I’m going to tell you a secret, although it’s really only a secret if you don’t know me.
My favorite thing in the world to do isn’t create. Gasp, I know! It’s read. I have stacks upon stacks of books all throughout my home and even in my studio. I’m a devoted patron of my local secondhand bookstore. I keep the Kindle app on my phone, browse Libby for new titles to borrow, then hop over to Kindle Unlimited to devour the latest from my favorite indie authors.
But what I read often finds its way into my art. Stories are the gift that keeps on giving, and that’s really the point of this post.
Earlier this year, I discovered a supernatural speakeasy cozy mystery series. If you’re familiar with indie cozy mysteries, you might know they often include recipes in the back of the book. This particular series centers on a witchy bar owner in New Orleans, so naturally the author includes cocktail recipes, several of which call for absinthe.
Absinthe fascinates me. A libation, if there ever were one. It’s a vibrant green, tastes of nature, requires a special spoon and preparation, and carries a rich lore that makes it endlessly interesting. Have you seen Eurotrip? If not, please do. Moulin Rouge, too.
I found myself explaining all of this to my brother on Thanksgiving. He knew very little about absinthe, so I happily gave him a brief history lesson on The Green Fairy.
A few days later, I finished another book in the series, again with absinthe cocktails tucked into the back pages. The theme was taking root in my mind. Around the same time, I was in a bit of a flow state in my studio. Before I realized it, I was blending elements of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with green accents and subtle nods to fairies.
I already had several line art portraits of women, but it was the addition of Primavera Muse that made everything click. Suddenly, it felt like a true collection. If I’m being honest, I’m going to have a hard time parting with her. Putting a spotlight on her here might make that happen sooner rather than later, but I wanted to share how my process often unfolds:
My love of reading led me to absinthe recipes. My imagination tangled green fairies with Shakespeare. And the recurring thread of femininity in my work opened the door for one of my strongest muses.
I hope that whoever gives her a home loves her as much as I do.