O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention,

"Everyone should have a muse. But nobody should have to be one." From "The Lily Maid" by Kris Waldherr

( I was painting this tribute to Lizzie Siddal (Pre-Raphaelite model and artist) when I came across this quote of Kris's. It weighed heavily on my mind, how in becoming "Venus" she was also self destructing. It seems to of been an impossible thing to be the vision and herself. A dear friend saw this on the easel and refers to her as the warrior girl. She sees the paint brush as a spear or arrow which I love. One of the things that draws me to Lizzie's story is her own art and poetry in a time when women were not accepted as artists. Despite her tragic end she remains an inspiration, and muse. I wonder what Lizzie would think of the continued admiration she inspires?

"The Holy Grail" Lizzie Siddal (image lizziesiddal.com)

Here is Cora Belle with color. Its always a challenge balancing the colors to bring a haunting character to "life" while keeping the ghostly quality. Thank you for the kind comments on the sketch!