muse

zero

The muse is a constant for the artist; she is the cause for passion in the arts. Passion, then, does not readily mean affection. Passion is only a word to describe great emotion—and whether that is love or hate, is up to the artist. Both emotions are effective sources of inspiration, and are rooted in the nature of the artist's muse. The muse may be a person to be loved, to be cherished and adored. As such, the artist projects these emotions to the art, in a work of joy in cherishing love or melancholy of its fleeting. She may also be a being to despise, to resent and loathe. The art will be moved to the artist's anger or pity in the muse, whose nature as inspiration has not changed. Only the emotions they imbue.

An artist's struggle is hardly ever dictated by place or era. Yes, these contribute greatly to the nature of the work created, as culture confines and expands the pursuit of art. It is no more than a reflection of human life, of our perception of reality. But, the muse, in a way, is how the artist perceives the human condition. The muse, the subject of their love, hate, or spite, is an ample reflection of the artist's own optimism or pessimism. Their cynicism, their wonder. Their strength, their weakness, their ambition and curiosity.

The muse is divine, untouchable, yet frustratingly human.