Do you have a Muse? Is there someone who inspires you and your art? What is a Muse? The definition says it's a guiding genius who motivates you. Do you have imaginary friends who visit you in your studio space?
The nine Greek Muses encouraged the creative process through their spiritual presence. In modern times, as you know, many famous artists and writers have claimed to have had a "Muse". In the reference below, Francine Prose explains the role of a Muse in an artist's process. Her book, The Lives of Muses: Nine women and the Artists they Inspire, covers modern day women and the men they influenced.
For instance, Dante Gabriel Rossetti's muse was his wife Elizabeth Siddal as well as other red-haired beauties. And Kiki of Montparnasse, was Muse to many men, particularly Man Ray.
And I love how one of my faves, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, credits his wife for being an inspiration, and partner in art.
And then there was Zelda, who not only influenced her husband, she was a reference for many of his writings.
Have you recognized that you have a Muse? Here's mine:
Evidence that he's been present in my work:
You may have more than one Muse. This guy is a more recent Muse of mine (but you knew that.) If you click here you can see that I got to tell him...don't listen to the voice in the foreground (that is the girl who is filming from her cellphone). Listen closely, in the first few seconds, while the other girl is talking, I say "You're my Muse", and he makes me repeat it, then he says "You're my Muse" back, and we laugh. Caught on film! Why is he my Muse? It's more than the Crush I've admitted to - it's the music, the lyrics, the aesthetic of all things that surround the band. HIM has had an affect on my attitude and my art and I'm grateful for the influence.
On your blog, tell us about your Muse, or your Imaginary friend that motivates or inspires or influences your art. (It doesn't have to be a real person, maybe it's a thing or a place.) Mention Crusade No. 14 in your post, then comment here with a link to your site. I will post the links as they come in with the newest at the top. (Archived lists become alphabetical). Anyone can play so come join us! If you would rather challenge yourself with a previous Crusade just label appropriately and explain that in your comment.
DUE DATE: Top Hat Drawing will be December 1.
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EDIT: I still hear from visitors who haven't read enough on this blog to know how I feel about music and my right to Make Some Noise. Keep in mind you are in control of your volume just as I am in control of the content here (said with love).
"Kiss of Dawn" was finally made available to add to the playlist on the left, so that player has been enabled for autoplay and is easily turned off or better yet, scroll through all the videos. Now I just gotta figure out how to widen that sidebar for better viewing.
Archived links have been moved from sidebar to here. Some links may no longer be active.
CRUSADE No. 14
- Aileen Roberts
- Amy McIntire
- Ariel Gill
- ArtKat
- Audrey Hernandez
- Belinda Schneider
- Belinda Schneider (more)
- Beverly Todd
- Bianca
- Carlene Federer
- Cath Sheard
- Charlotte Kemsley
- Chris Miser
- Deborah Everton
- Deryn Mentock
- Elizabeth Beck
- Elizabeth Bunsen
- Fiona Scharlau
- Fiona Scharlau (more)
- Griselda Tello
- Griselda Tello (more)
- Heather Bradley
- Hedwig
- Izabella
- Jan Brown
- Janine Davies
- Jo Anne Owens
- Jodi Barone
- Jodi Barone (more)
- Jodi Barone (more)
- Johanna Goisser
- Kathleen Chabot
- Kathleen Chabot (more)
- Kathy McCreedy Hall
- Laura Lee Baker
- Laurie Blau-Marshall
- Lisa Gifford
- Marble Blue
- Marble Blue (more)
- Marilyn Weyman Kegg
- Martha
- Mary Franzenburg
- Megan Warren
- Michelle Infantino
- Michelle Ward
- Monica Magness
- Monique Verbeek
- Natalie Briney
- Pam McClung
- Pam McClung (more)
- Pam McClung (more)
- Paula Long
- Peter Hollinghurst
- Pilar Pollock
- Sharon Tomlinson
- Shay
- Sid Simpson
- Sigrid Hollender
- Suzanne Renfrow
- Syanne Bleu
- Tina Shoaga
- Tina W
- Valerie Cramer
- Vexxxy
- Xanthe Walker