The Eclipse, Vampires, and Energy.
There was an eclipse on Monday this week seen across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. I was lucky enough to get to watch it. Even though I had seen eclipses before, I was never at a place where it was 100% and in the shadow of the moon. Our home was fortunate enough to be on the path of totality, and it was an amazing experience that I will never forget.
Vampires
Many of you know that I have an overactive imagination, which fuels my illustrations and drawings. I say this to set up the trail of imagination and “logic” that follows.
The band Vampire Weekend released a new album last week titled 'Only God Was Above Us.’ I started listening to it over the weekend, and originally no vampires came to mind. However, consciously or unconsciously, their band name must have played into my thoughts a few hours before the eclipse. The day felt a bit like a holiday for many people along the path of totality, with even some schools taking the day off.
I wondered who might want to celebrate this new eclipse holiday the most, taking advantage of the magical moment when day changes to night. Yep, you have probably guessed already, vampires. It is probably evident in my illustrations that my world view skews towards happiness and fun, so of course the vampires in my mind are having a parade to celebrate a rare space where they can join us in the daytime.
Energy
We are not done with our vampire tale just yet. My brain would not let go of drawing an analogy between the battle that many artists face around creative energy and vampires. The common mythology about vampires states that they drain their victims of their vital essence, usually personified as blood.
Typically, a vampire would be an external force seeking to assail artists and steal their work and livelihood. There are plenty of these types of vampires in the world at the moment, with the newest variation being AI (artificial intelligence). There is a far worse vampire for creatives. It is ourselves.
There are so many external forces fighting against artists and creatives that we can become our own worst enemies. We have great ideas, but we are afraid to start them, or worse, we start and do not finish (I'm pointing a finger at myself here.). It is easier to fight external criticism and doubts than the person we see in the mirror. Did you see what I did there? The legends say that vampires cannot be seen in the mirror, so we never realize that we are the ones draining our own energy.
Vampires are good at hiding in the shadows and attacking in the dark, just like our doubts and negativity. Remember that, just like during the eclipse, our doubt is only temporary and the sun will return. Seek out the light and help you need in order to believe in yourself. The best way I have found to get through creative doubt is to take action and finish my artwork.
I’m sending you all light and love. Be kind to yourself on your creative journey.
I’m not back to my routine of publishing on Monday again this week, but I’m still sending out a newsletter every week.
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