New Inspiration, New Paintings.

"Antique Bicycle #3 

© J Licsko 09   4"x4" oil on canvas

"Antique Bicycle

 #2 © J Licsko 09  4"x4" oil on canvas

Sometimes the muse comes in the form of an external event.  

I am fortunate to be juried into a new open studios facility called Studios on the Park. Our studios are opening for the first time the day the Amgen Cycling Tour passes through our lovely Paso Robles here in Central Coast California.  The population will more than double this Thursday and everyone is excited.  Many of the "studio" artists responded to the invitation to paint bicycle inspired works to honor our visitors.

 I have painted several miniatures only 4 inches square and I will show them here over the next few days. The pleasure and lessons learned from doing these paintings came from following my Attracting the Muse rule #7, say yes.

A Lesson From My Muse

"Illustrated Woman"  ©JLicsko 07, 5"x7" oil on canvas

Vicki and I would have been wise to use better judgement when we rowed her small boat out to meet a group of young Canadian Navy seamen sun tanning on a float not too far off the shore. We were innocent but curious 15 year-olds .  One very handsome young man had little twin devils tattooed one each pectoral muscle.  His image eventually faded away, but the little devils are indelibly inked on my mind.

As tattoos have become more and more mainstream (4o % of people between the ages of 26 and 40 have tattoos - Tattoofinder.com) I have been fascinated to watch growing numbers of people who use their bodies as canvas, expressing themselves through ink.  

My muse, Hillary, with her arms bared, walked in front of me on her way into a video rental store last summer. Concerned with the possibility that the tattooed may look at the non- tattooed with a similar contempt that they often feel directed towards them, I followed her into the store. I gave her my card assuring her I was a legitimate artist, promising that I would present her in the most positive manner.  She was difficult to catch, as muses can be.  I was excited to begin the painting, but several months passed before she called. 

Hilary is a young woman with a busy life.  I took as many photos of her as she had time for but the location and lack of natural light produced very few usable images. We talked about rescheduling but after a couple of months, I started with what I had. 

This painting became an example of two muses working together. The muse incarnate, Hilary, and my internal muse who manipulated circumstances to force this painting to manifest. Sometimes, when the work of art you have in your mind does not come together, it could be that if you will allow another to come through it may be very satisfying.

My high energy friend Vicki was destined for stardom and in her adult life is Canada's favorite talk show host Vicki Gabereau.

The Reluctant Muse

"Portrait" © J. Licsko 01, 

14"x20" oil on linen

This painting, I have always said, is unfinished.  I wanted to add more detail to the hair.  This portrait of a young woman is the first painting that was inspired by the sight of the model. She was a true muse in the physical sense, my first, that I was conscious of.  I saw her while I was standing at a checkout counter.

My inner voice said "She would make a beautiful painting".  I try to respect other's privacy, and it is difficult for me to ask a stranger for anything. This time, I ran after her. She seemed rather aloof and distrusting as she should be.  Probably most young women, have had men approach and tell them they should be a model.  Knowing that, I wrote my name and phone number on a piece of paper and asked her to please call me if she was willing.

A few days later, she was in my studio. She brought a friend for safety and perhaps a little moral support.  The afternoon I took photographs of her was the last time I saw her. I called her to tell her the painting was almost finished.  She expressed little interest in seeing it, and she never has.

I now know the painting is finished. It is what it is. A portrait that is the essence of Anna, my first muse.