The exceptional artist cannot be imitated because his way of thinking cannot be, and this is largely due to his changeable, adapting ways. It is the one who develops rigid methods of doing, sometimes even with the goal of being recognizable, that is easy to duplicate.

 
As with most leaders, the inimitable artist is on to new things by the time the crowd has caught up. His range of possibilities is so great, that his problem in figuring out what to do next, is not because of a lack of ideas but an overabundance of them... images fighting for first spot.

It is easy for someone, who doesn't paint very much, to appear to have a consistent style.

 

"Every painter is born somewhere, and even though he may later respond to the influences of other atmospheres, a certain essence - a certain `aroma' of his birthplace clings to his work." (46)
Marc Chagall





46. Herschel B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art, (Berkeley and L.A., Cal., University of California Press, 1968) p. 442