world for what the world gives to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/my-painting-is-what-i-have-to-give-back-to-the-world-for-what-the/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [He wanted head and hands and arms on a pillow - in many different positions. 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As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' 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I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) Browse all 26,122 About quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at - not copy it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Georgia O'Keeffe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i-felt-about-what-i-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i-felt-about-what-i-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/georgia-o-keeffe-2763_about_i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i_3083354.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/georgia-o-keeffe-2763_about_i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i_3083354.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/500/georgia-o-keeffe-2763_about_i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i_3083354.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at - not copy it.” — Georgia O'Keeffe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Georgia O'Keeffe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I had to create an equivalent...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i-felt-about-what-i-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/i-had-to-create-an-equivalent-for-what-i-felt-about-what-i-was/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```