Mary Cassatt's quote, 'I hated conventional art – I began to live,' encapsulates the struggle and triumph of a woman who fought against the norms of her time to find her own path in the art world. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Cassatt did not simply reject the past but found inspiration in the works of artists like Manet, Courbet, and Degas. Their influence allowed her to experiment with new techniques, such as Japanese-inspired printmaking, and apply them to her unique subject matter – women and domestic life.

This approach to art highlights the importance of both influence and independence. While it's tempting to see Cassatt's breakthrough as a rejection of tradition, it was actually a recognition of the point at which influence becomes your own. The challenge lies not in ignoring others but in absorbing their work and making it your own. This can be seen in today's digital age, where artists are bombarded with influences from all directions, yet struggle to find their authentic voice.

Cassatt's journey is a reminder that true freedom in art comes from understanding and embracing the past, rather than completely breaking away from it. It's about finding the artists who challenge you and push you to see the world in new ways. For Cassatt, this meant applying Japanese-inspired techniques to her subjects, which gave her the freedom to explore new artistic territories. This process of transformation and self-discovery is what makes her quote so relevant to contemporary artists.

The lesson for us today is that we should not be afraid to be influenced, but to take those influences and infuse them with our own unique perspective. This is the path to true creativity, where the art we make is a reflection of our own experiences and visions.