There’s this episode of The Sandman (S1E11) where a man is looking for inspiration to write a follow-up book to his smashingly successful debut. He’s on the hunt for a muse of some sort. His mentor is like “funny you should mention that, I have just the thing” and he shows the author this actual muse he’s had locked up in his attic (basement??) for ages. The author then steals the muse and enjoys his success in the writing world.
I wouldn’t say I’ve gone so far as to hunt down a mythical woman and lock her up in my closet (we do have Beyonce tickets for September if that counts for anything) but I have noticed that while I always have the “I should be creating *something*” feeling and I have been creating very much nothing.
So I took myself to lunch and renewed my membership to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
It was a solo adventure that would pay off in 2-3 visits and I’m sure this summer I will drag my sketchbook carrying tween when we need air-conditioned fun. BUT while I was I did feel *something*. Like “oh right this was my life before the pandemilavato.” I spent a lot of time in the photography hall. I got in that infinity box thing. I saw that Picasso and that Georgia O’Keefe and a bunch of shit I just don’t get.
Addy and I went to see Vashti Harrison and Leah Johnson talk about their books (Big and Ellie Engle Saves Herself) and Vashti did a sketch right in front of us. I might have lightly pushed Addy to share her sketchbook with Vashti. #stagemomwhispering
It felt good. Like, really good. I dusted off a Work In Progress. I sent off film to get developed, finally. I took a photo I absolutely love. I started watching a new TV show where they use flip phones and don’t mention email or social media! I bought a new pen LOL. I got new needles and yarn and aim to have a hat (or at least a cowl) by cold weather.
Arting, however you go about it, always seems like such an internal thing. You have conversations with yourself or a vision that can not be articulated to other people. But it is not a solo act. I have to remember that.
Shoutout to muses, y’all.