Memento Vivi - 'Muse Emma'

Muses gladly bring inspiration to artists, poets & philosophers. In the Greek Mythology they were the daugthers of Supreme God Zeus & the Titan Mnemosyne {memory}, with whom he spent 9 succesive passionate nights.
In 2003 Memento Vivi discovered the 10th muse: Emma _ Muse of Graphical Reason.
More info: http://www.memento-vivi.com

 
dated 1920 until 2003, react to the artist (click on an image to enlarge an artwork)

Johanna van Polane 2001		'The source of creativity can be found in the domain of Polane' Muse Emma is a follow up of Johanna van Polane, a cyberlady who existed only in the web site of Polane. A graphic design & advertising office in Breda for which I was working before I founded Memento Vivi. For the appearance of Johanna we were inspired by the work of Alphonse Mucha. In 2002 Polane discontinued her activities.
Model Emma 2003		After I founded my graphic design agency Memento Vivi, I started to create a co-operate identity. Again I choose for Jugendstil and Alphonse Mucha {1860-1939} as my inspiration. Because I like the decorative style and I admire the way Mucha portrayed women; they are sensual & attractive beings, but never vulgar. The idea of Muse Emma was born. I needed some one to be a model for Muse Emma.
First drawing Muse Emma 2003		The composition wasn't what I had in mind.
New drawing of Muse Emma 2003		After I made several sketches this was the one I choosed.
Pattern of William Morris {1834-1896} 1920		After I created Emma, I needed a pattern which could be the background. I choose for William Morris. At first I used his pattern to be the background. After a while I thought it didn't connect with Curaçao, so I create my own background.
Pattern Muse Emma 2003		My inspiration was the Flora & Fauna of Curaçao. I photographed all kinds of plants which were growing in my back-yard. This is the first layer of the background. The pattern is built in Adobe Photoshop.
Leaves for the pattern 2003		I drawed the leaves. In the Photoshop-document I repeated them in a pattern.
Pattern Muse Emma 2003		Background second layer.
Frame Muse Emma 2003		The frame is built in Adobe Illustrator. I was inspired by the work of Mucha: Zodiac {1896}. I placed the frame in the Photoshop document.
Muse Emma in document 2003		Muse Emma was placed before the frame.
Pink Flowers 2003		I thought the drawing needed some flowers. These were pink flowers.
Pink flowers in the document 2003		I placed the pink flowers above and below the frame.
Lizards 2003		My favorite animals on Curaçao: lizards. They are a symbol for transformation, birth and rebirth.
Lizards in the document 2003		Lizards placed in the document. In the drawing they stand for the transformation graphic design offers.
Flamboyant 2003		In my back-yard there was a big flamboyant with strange flowers.
The final result 2003		This is the way Muse Emma is portrayed in the co-operate identity of Memento Vivi.