Lately I've been discussing how to thrive as a creative artist by connecting with different things. I thought it might be helpful to begin this article with some distinctions.
Inner Artist - A Part of Ourselves
As I've discussed before, the Inner Artist is that part of ourselves that has been untouched by our experiences, trials, tribulations or creative roadblocks. It is infinitely creative and joyful in everything that it does.
Spirit - All Around Us, All of Us, Every One of Us
ANY time we connect, we're also connected with Spirit. And I use the word Spirit to also refer to God, the Universe, Higher Power, something that connects us all, no matter how unique we are. While our personal definition of Spirit is unique, when we connect with that Spirit it immediately connects us with something outside of ourselves.
Muse - Outside of Ourselves
And that brings us to today's topic: the Muse, and how to connect with yours.
The word muse stems from the 9 muses of Greek mythology, who were responsible for inspiring creative artists and helping them remember their works (since in those days they didn't write them down). The Greek muses were also responsible for protecting history by singing about the great heroes and events of the day.
The muse is something that's outside of yourself, which provides inspiration and helps you get your creative work done.
I like that definition ? because with that definition I get to be a muse! And I certainly am honored when I get to fulfill that role for my clients.
To have a connection with your muse you need to be tuned in to your inner voices. This is because a muse (even in the form of a coach) will not dictate, "Draw it this way", "Use this word", or "Here's the winning chord progression".
So, connecting to your muse is really a three-fold process.
1. Finding a muse (or muses ? many artists have several sources of inspiration)
Your muse is unique to you, and so are the ways you can best tune in to it. You might be able to name your muse(s) immediately, or you might need to explore a bit. You might:
This could be a person you can spend time with, a place you can visit or look at photos of, an activity you can do more of or a personal environment you can create in your creative workspace. If your muse is someone you don't know personally, like another artist you admire, this could be spending time in the presence of their work.
3. Spending time in creative contemplation and expression
Allow whatever the muse has evoked to be expressed through your creative medium(s). Here's where tuning back in to your inner voice comes in. Whatever you've taken in from your external source of inspiration still needs to be filtered through your unique lens of skills, experiences, opinions, ideas and sensations. Otherwise you'd simply be reproducing exactly what you've seen or heard.
PUT IT INTO PLAY
It's time to make another date with your Inner Artist ? only this time you're in search of your muse. Block off some time for simply noticing what inspires you ? if you can't help but rush home and write, draw, build, photograph, compose or otherwise create something, well, call it a happy bonus of this exercise.
MUSE MINDING FOR THE BUSY CREATIVE ARTIST
What if you don't have time to go traipsing all over the city to the spots where you find inspiration? What if your creativity has a deadline? What if you have a busy life that involves other people's schedules?
Here are two possible solutions:
Make sure that your creative workspace evokes your muse. Find objects, words and/or photos that capture the essence of your muse and place them prominently in your creative workspace. Move them around every month or so, so you don't stop noticing them.
Be open to spontaneous sightings. When you're rushing around from place to place, worrying about what you did yesterday or dreading what you need to do tomorrow, there's not much time or space for the muse to get your attention. Experiment with slowing down occasionally and checking in ? my muse has been talking to me a lot in the car (as long as I leave the radio off!), and also really likes to chat with me when I'm in the shower (no kidding ? and I've heard that water evokes inspiration for others ? how about you?).
So, what is it about water?
Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong. - Lao-Tzu (600 B.C.)
My muse whispers to me through water, if I yield to it and bend my resistance.
(c) Copyright 2005, Linda Dessau.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. Feel like your creativity is blocked? Sign-up for your complimentary copy of the popular e-course, "Roadblocks to Creativity" by visiting http://www.genuinecoaching.com
Bring to mind a time when you decided that you... Read More
Back in 1983, I was hired to teach English in... Read More
When you think about the legacies Walt Disney left us,... Read More
If your to-do list seems as long at the end... Read More
Attribute listing is one of the best ways to generate... Read More
After studying scores of great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci,... Read More
What's the biggest problem with memory tricks? Remembering to use... Read More
After many years of performing as a vocalist, I switched... Read More
Can you be an artist while you're washing the dishes?In... Read More
Lately I've been discussing how to thrive as a creative... Read More
Everyone's a poet.Of course, everyone's a critic, too! This means... Read More
I have had more than my share of exciting times... Read More
You can move beyond your stuck states by contemplating all... Read More
Once you are ready to start working again you will... Read More
You're stepping onto the stage, amidst opening night flurry and... Read More
When stressed or blocked it is wise to make a... Read More
Creativity for the mystic has special meaning. In the world... Read More
I am trying to create a discipline where I blog... Read More
Clutter is one of my favourite topics, and I've written... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Let me repeat what I believe is the most powerful... Read More
From time immemorial mankind has wished for an Aladin's lamp,... Read More
Time is the great equalizer. Everybody has the exact same... Read More
Creativity alone can make you money and no matter what... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
efore thinking about how to be more creative, let me... Read More
The word 'creativity' has so many diverse meanings and interpretations.... Read More
"For the love a' creation!", my father was fond of... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could just flick a... Read More
Go on, pick up a pen, hold it in your... Read More
Something I have always found helpful is taking affirmative action... Read More
Can we codify creativity? Within these few words are a... Read More
After studying scores of great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci,... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
The key to making time for art is the ability... Read More
A legacy is more than a gift that lives on... Read More
Some years ago, when the world seemed to close in... Read More
Contrary to common perception, creativity can be made tangible, measurable... Read More
These days it's all about breaking things down into manageable... Read More
Ouch! Whether it's feedback we've asked for, an unsolicited remark... Read More
Modern science tells us that on a sub-atomic level --... Read More
Deadlines are something all of us face from time to... Read More
Did you know that winning actually puts less wear and... Read More
Have you ever thought of this? When you were young... Read More
Learning a few good problem solving techniques can improve your... Read More
Channeling is much easier to do than most people suspect.... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
For the past several years, I have found joy working... Read More
Lately I've been discussing how to thrive as a creative... Read More
There is a pervasive belief that creativity and innovation are... Read More
1. To be more comfortable in performance situations ? performance... Read More
"The challenges are not in the marketplace. They are in... Read More
I used to be a jazz singer. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Effective team structure is critical when managing creativity and creative... Read More
We're born creative. However, this innate characteristic becomes buried as... Read More
I have had more than my share of exciting times... Read More
Experience has shown that creative visualization works. It is quite... Read More
We all have enormous reserves of mental capacity that we... Read More
Creativity is your birthright ? but can often be hidden... Read More
Bare attention (to objects, people and circumstances) is what brings... Read More
Do you consider yourself creative? How about super creative? Most... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Creativity for the mystic has special meaning. In the world... Read More
Creativity |