Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Pondering On My Muse: What Inspires

It's been a very long time since I have posted here. All my focus was shifted to my Positive Warfare facebook page, because... well, mostly because my life has gotten chaotic since I began working two jobs over a year ago, and facebook is more convenient. I have found that I just don't have the energy or time for pursuits of writing and art work anymore. However, today I was prompted by The Narrator's Study to introduce my muse... specifically, to write about what inspires me.

Hmmm, well... I have never stopped to consider what exactly inspires me to write or paint. I know what inspires me to share at Positive Warfare: my struggle with depression and anxiety, but what is it that prompts my artistic side to write, draw, paint, etc?  That's a very good question.

Admittedly, sometimes it is to ward off depression; my artistic pursuits have always been great therapy. Rarely do I use art to express the darkness that haunts me. Isn't that usually what art therapy is... putting your troubles on paper or canvas and getting them out of your system? Well, I don't.

Instead of putting fears and icky darkness into my work, I opt to create positive, pretty things. My artistic pursuits enable me to focus on the positive and get my mind off the negative. However, I do admit, that on very rare occasions, I have in fact chosen to portray the dark ugliness in my work, but those gloomy pursuits are extremely scarce. I have found that the more positive endeavors have better results, all the way around.

Other times, it's a photo in a fashion magazine, a painting I see while I'm out and about, or browsing crafts on Pinterest, that trigger the need to do something creative; sometimes, it's sheer boredom and the desire to do something fun and whimsical; then there are the times I paint (or craft) with the sole intention of creating a gift for someone.

On rare occasions, a dream will provoke an artsy whim; however, those dream inspired notions usually end in frustration, because I can't seem to create what was in my dream;  the image is never as clear after I awake, turning my foggy memories of my dream into a mocking taunt; it's extremely maddening. I've learned to dismiss such trickery.

So, back to my Muse... I've come to the conclusion that my Muse is totally random.

 Inspired by my cat, Tigger

 Inspired by a fashion magazine photo

 Inspired by Autism Awareness

 Changing Woman, inspired by a Goddess Revolutionaries project

 Just for fun

One of my rare darker projects

Inspired by a Goddess Revolutionaries project

Inspired by a photo of a friend

So, now I ask YOU. What is your Muse? 
What inspires YOU?

9 comments:

  1. Love you art and the positivity that comes with it!

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  2. Love your ART! Nice to meet you! I love finding time to be creative, it's tricky, but I do punish those who keep me from MY chosen world!
    xDebi

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    1. Hello Debi, happy to meet you as well :) It IS so hard finding the time! It's pretty rare that I'm actually able to indulge my Muse these days. I hope she forgives me.

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    2. Hello Debi, happy to meet you as well :) It IS so hard finding the time! It's pretty rare that I'm actually able to indulge my Muse these days. I hope she forgives me.

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  3. Reba....your muse must be extremely powerful to pull you from dark thoughts into light and whimsy! thank you for sharing so openly :D XXX

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    1. I never thought of my Muse as powerful, but I think you are right Gina! I am so grateful for my Muse and her ability to save me from the dark.

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    2. I never thought of my Muse as powerful, but I think you are right Gina! I am so grateful for my Muse and her ability to save me from the dark.

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