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Listening to your Muse
By Christy Nicholas, aka Green
Dragon, Artist
www.GreenDragonArtist.com
All of us have dreams,
inspirations, ideas, and creativity.
However, each person manifests their creativity in a different way,
using different media and unique interpretations. Everyone has a Muse.
What is a Muse? In ancient Greek Mythology, there were
nine Muses, goddesses of the arts.
Each one had a different specialty, such as Calliope for poetry, Euterpe for lyric song, or Terpsichore for dance. However, leaving mythology aside, the
modern use of the term means an individual’s inspiration; the need to
create; the need to pass on one’s vision to others.
I believe that inside
all of us is this need. Perhaps the
need stems from a desire to leave a mark on the world that will last once
we are gone. Perhaps it stems from a
need to share the beauty we see or hear in the world. But we all have it! Some of us may deny the need, or that
they have the talent required to share such a vision, but it is there. One simply needs to find their venue.
My husband insists he is
not creative, but I’ve seen him painting miniatures for 6 hours at a
time, all tiny detailed work. His
creations are beautiful – but he doesn’t think this is
art. He’s wrong! J
Now, back in school we
were given a chance to find the Muse that is unique to us. We were required to take basic art and
music classes, perhaps dance or drama.
This gave us a taste of different aspects of the art, and it was up
to us to recognize the drive, the urge, the talent. But, come on! We were in high school! We were more concerned with college
entrance exams, members of the opposite sex, and when we were getting our
first car, right?
So, what can we do about
it now? We can try things out. The internet is FULL of little articles
on how to try out different things.
Like what? Here are some
suggestions:
- Photography – with digital cameras, it’s
easier than ever to pick up ‘Photography for Dummies’ and
start making beautiful art shots.
- Painting – oil painting classes at
your local craft store costs about $20 – join one and see if you
love it!
- Sculpture – Polymer clay is cheap and
easy to play with. Sculpt
something you like, such as dragons or flowers or cats!
- Dance – There are a million styles out
there, from African drum rhythms to Irish traditional dance, and
everything in between. Find
something that speaks to your soul.
- Poetry – The cheapest habit to start,
find a beautiful spot and let the words start flowing…
- Music – we hear it every day, yet have
you ever considered creating it?
With software such as Windows Media free on most computers,
what are you waiting for?
Once you find your
chosen path, explore the side paths.
Perhaps you prefer lyric writing to poetry, or watercolor instead of
oils. I personally prefer travel
photography to flower photos, and love drawing with pencils rather than any
of the painting techniques. My
poetry tends to be in a rhyme scheme rather than free form. It all depends on what feels easiest and
best to you. That’s why we
call it YOUR Muse! J
When you decide what you
like best, have fun with it! You don’t
need to turn it into a job, but find some time each week to work on
it. This is your time to express
yourself, something as necessary to your soul’s health as eating is
to your body’s health.
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