Smoke and Mirrors Issue 2 - Bringing On The Muse
Bringing On The Muse
by Phil Gottfredson
Bring on the Muse! Muse is an interesting word, sounding indifferent to its intended meaning....."He mused awhile, but not in doubt, not trace of doubt was there, it was the steady solemn pause of resolute despair..." Is it not different for different people? I muse awhile but not in doubt, no trace of doubt is there, just the steady solemn pause of resolute despair.
Seriously.....I get my inspiration from the person I'm doing the work for. I listen intently, not at the words so much, but to their heart. I study the piece I'm framing, I look for line, balance, texture, color, subject, and most of all I try to see the piece I'm framing through the eyes of the Artist, or the client. I use my imagination to empathize, feel what they feel, then channel that information to my artists' soul. I become emotionally involved with my task, then I again channel that emotion into my artists' soul. I then interpret all that I have heard and seen and felt into the piece I'm creating. All of the parts and elements that I use to make my frame are my dictionary of terms, every color, every texture, each line and curve are words.
To illustrate, I recall one evening when I sat with my client on the front steps of his house. Above, the city below, we had this spectacular view of the valley. In the distant sky was a thunderstorm, and as we watched the lightening and listened to the thunder, he told me something about himself when he was a boy. "I was very frightened by thunderstorms," he said.." I would hide and cry and prayed that I would be okay. When the clouds parted and I could see the shaft of yellow sunlight streaming through, I had hope, hope that all would be okay." He went on to say...."Phil, as you create the entry hall of my house, I want you to do something that will give me hope. When I come home from a long day, tried and frightened from the battles I have fought to earn my keep, I want to come into this entry hall, look up and feel hope, hope that all is going to be okay."
I sat there as the evening sun with its golden light broke through the clouds, just the way he had described it to me. I felt the warmth, I felt the hope about which he spoke.
The focal point of the entry hall was the ceiling dome, twenty-two feet from the floor. A perfect place to paint the storm that ends with the golden rays of hope. Surrounding the dome, I placed seven mystical white horses with golden manes and hoofs emerging from the storm to carry my client to safety. Surrounding the dome and all its parts, I colored the ceiling with the softest azure blue, my way of saying, "All is well, all is well."
As I relate this story, my eyes fill with tears. I still feel the same emotions I had when he told me his story six years ago. My client was an elderly man, and it was not easy for him to admit he was so vulnerable; to do so went against his ruthless masculinity. As for me, being vulnerable is my asset, yet I'm ruthless when I create.
My `muse' is awakened by my interreaction with the people for whom I create. I engage them in conversation that causes them to share their passionate side, which sparks my imagination and desire to create for them in a way that has purpose in their lives. I think motive has a lot to do with turning on the `muse;' without this interreaction with my clients, I have no `muse' at all, just wasted energy, and a palette of colors dry and covered with dust.
-end-
Copyright (c) 1993 Phil Gottfredson
