Tuesday, February 03, 2009

MUSE--4 little letters to get your creative blood pumping

I dedicate today to my inner muse.

My list of things-to-do has grown out of proportion. These days, I feel as though I'm in over my head. I spent a lot of time and energy yesterday being stressed out about what the next 4 weeks of my life will entail.

Have I mentioned that I have almost 30 commissions to complete in the next month? Er, um....yeah. This is for a big project that I have been promoting and preparing for since July. The pressure is on! I will say, however, that no matter how many paintings I have to do, I always give myself completely to each and every one--and I want it to stay that way.

Last night before going to bed I decided that I can either continue to be completely stressed out and make my life hell (like I did yesterday) OR I can just hand myself over to the inner muse and simply enjoy diving deeply into the work ahead. Yesterday I worked on a painting for a top model dog named Trixie. Trixie is an Italian Greyhound and probably one of the most refined looking canines I have ever painted. Her seductive expression (just wait until I'm done with that winking eye), rhinestones, and print background has been like little candy treats for my muse. The detailing is a bit obsessive, and yet that is just the sort of thing that feels good right now.

Today I will continue working on Trixie. I will stretch canvases and begin sketching out more portraits. I'm not going to worry about life's other details. For now, I'm going to simply focus on the small picture, not the big one (the big one is too overwhelming). I'm going to continue breathing and smiling and listening to music. I'm going to drink chai and paint myself into a patterned ecstasy.

Today I am inviting a friend to join me in my studio.
Her name is: My Inner Muse.

She is really happy with me for finally noticing her. The poor girl has been neglected due to my incessant stressing, migraine fighting, and running around. I didn't realize how much I missed her, but it's nice to have her back. However, just now, she has just informed me that she would like a better name. I'll let you know what we come up with. In the meantime, who is your inner muse? What is she like? And does she have a name? Tell me about her. I want to know. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if our inner muses already know one another!

These letters are part of an ongoing project:
"WORD OF THE DAY :: living life one word at a time."
Today's word is MUSE. Invite your inner muse to play!
See more letters and words at my Patch of Sky Etsy shop, here.

~

7 comments:

Rowena said...

Is it possible that our muse changes over the course of our lives?

She used to be named Ravenna and she was a wild gypsy who drank espresso in Greenwich Village garden cafes and smoked cigarettes on Brooklyn fire escapes and wrote poetry in journals that she carried with her wherever she went, from the high art museums of NYC to the deep and winding tunnels of the NY subway system where music floated through all the connections.

I don't know who my muse is right now. I no longer have time and freedom to hunt for her and give her free reign. When I thought about that past muse, I realized she is no longer here.

So who is she? Where is she?

I'm still going, so she must be here... but where?

Anonymous said...

My inner Muse's name is Olivia. I named her that when I was 17. She's calm and encouraging. She gives me just the right balance I need when I need it.

Blessed Be :)

Kate Robertson said...

I have never connected with my muse, not sure how. Whenever someone talks on their blog about it I think I wonder who my muse is or if I have one. Well I think I must have one. Any ideas on how to make that connection?

Kate

Barbara Butler McCoy said...

what a sweet post - and Trixie's portrait looks wonderful ... interesting that you discuss your muse because i just discussed mine the other day (if you're interested, shootingfromtheheart.blogspot.com)...until then i'd only thought of Her as a Voice, but when i wrote it i thought of her as a face ... and i like that face very much :) ... stay warm and have fun painting!

Amber said...

Good for you. Dive in!

:)

Michelle said...

Is there such thing as an outer muse? teehee!

Seriously though, I tend to find inspiration from people like yourself who embrace the very essence of life, and give back in the form of beautiful artwork and words! :)

I am sorry your overwhelmed, I hope your inner muse helps you!

I think you should name her "Ieke" that's Hawaiian for Jessie! :)

Thank you again for another very honest post.
ALOHA!
~Michelle

Unknown said...

Luscious painting you are working on!
I hope you will post the finished product!
Thinking of you!