Different Kinds of Art: Goddess Mnemosyne & the Nine Muses by Resa McConaghy

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Today, I bring you another magnificent Art Gown by the talented Resa McConaghy. This amazing creation is called …

Goddess Mnemosyne & the Nine Muses

In Greek mythology, Mnemosyne is the Titan Goddess of memory. Her parents are Uranus and Gaea. Her eleven god and goddess siblings are Tethys, Theia, Phoebe, Rhea, Themis, Oceanus, Hyperion, Coeus, Cronus, Crius and Iapetus.

Mnemosyne was tasked with naming all of the objects on earth. She is also acredited with many other realities in the world of myths.

However, I am here presenting an Art Gowns idea of Mnemosyne and her nine children, the Muses.

After conquoring the Titans; Zeus, an Olympian, banished all the men into the Underworld. The women remained on earth. So it came that Zeus visited Mnemosyne. Diguised as a Shepheard, he spent nine nights with her. She had nine children from those nights bedded with Zeus, The King Of the Gods. These are the nine Muses of Greek Mythology.

The Making Of Goddess Mnemosyne & the Nine Muses

It all began with a long length of red silk jaquard. This fabric was repurposed from the first Art Gown I ever made. A one shoulder drape seemed Grecian, so I started there.

The asymetric feel was continued in the back, with an interesting strapping.

Then yards and yards of 120 inches wide curtain sheers, bought at a liquidation sale for $1.00/yd, were finished with a rolled hem technique. The strapping allowed me to play with the draping of the sheers, by giving places to weave them in and out of.

The Nine Muses

Our neighbourhood is filled with Vintage Shops. Vintage clothing boutiques, furniture stores, vinyl record & turntable shops, jewelry counters and knick-knacks galore. It was in a knick-knacks market that 9 interesting brass decorations were found. These 9 pieces became my representaion of the Muses.

In no particular order:

Thalia & Melpomene

Thalia – The muse of comedy (agricultural science and geometry)

Melpomene – The muse of tragedy

Oh, the luck to find the theatrical masks of Comedy and Drama! They are the masks of Thalia & Melpomene.

Euterpe

She Who Pleases, is the Muse of Flute-playing. This is why she is oft portrayed with an aulos. An aulos was made of cane or wood. It had 3 or 4 finger holes. The Greeks usually used double reeds.

Calliope

She is the Muse of Epic Poetry.

Hesiod claims that she was the foremost among the nine Muses. Myth says that she inspired Homer while he wrote Iliad and Odyssey.

Often depicted holding a writing tablet, or the two Homeric poems, she attended worshipful kings and princes.

Polymnia

This Muse of divine hymns and mimic art also invented geometry and grammar.

She is at times depicted with a pensive look hidden behind a veil, or looking up to the sky holding a lyre.

Terpsichore

The Muse of Dance, she designed dances. She invented the harp and education. She was always having fun dancing. “Terpo” is Greek for being amused, hence Terpsichore.

She is portrayed holding a harp and dancing.

Clio

This Muse of History usually holds a scroll. Also at times she is depicted with a clarion in the right arm and a book in the left.

Urania

The Muse, whose name means heavenly, is the protector of celestial objects. She invented Astronomy. You often see her holding a celestial sphere and/or bearing stars.

Erato

(“The Lovely One”) was the Muse of Lyric Poetry, Love and protector of weddings. Naturally, she’s presented with a lyre, and sometimes love arrows and bow. Her name comes from the Greek word “Eros” – the feeling of falling in love.

The Muses were often depicted accompanied by Apollo. Apollo symbolized discipline and application to the arts. Later they stayed to entertain guests by Zeus’ throne. Here they told tales of Zeus’ accomplishments and sang the story of creation

https://study.com/academy/lesson/mnemosyne-mythology-symbol-facts.html

https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/The_Muses/the_muses.html https://mythology.net/greek/titans/mnemosyne/

Mythology is a complicated tapestry. The more you learn, the more threads you have to weave with. There are oodles of sites online, and endless books and art on the subject.

The links I present are a few pages I used to remind myself of the story of Mnemosyne and the Nine Muses.

https://mythology.net/

Is a fabulous and well organized site. It covers Greek, Roman, Egyptain, Norse and other myths and creatures.

About Resa McConaghy

Picture caption: Photograph of Resa from her blog, Graffiti Lux Art & More

My name is Resa McConaghy. I’m a semi-retired Costume Designer for film and television.

My first Art Gown “Strawberry Kisses” was to create some beauty in my life after mom died. It was a hit with people, so I continued to make and post more “Art Gowns”.

At some early point, I began upcycling, repurposing and in general making the gowns out of any fabric or notions that were not new goods. I was using up anything headed for landfill.

The Art Gowns are available to borrow or rent (situation dependant) for Gala’s, photo shoots and film production.

Resa’s Costume Design website: https://resamcconaghy.com/

Resa’s Art Gown blog: https://artgowns.com/2025/11/22/held-inside-the-folds-of-time/

Res’as Graffiti Lux Art & More blog: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/2025/11/29/gal-lery-i/

Resa has a fantastic book. You can find out more about it here: https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/artists/

About Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author photograph

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, written and illustrated four poetry books and written and illustrated one celebration of cake and fondant art book with recipes. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

Social Media Links

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle
TSL Publications: https://tslbooks.uk/product-tag/robbie-cheadle/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robbie-Cheadle/author/B01N9J62GQ
Unsplash profile: https://unsplash.com/@r_cheadle

77 respuestas a «Different Kinds of Art: Goddess Mnemosyne & the Nine Muses by Resa McConaghy»

  1. Avatar de Ephemeral Encounters

    Resa is so very talented!
    Love the gown and the muses 🤗
    Thank you for sharing Robbie.

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      My pleasure. Resa’s gown are the stuff of imagination 🥻⚜️💃

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      1. Avatar de Ephemeral Encounters

        Indeed Robbie.
        Works of art 💕💃🤗

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      2. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        👩‍🎨 Resa is an artist with a little bit of fairy dust 🧚

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      3. Avatar de Ephemeral Encounters

        Indeed Robbie 😉💛

        Me gusta

      4. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        🤗

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    2. Avatar de Resa

      Thanks Maggie! It was through the making of this gown that I learned about the Muses. xx

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      1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        🌻💛

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      2. Avatar de Resa

        xx

        Me gusta

      3. Avatar de Ephemeral Encounters

        It is beautiful Resa ❤️xx

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      4. Avatar de Resa

        xxx Thank you!

        Le gusta a 1 persona

      5. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        💚

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      6. Avatar de Resa

        xxx

        Me gusta

      7. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        👌

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  2. Avatar de richardbist

    Absolutely beautiful work.

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Thank you. Resa is incredibly talented 💃🥻

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  3. Avatar de Darlene

    This is fabulous!! I love learning more about the muses. The dress is perfect in every way.

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Hi Darlene, I’m delighted you enjoyed this post. Resa’s art gowns are amazing. The story behind this one is really fascinating.

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    2. Avatar de Resa

      Thank you Darlene! The Art Gowns are more than just another pretty dress. They have back stories. I guess you could say, I write with fabrics.

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      1. Avatar de Darlene

        Yes, you do. In fact you write very well with fabrics. I love that every gown has a story!

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      2. Avatar de Resa

        Yayayay!

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      3. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        🩵

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      4. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        That is a wonderful description

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  4. Avatar de Annette Rochelle Aben

    I have a 3rd cousin, named Calliope. She is almost two years old now and I shall be gifting her journals, once she is old enough to write!

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      That is wonderful, Annette. It’s a pretty name

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  5. Avatar de Violet Lentz

    This is a stellar creation, Resa! Thank you so much for the closeups and the breakdown of all the muses! I just love your gowns!

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Hi Violet, I thought the creativity with the 9 muses was especially delightful and clever ⚜️🔱🌟

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    2. Avatar de Resa

      Thank you so much, Violet! They mean a lot to me, being hand made from trash. They sort of become people to me. Well call me crazy! xx

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      1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        They certainly aren’t trash by the time you finish with them 🧡

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      2. Avatar de Resa

        Thanks! Hmm… emojis are not working for me today. xx

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  6. Avatar de Dave Astor

    Robbie, this is a stunning Resa gown — with quite a back story (and front story and side story… 🙂 ).

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Hi Dave, I agree. This gown has a wonderful story attached to it and the 9 muses are so clever and thoughtfully chosen. 👘👗

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  7. Avatar de Resa

    Robbie!

    You made a lovely post. Thank you!

    It’s quite wonderful that some of the Art Gowns are getting another look at via your art blog. Thinking about it, blogging in such a creative community that we share here on WP, it’s as though the Nine Muses created blogging.

    Again, thank you so very much for sharing Mnemosyne and her 9 Muses Art Gown.

    Sending BIG HUGS!

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      I’m so glad you like the post, Resa. For me, the creative ideas behind this gown are amazing. It is a real favourite of mine – if I could chose a favourite from you gown masterpieces 👘👗🥻💃

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      1. Avatar de Resa

        Yay! I have another Art Gown for you, for after the show. Athena… Graffiti Goddess.

        I know my art show is still almost 3 weeks away. Still, I’m excited to finish the gown I’ve been working on, and draw more, when it is over. I’ve got 1 gown part way done. One in the wings to dedicate to Rebecca…then hopefully some fabric will find its way to me to do one for you.

        Thank you for having an ART Blog! 🩵🎨🩵

        Me gusta

      2. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        Hi Resa, your new ideas sound fascinating and delightful. I am so looking forward to seeing what you have created for Athena. How lovely that you are creating a dress to dedicate to Rebecca. She will be delighted. If you ever create a dress for me, I will be absolutely thrilled. Thank you for all your support of this art blog. Hugs

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      3. Avatar de Resa

        HUGS!

        Me gusta

  8. Avatar de beetleypete

    I know nothing about ancient fashion, but that dress is exactly how I would have pictured the clothing of an Ancient Greek noblewoman. Shared on Twitter, Robbie.

    Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Thank you, Pete. Resa is exceptionally talented as a designer. Her use of recycled materials is so inspired and inspiring.

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  9. Avatar de Author Jan Sikes

    That gown is stunning! I especially love all the added details that transforms it from something great to exquisite! Resa is so talented!

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Hi Jan. That is exactly what I love about this gown 🔱⚜️💛

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    2. Avatar de Resa

      Thank you so much, Jan! That means a lot to me, someone who sews, in a world of amazing writers.

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      1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        Sewing is a lovely creative activity. When I was a tween and young teen, I used to design and make clothes for my sisters Barbie dolls. We still have some of those cloths.

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      2. Avatar de Resa

        I agree, it is very creative.
        Hey, I’ve got 2 Barbie’s modelling Barbie gowns at the show. Yes..I will sell them in a heartbeat! 🩵🕊🩵

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      3. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        I hope you do sell them. Are they the two Barbie gowns you made for Dan’s challenges? I remember those ones.

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      4. Avatar de Resa

        Yes, and I have some others! xxx

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      5. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        Fabulous

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      6. Avatar de Resa

        💐🌸🌷

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      7. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        💖

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  10. Avatar de John W. Howell

    Beautiful, Resa. Thanks for having Resa on your post, Robbie.

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    1. Avatar de Resa

      Thank you dear John!! OX OX

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      1. Avatar de John W. Howell

        😊X.

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    2. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      My pleasure, John. Thank you for visiting.

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      1. Avatar de John W. Howell

        😊

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  11. Avatar de Cindy Georgakas

    Wow, this is a spectacular dress and I love the history and little amulets that give it such detail and meaning. Thanks for the collaboration Robbie and Resa. I would love to wear it with and without the chiffon for 2 looks but of course I’m not going anywhere. 😂❣️💕❤️🌹💃🏻

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      You never know what lies ahead, Cindy. I also love this dress. I like the striking red ♥️🌹

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      1. Avatar de Cindy Georgakas

        That’s true, o have some red lipstick ready just in case! Lady in Red!
        😂❤️

        Me gusta

      2. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        💋💄

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  12. Avatar de shehannemoore

    An absolutely fabulous post. Resa, gowns, mythology, Robbie. What’s not to love.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      I couldn’t agree more, Shey. Resa’s gowns are outstanding artworks.

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  13. Avatar de Liz Gauffreau

    WOW!! I love how all the mythology surrounding Mnemosyne is incorporated into the dress itself. That red silk jacquard was a real find! It’s gorgeous. Can the gown be worn in different ways?

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      I agree it is a stunning dress, Liz 🥻👘👗💃

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  14. Avatar de memadtwo

    The Muses are always good inspiration. (K)

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Absolutely and Resa put them to amazing creative effect. Thanks, Kerfe.

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  15. Avatar de thomasstigwikman

    Those gowns are beautiful and that bright red is stunning and attention grabbing. The post is very nice looking too.

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      Thank you, Thomas. I’m pleased you like this post.

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  16. Avatar de acflory

    Love that colour!

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      I love it too, Meeks. Thank you.

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  17. Avatar de byngnigel

    thank you for the share Robbie. I wasn’t sure what to expect. But this was a wonderfully engaging read. Quite informative. And thank you for the introduction to a very talented and creative artist. Resa is very good at what she does.

    Me gusta

    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      HI Nigel, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to the highly talented gowns designer, Resa. Resa is also an amazing artist and photographer.

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      1. Avatar de byngnigel

        Yes, I spent some time waltzjng through her website. Very very talented.

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      2. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        I’m pleased to know that, Nigel 🌈

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  18. Avatar de D.L. Finn, Author
    D.L. Finn, Author

    loved this and the history behind it. Definitely a gown for a goddess! Xo

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      I loved it too. A magnificent artwork. Thanks for visiting, Denise.

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  19. Avatar de Dawn Pisturino

    How exquisite!

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    1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

      I agree, thank you, Dawn.

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