Melting Doll : Origins

Whenever I read a graphic novel I find visually appealing, it's hard for me to get the art out of my head. Sometimes it is very clear as to which book it is, just by how drastically my style seems to suddenly change.
But I think it's safe to say that every artist who has established a distinct type of style has established such through the inspiration of others'. I've seen a lot of online discussions/forums where people say that it is actually beneficial to mimic another's technique, as long as they have no intention of taking full credit for it, and are willing to derive and develop as an individual artist.

I myself have lots of different inspirations, and am in no way afraid to admit to it. Sometimes I use the same ideas/techniques I've been using since I was nine years old, no joke:
I still make very round, wide, and sometimes squarish heads. (2004)
I am still shakey with shoulders, arms, and torsos. (2004)
My love for drawing legs and bare feet (2008) still overshadow my delight in drawing hair (2005).
Color is still my absolute weakest point (2006). So many drawings, thrown in the trash because of my obliteration of crappy coloring jobs (2006) , whether it be paint, marker, colored pencil, or pastel. Digital colors are the only colors I've found myself to be atleast somewhat consistent with, but still weak (2008).

Despite having so much to learn, and feeling old knowing it, I feel it appropriate to acknowledge those who have inspired me most over the past five years, helping me establish what I draw today.
Mike Krahulik, artist of Penny Arcade.
Vera Brosgol.
Jen Wang.
Clio Chiang.
Andrew Hussie (and Cindy Marie, "betelgeuse").
Chris Eliopoulos.
Kazu Kibuishi, editor of Flight.
Bryan Lee O'Malley.
Alexandria Neonakis.
Craig Thompson.
Cyril Pedrosa.

If you take the time to see their art, it isn't hard to find them seeping through mine. It is also interesting to see what catches my eye most, are those that show similarities to the classic Disney art legend, Mary Blair.
She would most definitely be my top "What dead person do you wish you could have dinner with?", aside from Cornelius Swarthout, who patented the first U.S. waffle iron.

But enough of my babble. It's time to mourn the ending of my paid vacation with The Office.