Originality in Art: Lessons from Nature at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Jennifer Jones
Nov 5
3 min read

A college professor once told me there’s no such thing as a truly new idea, only new ways to apply an existing one. He even offered a $100 bill to anyone who could prove him wrong. I’ve thought about that challenge many times over the years.

While visiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science, I realized just how right he was. As I wandered past displays of early life forms and prehistoric creatures, I noticed how many of them have inspired the designs of aliens in sci-fi films or animals in Disney and Pixar movies. Everywhere I looked, I saw familiar shapes and patterns, just reimagined.

I had no idea how many kinds of shells and mollusks existed until I saw case after case of them. Some shells had spikes, others had ruffles, some were smooth, some were curled, and others twisted. They made me think of all the different underwater scenes that will be painted in my future. The sheer variety was astonishing, and it made me think that maybe originality in art isn’t about inventing something entirely new but about seeing the old with new eyes.

Shells from the Museum of Natural Science

Up close picture of the face of a boomerang-headed Amphibian

Then there was the boomerang-headed amphibian. Its head flared out like wings, wide and curved in a way that seemed both ancient and futuristic. I couldn’t help but wonder, where have we seen a creature shaped like this before? Maybe in a fantasy film, a comic book, or a dream. I can’t wait to figure out in which painting he’ll appear.

Up close you know he was a vicious little guy, but I could see this character as being the pesky little brother eager to please but still being a menace to those around him.

Boomerang Headed Amphibian from the Houston Museum of Natural History — Boomerang-headed amphibian from the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Matt went to take a seat and let me look to my heart’s content. (I think he was happy to wait for me. His dogs were barking! I never knew I’d be able to work that saying into a blog.) I slowly made my way from case to case, circling back to a few and taking another long look. I snapped a few (or a lot) of pictures because I wanted to remember all the ideas scrolling through my head. When I look at the photos again, all kinds of thoughts start running through my head. I don’t know if they’re new or repeats, but the ideas are thoughts are still flowing.

That’s what originality in art feels like to me. We borrow from nature, from memory, from something we once saw or felt, and we turn it into something that feels uniquely ours. Every brushstroke, color choice, or curve of a line has roots somewhere: in the swirl of a shell, the curve of a leaf, or the face of someone we love. Maybe the magic isn’t in creating something new, but in the way we combine what already exists to tell our own story.

Now it's your turn! If this post sparked a thought, a memory, or even a little creative spark, I’d love to hear about it. Share your own moments of inspiration in the comments below and let me know which natural wonder has made you see the world, and your art, through new eyes. Keep exploring, keep noticing, and keep making beautiful messes.

Thanks for reading The 3rd Flamingo, a blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who’s ever made a beautiful mess.