Iris the Art Muse, my lifelong invisible friend, became visible when I started my 30-day Drawing-a-Day challenge in February of 2014. I thought it would be nice to have a place to collect all the drawings, with links to the original post in each caption, updated as I add to the collection. I’ve recently put together a book of her adventures, and yes, they are for sale — $10 plus whatever it costs to ship wherever you are. Email me if you would like to order one.
(note: the links in the captions will take you to the original posts of each cartoon, with little stories of how they came to be. The images are in chronological order of their creation, not necessarily the order they appear in the book.)
Iris expresses consternation at my rash vow. Me: “Come on, Iris, it’s only 30 days!”
Iris doubts her own strength.
A tender moment between artist and muse.
Iris participates in Technique-of-the-Week.
The Muse never sleeps. And sometimes, neither do I.
Iris: “Hey, what about that drawing a day, huh?”
Me:”You’re not getting off so lightly, Muse — I borrowed a pencil off of our fiddler!”
Still life, with muse. Inspired by the Technique-of-the-Week where I posted a bunch of flower photos.
Sometimes the muse has to take charge.
Have you seen this muse?
Iris discovers her own strength.
Be careful how you label things in the studio. Iris is a muse who needs a lot of chocolate.
Is it possible to channel your muse’s calories?
Since we watched the Canada Day fireworks from the studio, Iris joined in. She was very excited and jumped up on the table for a better view. Mak, who has his own short comic and makes occasional cameo appearances, was curious but couldn’t see what all the hoopla was about. I think he’s nearsighted.
Iris shows her true colours.
Iris has had her consciousness raised around the issue of colour (see previous comic); she launches her campaign to put things to rights.
Iris gets her wish to be in colour; and where more appropriate place than in the garden?
Melody the Music Muse makes her first appearance, riffing on a theme begun by Iris.
As the Muse Turns — an amusing soap opera.
Iris may not apply for that garden muse job after all.
Paint Like the Wind — A Wild Ride — life with an Art Muse can be like that!
Karen Gillmore Art 
I love it! I’m still looking for my art muse (Jodie). She ran off in 2013 after I abandoned her for music. Although now my Music Muse (Prodigy) is on strike after I refused to spend the day practicing the acoustic guitar with her.:-(
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Those muses are like that! But they will hide shyly just behind you where you can’t see them, until you pick up a brush, or an instrument, and start going through the motions. Then they can’t resist. Sometimes you have to be patient and lure them out, without looking directly at them, until they’re in full sight. (I feel a muse cartoon coming on!)
Here’s an article I ran across this morning that might be relevant:
http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2014/04/21/trying-not-to-try-slingerland/
I hope you are soon back in good graces with your muses!
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Thank you. That link was most helpful. I aim for perfection too often. That what ends up killing my drawing attempts.
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This is brilliant stuff! I love your drawings. Iris 😀 She’s such a character.
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Thank you, Violet! Iris says thank you too, and says being a character builds character (whatever that means!).
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Haha, excellent 😀
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I love this comic. I so relate to it.
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Thanks, Darlene! I am right now about to go down and order some printed books of it, because a lot of artists seem to recognize their own muse in Iris!
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