aMuse

Much of the allure of working in encaustic is the instant gratification it provides. The paradox is that some of the encaustic processes are actually quite slow and laborious. Building up wax and subsequently scraping it back is one of those processes…love the result, but on a large scale piece, a fair amount of patience is necessary.

Unfortunately, patience is not one of Zuzu’s virtues and the monotonous scraping required in the studio this week left Zuzu’s mind wandering. She needs to start some new pieces, but can’t quite “see” them in her mind yet. It occurred to her that what she really needs is a muse. Matisse had his nurse Monique; Dante had Beatrice; John had Yoko…clearly, Zuzu needed someone to inspire her.

With so much scraping left to do, Zuzu considered the obvious muse choices. Perhaps one of the great Masters? But would you really want Michelangelo critiquing every stroke? Frieda seems like she might be moody. And Picasso probably wouldn’t show up until late in the day anyway. Truthfully, many artists are too selfish to be of much muse use. Zuzu wanted a muse to be, well, more a-musing.

Come to think of it, Zuzu sort of wanted a muse who was more magical than anything. You know, someone who could jump in and help get things done. Someone who was fun and spunky and could just make things happen around the studio. Someone like Barbara Eden as Jeannie. OMG…that was perfect! Zuzu’s muse would wear white go-go boots and live in a bottle filled with lava lamps and throw pillows. If Zuzu needed a different pigment stick, blink! Jeannie would make it appear. If Zuzu wondered if it would look better to add a smudge of blue across the bottom of the painting, blink! Jeannie would do a smudge of blue and then wrinkle her nose and take it away when it clearly was not right. And if Zuzu needed something new to wear in the studio, blink! Jeannie would go shopping and bring back cool, funky artist clothes. OMG…Zuzu could wear go-go boots, too!

Zuzu paused from her scraping and mulled over the idea of wearing go-go boots in the studio. Mrs. Eaves frowned at Zuzu, letting her gaze drift to Zuzu's paint splattered leather sandals and toenails begging for new polish. She continued to survey the piles of latte cups and used paper towels scattered around Zuzu. 

“Perhaps the Bradys could spare Alice for a day or two to inspire and a-muse you.” 

Sigh. Making art isn’t very glamorous most days. And it isn’t a day job for go-go boots. Some muses have to be a little sturdier than others.