Draw a card and gain inspiration from 40 incredible women—across art, architecture, dance, literature, and more—whose culture-defining contributions have, until now, been overshadowed by their role as “muses” to history’s better-known men. 

What does it mean to be someone’s “muse”? Historically, to be called a “muse” among artistic circles has been marketed as a flattering title. It is a commendation that most often refers to a woman whose vivacity and beauty are the source of inspiration for a (usually) male artist or creator. This deck, from author-researcher Lori Zimmer and artist Maria Krasinski, repositions 40 of these women—casting them as the main characters of their own narratives and allowing users to draw inspiration from these iconic cultural figures, from “The Mother of the Movies” Alice Guy-Blaché to Modernist designer Eileen Gray, prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, storied Harlem Renaissance editor Jessie Redmon Fauset, and many more. Each of these women advanced the narrative of culture and society, pushing the boundaries of visual arts, dance and movement, commercial architecture, music, journalism, and the performing arts. Whether by historical accident or cruel design, their contributions have historically been overshadowed by those of their male counterparts, and often collaborators. 

This set includes: 

• 40 full-color inspiration cards. These vibrantly illustrated cards (3 X 5″) depict original portraits of each of the inspiring women, and are perfect to display or incorporate into inspiration readings, self-care rituals, or personal artistic practices.
• 88-page, fully illustrated paperback guidebook. This enclosed guidebook features brief, engagingly written snapshots of the women on the cards, each with key information about their lives, careers, and legacies.
• Magnetic closure case. This durable magnetic closure case is perfectly sized for travel or display, and holds the paperback book and cards securely in dedicated sleeves.

Shop the accompanying book I'm Not Your Muse here.