Psssst c’mere. I’ve got sumptin to tell ya. Earth shaking sumptin. Life altering even.
Are you ready? OK then–here goes–
The muse doesn’t give a rat’s patootie if you’ve got an art degree or not. And an MFA–phffft—that’s not on her must have-to-have-to be-an-artist check list.
No sir/m’am.
What the Muse wants, really wants, even more than an art degree is this:
She wants you to SHOW UP.
Yeah, really. That’s it. Just show up and do the work.
All you need are the basics–mark making tools and something to make marks on. Preferably not spray paint and public walls but hey, don’t tell that to Banksy.
But…but I’m not ready!
Oh. Yes. You. Are.
So here’s the secret–you may not feel ready but y’know what? You’re never gonna feel ready. There’s always laundry to do. Or dishes the sink. Social media distractions. And that best selling Who Dunnit that’s been calling your name ever since you bought it six weeks ago, the one that’s collecting dust on your nightstand but you suddenly NEED to read it RIGHT NOW!
You don’t need to feel inspired. You don’t need to feel talented. You don’t even need to feel particularly emotionally stable.
And you sure as heck don’t need permission! Although I’ll give you permission if you really want it.
You just need to start.
Move. Make some marks. Make a mess.
There, that’s it!
Because action invites inspiration. Not the other way around. You get those hands dirty, you start making a mess–maybe put on some tunes, dance around a little bit while you’re flinging paint making those marks and the muse will show up. Maybe not right away and definitely not if you’re actively trying to lure her.
But once you get out of your own head, stop thinking all the oughts & shoulds and start doing—BAM! She’ll be there.
She never can resist a party.
🌀 This Week’s Prompt:
Start before you feel ready.
Pick one color. One tool. One mark. Set a timer for 10 minutes and go. No pausing, no thinking. When time’s up either keep going ’cause you found your groove. Or start again ’cause you’re getting there. Or walk away because you showed up, made the effort and did something.
It’s all good!
‘Til next week-
Hi Ya,
LOVE THIS!!! Yes, indeed.
A question, Susan – can you tell me about the Piece you have in email that has ‘ Go to The Studio and Make Art”- the
what , where , how – is it recent from ‘up there’ ? I
find it incredibly involving, inviting and pulls you in.
Cheers – to change and the muse (yours will always be a feisty one 😉
XO Andrea B
Hello Andrea! The piece in the email isn’t new, I sold it last year. It was small, probably 10×10. I’m glad you find it interesting because I suspect I’m going to revisit the boat theme–actually, I’ve never really stopped! I’ve always been drawn to boats, be they real or symbolic. I see ships every day out on the strait and I’ve begun tracking them with an app so I know what they are, where they’re from and where they’re going. Just because… As I’m writing this the sky is clear where we are at about 1,000 feet but I hear ships talking to each other so I don’t even have to go outside to know the fog is heavy on the water.
I’m so so happy here!