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!
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“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!
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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!
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.
Thanks, Anita. Too many artists find fame retrospectively.
I liked the anonymity and mystery of the artist in the second piece
Thanks so much, Neil.
I liked them both Keith but preferred the second one.
Between you and me, so do I, Di!
🙂
I like the idea of displaying t shirt.. 😀
Both the stories are good and displaying different emotions of artists.
Chalk and cheese! Thanks, Vartika.
Two good stories. I can see why you couldn’t choose between them. I particularly enjoyed the humour of the first.
I hummed and haaa’d and gave in! Delighted to have amused you, Penny.
I love both your stories. Both are a different tone and flavor from each other, but entertaining.
I’m pleased, thanks, Sadje.
You’re welcome Keith
I, too, like them both, the second more than the first because it shows the emotional struggle of the artist stronger.
It was also a little more challenging to write. Thanks so much.
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.
I nicer response I couldn’t wish for! Thanks so much, Lisa.
🙂 My pleasure, Keith.
I laughed, then I cried. Nicely done.
Mission accomplished, cheers Iain!
Goodness, Keith. Well done x2. I’m glad you posted both because they are so different, yet both interesting in their own, independent way.
I couldn’t decide which one to use, I’m glad you approved, Bill!
I can see why you had that problem, Keith.
I liked them both. Lucky is the Friday Fictioneer that has TWO stories to offer, says the one who struggles to produce even one.
Thanks, Sandra. I must say that your stories are on another level and well worth struggling over.
He sold one, almost, i like that.
A true genius is rarely recognized in his lifetime.
Sadly neither of them actually sold one, not yet anyway. Can I interest you in one?
“I’m an artiste moderne”. I think we all can use that phrase to sell our inspirations with water colour or other paints.
Oh yes, it’s bien plus grandiose!
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…
Thanks for your kind words, Dale. If you can’t choose, don’t!
Especially when both offerings are so good!
You say the nicest things!
Only when I mean them 🙂
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!
Thanks so much, Bear. I totally agree with you, it’s surprising what some people will buy!
I found myself wondering if both artists are you, which either shows great perspicacity on my part, or vividly real writing on yours!
Thanks so much. Art was one of the only qualifications I left school with, but that’s where it stopped!
I liked the first one; I was engrossed by the second. One wonders how many great talents just melted into oblivion.
No doubt, there are many. Some by choice, others not. Thanks, Linda.
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
What a lovely comment, thanks so much, Rochelle. I’ll display them with pride ✨✨
I vote for number 2!
It’s a close-run contest! Cheers, Danny.
Your second story is so sad. Lovely writing in both.
That’s so kind of you Jilly, thank you.
Both great. I think I liked the comedy one more, as I probably always would! I had trouble thinking of even one story!
Same here 🙂
Yours is really different Bernadette, well done!
silly stories come naturally, serious ones less so – not sure what that says about me!
Thanks, Ali. Silly stories come naturally, serious ones less so – not sure what that says about me!
I love the anonymity of this, Keith. The creation for the sake of doing, the struggle, the real breath of muse. Loved this!
i like the first one, its beautiful
i like both stories. glad you posted them both. 🙂