A Conversation Between Artists [FICTOID]

“I like the painting of the skull with the galaxy in the background,” said the watercolorist, a visitor in the macho artist’s studio.

“Thank you,” he said.  “I found it in a trash can.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” said the macho artist, laying on a thick brushstroke.  “That was at least a decade ago, I forgot exactly when.  After my deployment in Afghanistan.”

“He forgets.  He always forgets,” said his model, who was also his wife.  “He forgets to take out the garbage, he forgets to get the car washed…”  She wore a petulant expression and nothing else.

The visitor nodded to acknowledge her statement but said nothing.  Chatting up a friend’s naked wife was perfectly acceptable in their circle but distracting a model in mid-pose was unforgiveable.

“So what are you working on?” the macho artist asked.

“Oh, a variety of projects,” said the watercolorist.  “With the pandemic I’ve had ample time to ponder.”

“You should try a new medium,” said the macho artist.  “Break away from painting entirely.”

“What would you suggest?  Pastels?”

“Sculpture.”

“You mean clay?”

“No, something harder, more permanent.”

“Like stone?”

“No,” said the macho artist, tossing the watercolorist an issue of National Geographic with Mt. Rushmore on the cover.  “Mountains.”

© Buzz Dixon