2.16.2012 More notes on the mythical muse:

I consider the muse as a kind of force, like the force of gravity or weak nuclear forces.

The muse is a make-believe force that tries to push around my daily goings-on. If my emotions are too noisy, she gets blocked.

Some forces that counteract the muse: family responsibilities, ego, desire, social status, hunger, boredom, email, facebook, netflix, etc. Any vision of success scares the muse. She demands all the attention.

Whatever art gets made is marked with the forces that created it. The muse will let other forces carry the load if they are stronger. She only appears when welcome. Her signs are obvious to the careful observer. You can see her in artwork that resonates, pieces that are congruent in form and content, equal in motivation and presentation, or balanced in intention and reception. Those pieces reveal the gentle pressure of the muse.

One of the hardest studio tasks is waiting for non-muse forces to dissipate; making room for her to be present.
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