I came up with two stories in resonse to this weeks prompt and couldn’t make up my mind which to use. I hope you don’t mind but I’m using them both!
.
.
“I’m an impressionist,” I said.
“Me too,” he said, “I do a great Boris – ‘erm-aah-err-forgive me…”
“Not that kind,” I said, “I’m an artiste moderne”. I invited him to my shed studio.
He watched as I brandished my brush.
“Great self-portrait,” he said.
“Hey,” I said, “it’s an elephant”.
“There’s more paint on your tee shirt than the canvas,” he said, “you should frame it!”
He had a point. I snipped, stretched and stapled it to a canvas. It looked good. I went through my rubbish and found some more. Snipped stretched and stapled them too.
Guess what, I sold one – almost!
.
.
He stared at a blank canvas, his mind a vapid empty space.
He flung his easel across the room, stamped upon discarded paintings then crouched in a corner.
Through a broken window, a sunray permeated the gloom. He watched as shadows flickered upon the peeling wall, dancing, spinning.
He unfurled his aching body, righted his easel, grabbed some paper and paints, then one by one pictures formed, two, three, more.
Many years later the abandoned studio was discovered. A glimpse of heaven one reporter wrote. Inspirational artefacts said a critic. Who was the creator? Not a name, nor a signature. Not a single clue.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and to Brenda Cox for the photo.
Click the Froggies to find out what others have written!
Keith's Ramblings 
Great, Keith.
Loved them both.
The first one is a creative take. Every odd & novel item has takers!
The second one is emotional. Wish artists are recognized during their lifetime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anita. Too many artists find fame retrospectively.
LikeLike
I liked the anonymity and mystery of the artist in the second piece
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Neil.
LikeLike
I liked them both Keith but preferred the second one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Between you and me, so do I, Di!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the idea of displaying t shirt.. 😀
Both the stories are good and displaying different emotions of artists.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chalk and cheese! Thanks, Vartika.
LikeLike
Two good stories. I can see why you couldn’t choose between them. I particularly enjoyed the humour of the first.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hummed and haaa’d and gave in! Delighted to have amused you, Penny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love both your stories. Both are a different tone and flavor from each other, but entertaining.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pleased, thanks, Sadje.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome Keith
LikeLiked by 1 person
I, too, like them both, the second more than the first because it shows the emotional struggle of the artist stronger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was also a little more challenging to write. Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bravo on your stories, Keith. The first one softened me up with laughter and the second one brought me shiny eyes. VanGogh came to mind on the 2nd one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I nicer response I couldn’t wish for! Thanks so much, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 My pleasure, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I laughed, then I cried. Nicely done.
LikeLike
Mission accomplished, cheers Iain!
LikeLike
Goodness, Keith. Well done x2. I’m glad you posted both because they are so different, yet both interesting in their own, independent way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t decide which one to use, I’m glad you approved, Bill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see why you had that problem, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked them both. Lucky is the Friday Fictioneer that has TWO stories to offer, says the one who struggles to produce even one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandra. I must say that your stories are on another level and well worth struggling over.
LikeLike
He sold one, almost, i like that.
A true genius is rarely recognized in his lifetime.
LikeLike
Sadly neither of them actually sold one, not yet anyway. Can I interest you in one?
LikeLike
“I’m an artiste moderne”. I think we all can use that phrase to sell our inspirations with water colour or other paints.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, it’s bien plus grandiose!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you didn’t bother to decide and shared both. They each had their own flavour. I love the attitude (transformed) in the first and I love the anonymity in the second. Makes you wonder how many are out there…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind words, Dale. If you can’t choose, don’t!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially when both offerings are so good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You say the nicest things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only when I mean them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, my, you’ve outdone yourself – twice this week. Loved both stories. Loved the first especially. I’ve done art for years, and it’s amazing what people will buy. They piece you spent hundreds of hours on doesn’t sell, yet someone buys you test paper. Go figure. Whatever sells, right? hehe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Bear. I totally agree with you, it’s surprising what some people will buy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found myself wondering if both artists are you, which either shows great perspicacity on my part, or vividly real writing on yours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. Art was one of the only qualifications I left school with, but that’s where it stopped!
LikeLike
I liked the first one; I was engrossed by the second. One wonders how many great talents just melted into oblivion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No doubt, there are many. Some by choice, others not. Thanks, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
I echo the words of others in saying I’m glad you didn’t choose between the two and posted them both. The first one made me laugh with delight. The second made my heart ache. Well done. Two golden stars this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely comment, thanks so much, Rochelle. I’ll display them with pride ✨✨
LikeLike
I vote for number 2!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a close-run contest! Cheers, Danny.
LikeLike
Your second story is so sad. Lovely writing in both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so kind of you Jilly, thank you.
LikeLike
Both great. I think I liked the comedy one more, as I probably always would! I had trouble thinking of even one story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yours is really different Bernadette, well done!
LikeLike
silly stories come naturally, serious ones less so – not sure what that says about me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ali. Silly stories come naturally, serious ones less so – not sure what that says about me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the anonymity of this, Keith. The creation for the sake of doing, the struggle, the real breath of muse. Loved this!
LikeLike
i like the first one, its beautiful
LikeLike
i like both stories. glad you posted them both. 🙂
LikeLike