Where’s My Muse?

No walk in the aMUSEment park

The ancient concept of the muse was to inspire creatives, such as poets, artists, actors, musicians, and so on to develop great work. The creative process is different for everyone. Many wait until their muse (i.e., inspiration) moves them to create something and, as a result, they create great art. Others just begin work whether or not they are inspired. 

I happen to fall into the latter category.

This post isn’t about which way of creative thinking and working is better. There’s really no “better” or “worse” when it comes to the deeply personal craft of creation.

For me, if I waited to create art or write only when I was inspired to do so, I’d get nothing done. As Nike says, I have to “just do it.” In other words, I create art whether or not I’m in the mood to create art. Some days I’m really inspired, but to tell the truth, many days I am not. This doesn’t mean I look at the craft of painting as a chore or a bitter pill to be swallowed. But sometimes before I begin a project, I am not feeling the love.

In short, I don’t have a muse.

Once I start a project – and as many people know, the difficult part with any creative endeavor is beginning in the first place – participating in art is an immense joy. No feeling quite compares to creating art, and I’m so lucky to experience it. As fun as art is, however, it is also work. Maybe that’s why I sometimes feel hesitant to draw or paint a landscape. Art takes a lot of discipline, dedication, thinking, and patience. Sometimes I lack the inner motivation to set up my materials and sit at an easel, but once the first brushstroke hits the canvas, I am hooked and soon get into flow. 

This week, I convinced myself to sit down at my easel and continue with the Castle In the Sky work. 

Getting there little by little

The castle is a little crooked, but I will eventually straighten it out with paint. By the way, my daughter made sure I knew it was crooked! 

The sky for the second draft has improved and seems to be taking on more character, though far from complete. I started preliminary shading work on the castle and used Thalo Green all around it to give the landscape a darker green base. I’m going to eventually have a lot of plant variety and nice pops of color, but right now the Thalo Green suffices. As I was applying the greenscape, I kept moving the brush in all different directions, seeing the effects of different strokes. You can see the various brushstrokes in the draft. As you look at the castle, to the right will be mostly flat, whereas the more lush areas will be on the left.

I painted only one window. I have no idea why. But that’s the beauty of art. Not knowing where I’m heading next, while knowing where I’m heading. Having a plan and simultaneously deviating from the plan. 

It’s a paradox, one that I’m lucky enough to have experienced.