Despite the inherent difficulty of creating a response to another artist ’ s work , there were a number of benefits that occurred . Artists reported a high level of experimentation with unfamiliar styles , techniques , and colors . They were forced to work in a manner that required more contemplation and study , as opposed to relying on their typical intuitive approach and current body of work . Cultivating other styles of approaching work resulted in a freeing up of working style and the development of a sense of adventurousness . Artist Donna Hamil Talman ’ s described her experience in the following manner :
I felt intrigued from the moment I received Three Party System , which addresses how badly our political parties relate . I frequently worry about the parties ' inability to compromise and the negative implications of this paralysis , yet I have never addressed any political issue directly in my art . I felt exhilarated creating People Power . It was freeing to tackle an issue of such profound importance directly . Through the work I also felt a sense of contribution to the larger world , which I sometimes struggle to feel when creating art .
Initiated by VA de Pintor , FusedChicago ( left ), Three Party System , encaustic and oil on panel , 14 x 14 inches , 2013 ; Completed by Donna Hamil Talman , New England WAX ( right ), People Power , encaustic and hardware on panel , 14 x 14 inches , 2014