The Muse Of An Artist

A lesson I learned once about the duty of an artist, especially in regards to an actor, singer, or dancer, is that they must serve the intent of the material they are performing and define it through themselves (or whatever character one decides to create in that given moment) and yearn to share that with their audience.



Meryl Streep revealed in an interview once that when she was a struggling actress in New York, she learned a lesson about inspiration by watching Liza Minelli perform on Broadway and that "her desire to give you something" was overwhelming.



When Elliott Yamin took the stage last night on "American Idol Results" for the second time since his triumphant third-place finish in Season 5, he had every member of his devoted fanbase in the palm of his hand, waiting with baited breath since the annoucement of his appearance Tuesday evening, and perhaps rooting for him as much as they did two years ago this week, when the drive to keep Elliott on that show began to reach a zenith after his smashing rendition of "It Had To Be You", and the shock of his undeserving place in the bottom three the prior two weeks still evident. While it's always exciting when Elliott appears on national television, this particular moment held special meaning.

With the recent passing of Elliott's mother Claudette, his appearance last night was the salve that his fans needed to know that he was okay, that he will persevere. With a conviction of spirit, he dove into the lyrics of "Free" like he probably never had before - as if he was channeling his mother's hope and determination to see her lost little boy finally find himself and his purpose in life. Her message to him, became his message to us, and through his comforting, soulfully lush voice, which was amazing as ever, he shared with us that message of perseverance and determination. And the writing that Elliott revealed on the palm of his hand in tribute to his mother seemed to speak for all of us and our feelings for Claudette and the special bond she had with her first-born son.

Last year, after seeing Elliott in concert for the first time, I declared that the artist had arrived. Last night, propelled by the love, support, and condolences that have surrounded him these past two weeks, Elliott not only dutifully served his song and audience, but his muse as well. Wherever his mother is now, I'm sure she was smiling proudly.



Rg

Aw - Rg this is beautiful and you have me crying again.... Love the pics from each year too, boy they say a lot.

Darn,darn,double darn.! Your post is absolutely beautiful! I went to bed after Elliott's appearance last night a complete "mess", now after reading that, I'm a mess again! Please don't feel badly, I'll get over it one of these days. I guess I am kind of like an addict, Elliott and the E-train is my drug of choice. Hopefully one day I will be able to re-live seeing Elliott last night and not start sobbing. Elliott's performance and your post touched me so much. Thank you? Yes, truly, thank you.

Wow, beautiful post, ramblerg. Thanks. :)

OMG, very well said ramblerg! I think you summed up pretty well what all of us are feeling. Thank you!!!

A brilliantly accurate & beatifully written post rg. Thankyou! :awe:

So much luv, Rian. :awe:

That was so beautiful Rg!! I'm going to be going to bed crying again - but it's a wonderful cry!! :grouphug: :grouphug: :awe: :awe:

Bravo Rg...beautiful post..!!!!!!!!
These last 2 years have been filled with laughter..love and tears..that's for sure.

Rather than repeat what others have already so eloquently said about this post, I'm just simply going to say...wow. This is one that should be printed out and saved in my E-file.

Your post is incredibly beautiful, Rian. I felt a lot better after seeing Elliott perform on the show because I was concerned about how he was coping. I had tears in my eyes after reading this part:

:yes: I totally agree.

Rian, how are you getting on?

Wonderful muse, Rg! We all should know it was most likely Elliott's intent to have us in mind when he used "We!!!"

Thanks for the compliments y'all. It was one of those special Elliott occasions again that I had to write down something.

chattycb, things are going pretty good, though it's one day at a time. I was able to secure a sublet apt. for at least 4 months, possibly longer.

Rian, it's so good to hear that things are looking up for you. NYC must be a VERY expensive place to live!!

It's extremely expensive.

SoHappy life is looking Rian! :awe: :grouphug: :cheerleaders:

Me thinks this lovely piece deserves saving to the Thread That Elliott Built! Moderator Tx? You a writer, Rian? Seems a Great career!!!

Artists are some of the most incredible people on the planet. The mythical being of the muse lives within an artist, IMHO. Beautiful and thoughtful post, RG. I love me some great writing!

Rian...I am a "slow" reader and just discovered your BEAUTIFUL post!!! Wow after enduring a tragedy of your own, to sit down and write such a heartfelt post about Elliott and his amazing performance on Idol...You are one phenominal person. We all love Elliott and have all been effected by the passing of his wonderful mom...You put it all into words in such elloquent manner.

May God be with you as you overcome your own tragedy.

Hugs & many blessings,

Theresa

:grouphug: :chloe: :grouphug: :chloe: :grouphug:

It's more of an avocation for me over the last few years... but I'm considering getting really serious about it.

Thanks Theresa. It's strange, in the days following the fire I was in such a race to find places to stay, plus still being in shock and the physical and mental exhaustion I was enduring, I never found anytime to cry over what happened. I work night shifts and the night that Claudette passed away, I learned the news just moments after I logged on to the computer before midnight when I saw Brandon's thread.

I had to go take a moment in the breakroom and have that cry for myself as well as for Elliott and he and his family's loss.

Seeing Elliott on AI was something I needed and was very sustaining to me, so it was very easy to write about it as I felt so compelled to do it after being so moved by it. It made me feel better to be able to write about someone I deeply admire, and to express what I felt were the collective thoughts of all of us.

Wise, VERY wise decision!! Any area of special interest to you, by chance? I'm just wondering. I love seeing so many talented people all in one place!! It's a world all it's own here, and who do we credit? WOW is all I can say!!

To ADD: I STILL think this needs archiving to the Thread That Elliott Built filled with Elliott-inspired writings!

Wow! That's a beauiful post

Rian, you really do have a gift for writing. I hope that you do more of it as a career or side project.

That was beautiful. It came from your heart.