"On the cusp of the fin de seciel the gods descended upon me. Actually I must confess I think I invited them. I had said, standing in my studio, O sing Muse of a time when gods walked the earth like mortals. And with my words they did, and now my muses haunt my studio, dogging my steps and offering recriminations if I venture out of it. So sing o Muse and I will paint and make my wishes carefully."