Lowell Art Works Presents:
“The Breasts of the Northwest III: Oh-Nine!"
November 21st – December 20th, 2009
at Lowell Art Works in Everett, WA
Salu-ta-ta-tations!
The time has come 'round again for the draperies to drop, the shirts to be shed, and the double D's to be displayed! Proudly! Persecution- and prosecution-free!
The Breasts of the Northwest III: Oh-Nine!
I could wax poetic here and sing you the saga of the beleaguered bosom, but I shall leave that to the blogosphere and the media, where the poor dears' tale has endured debate and discussion the likes of few other features of the feminine form. And alas, I do mean only feminine, as apparently these are especially incendiary.
“Revered, underrated, over-covered, decorated, worshipped, resented, cherished, twisted, admired. They arouse, nurture, aggravate, comfort, inspire. They cause joy, heartache, backache, desire, obsession, fantasy, bankruptcy, embarrassment, confusion, pride. They’re controversial. They’re irresistible. They’re dangerous and harmless. They’re constant companions, old friends, and a pain in the ass for tummy sleepers. Everybody’s born with ‘em, though more than half are destined to remain purely decorative. To what do I refer, you ask? I speak, of course, of the incomprehensible breast.”
We shall once again celebrate the focus of our fancies, and this year with extra support (and foam) for the female front! Decaf, half-caf, with whip or without, our own beautiful bits or a buddy's, we will honor the aesthetic so tragically treated and scandalously stifled.
What: Opening Party for "The Breasts of the Northwest III: Oh-Nine!"
Where: Lowell Art Works, 5205 S. 2nd Ave., Everett, WA 98203
When: Saturday, November 21st, 4-9 PM
(Concurrently with the sideshow:
"Puff: The Art, Allure and Agony of the Smoking Culture")
Text courtesy of Lowell Art Works! Some proceeds from sales go to breast cancer research.
Some of my students' work from my Candy Tin Assemblage class that took place last night. These photos show various stages of progress throughout the evening. My students were mostly teachers (middle and high school), and artists. I felt like I was in very good company. Teaching this class was a very rewarding experience!
The Muse of love, art, cash, strategy, worship, desire, wellness, beauty, business plans.
Don't you adore her? Do you...adore her? Actively? Adore.
Muses simply must be adored. They're as grandiose as they are generous. They like to be respected. If you meet them half way, they'll give you the moon, the breakthrough concept, the stroke of...genius. Dis' your muse and she's likely to stop dropping by. She's righteous. Genius is like that.
As Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) puts it in her freshly legendary TED Talk, we've made "a huge error in believing that creative genius comes from the Self," rather than a greater source outside of us. Can you hear the Muses saying, "Yeah baby. Got that right. You say it sister."
There are a zillion starry ideas floating in the milky way and they need you as much as you need them. Genius is looking for a vehicle. You gotta pimp your ride.
HOW TO DO RIGHT BY THE MUSE
1. Drop everything when she shows up.
In an interview with Neil Young, Charlie Rose asks Neil about following his muse. (You won't hear this in the clip below.)
Charlie: "So if you get an idea at say, a dinner party, if you hear a tune or a lyric, do you excuse yourself form the party?"
Neil: "Of course. You never know when she'll (The Muse) come again. I'm responsible to her."
When you feel an idea comin' on, excuse yourself. Pull over to the side of the road. Get lost in the creative flow. Be late. Barge in. (Eccentricity makes Muses especially horny.)
2. Have your tools ready.
Master-writer Anne Lamott, keeps 3×4 white note cards and pens in every purse and drawer and vehicle to capture thoughts that float out as quickly as they float in. If I leave home without my kraft Moleskine and blue medium point PaperMate pens, I feel discombobulated, like I might miss my train. Keep a notepad by your night stand. Leave yourself a voice mail. Don't assume that the best ideas will come back to you.
3. Go looking for her.
You know where she likes to party: the art gallery, by the lake, on your morning run, when the stereo is cranked and the lights are low, in the stillness of a church or forest, when you first wake up. Set the stage and chances are she'll take to it.
4. Engage her.
She's busy, for sure, but The Muse LOVES it when you actually play with her. When she drops an idea in your bucket you can ask her what the hell she's thinking. You can ask her what chapter should come next, or where to look for funding. She could yammer 'til dawn and before you know it, you've mapped out your magnum opus.
5. Do what she tells you to do.
Ignore your muse at your own peril. She doesn't always have it right, or maybe we don't always hear her clearly, but the more you heed her wisdom, the faster you get to drive on the Creative Awesomeness Highway. You and The Muse in the diamond lane. Godspeed.
All text in this post is Copyright Danielle LaPorte.
"An apple a day..."
Altered by hand using alcohol inks, bleach and sandpaper. To see the proper cropping (as it was meant to be), just click on the photo!
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