Exploring Art 37: Does your muse have adhd?

Hello friends. I am here to discuss a serious problem.

Adhd in Muses.

You see, this is something that rarely goes diagnosed, much less treated, but it is a situation we all know. You are there, working hard. Your muse is leaning over your shoulder offering words of encouragement, and then... suddenly..

"Yes, yes that's looking wonderful, just a line to the left no-SHINEY! TENTACLES! BUTTERFLIES! WE SHOULD SCULPT! I KNOW I KNOW CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFT FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAM! HEY YOU HAVENT DONE OIL PAINTING EVER, WE SHOULD START NOW! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

There you sit, gazing in wide eyed startlement as your once refined, elegant inspiration flings itself in a frenzy around the room leaving a trail of art supplies in it's wake. We've all been there, but I am here to say.. you are not alone. There is help.

The first step is to contain the muse. This may not be easily done, but I have found constructing a cage of colored pencils that have been taped together with artist's duck tape works wonders on holding them in. The important part is the bait. Make sure to place a half finished project that clearly needs some TLC into the back of the cage. Once the muse is there, drop the door and you have a trapped muse!

Unfortunately, there are dangers to this course of action. We recently discovered that Muses are telepathic. If they are caged for too long, they will begin to beam the adhd of inspiration directly into your cranium, causing it to eventually combust from artistic pressure. It's very important at this stage of the capture that you do these steps very, very, very carefully.

Organize what the muse wants done first. Prioritize. They can be patient if they see you are working on their thoughts.

Then sit down and begin working one project at a time until you have drained the muse of the swell of ideas and concepts that have driven it mad.

It is a lifelong process, but hopefully with time and the support of your friends, you too can have a muse that is sane and elegant once more.

(Disclaimer: Jessica Douglas and The Mushroom Peddler are not licensed muse therapists and so none of these treatments should replace seeking the advice of a real doctor or scientist. Maybe both. If your muse is visible to others there may be some serious cash in there for you... cut me in too? )