painting

Cellpic Sunday — 5/14/23

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John Steiner, the blogger behind Journeys With Johnbo, has this prompt he calls Cellpic Sunday in which he asks us to post a photo that was taken with a cellphone, tablet, or another mobile device. I thought this might be fun so I decided to join in.

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting by myself in my audiologist’s office. I had just completed a hearing test and she was in another room futzing around with my hearing aids. Right across from me was this canvas and I thought it was interesting.

As I was waiting for her to return, I was staring at the painting and thought that it was a representation of our human connectivity. No matter our size, shape, or color, we are all connected in some way. Some of those connections are strong, represented by thick black lines and dots. Other connections, represented by thinner lines and smaller dots, are less strong. And, as in society as a whole, there are a few that are not connected at all.

That was about as deep as I got in my thinking before the audiologist returned to the room and strayed playing the “Can you hear me now?” game with me.

If you wish to participate in this fun cellphone photo prompt, please click on the link to John’s post at the top of my post to see his photo and to read his instructions.

Friday Fictioneers — Paint What You See

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“Dennis,” the art teacher said, “you know that the purpose for bringing the class here to this scenic spot was for the students to paint photorealistic scenes of clouds over the water.”

“I know, Mrs. Briggs,” Dennis said.

“Then why have you painted cartoon animals, instead of clouds?” Mrs. Briggs asked sternly.

“You said that we should paint what we see,” Dennis said. “I see a walrus, an elephant standing on its hind legs, a mouse….”

“What is that?” Mrs. Briggs interrupted, pointing to a bright white cloud in the center of his canvas.

“That’s George Washington,” he said, beaming.

(100 words)

Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers prompt. Photo credit: Bradley Harris.

#writephoto — The Forest for the Trees

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132116e7-f536-491f-b49e-6d3f0c1d9014“That is absolutely fantastic,” Ellen said as she and her son were on their way to do some shopping at their local mall.

“What is, Mom?” Jimmy asked.

Ellen pointed to the wall. “That is,” she said. “It is so artistic, so expressive. The genius of the person who created it is truly amazing.”

“Uh, Mom,” Jimmy said, “I think you’re going a little overboard in your enthusiasm. It seems pretty straightforward to me.”

“Straightforward?” Ellen exclaimed. “You take after your father, don’t you? Just like him, you fail to see the beauty and artistry that is all around us. How can you see that,” she said, pointing again to the wall, “and not feel a sense of wonder? How does it not stir your imagination, heighten your senses, and elevate your spirit?”

“What are you talking about, Mom?” Jimmy asked. “It’s just a sign. And it’s kind of funny, actually.”

“Yes, it is a sign,” Ellen said. “It’s a sign from God. It’s a sign that speaks to the talent, artistry, and grace He has imbued in us. It’s a celebration of His love for us. There’s nothing funny about it. It’s a thing of beauty. It’s inspirational.”

“Mom,” Jimmy said, shaking his head. “It’s a sign that has two cartoon-like cars facing each other. It says, ‘Please Park Bumper-to-Bumper.’”

“I’m talking about the mural painted on the wall,” Ellen said, “not about the damn parking sign. You are so like your father. You can’t see the forest for the trees.” she added, as she stalked off in the direction of the mall.

“Whatever,” Jimmy sighed under his breath, running to catch up with his mother.

Written for Sue Vincent’s Thursday Photo Prompt.

A Masterpiece

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I lied. “Yes, I have repaired, resurfaced, and painted probably dozens of wrought iron fences like these.”

The estate’s property manager tilted his head down so he could see me clearly over his reading glasses. Then he glanced down at the written proposal I had given to him.

I needed the work. I’d been doing odd jobs ever since I got discharged from the army sixteen month earlier and some of them included repairing and painting fences. Wood fences. So it was just a little white lie.

“Check my references,” I said. All the names on the list were my army buddies who were willing to vouch for me even though I’d never done any handyman work for any of them.

“Fine,” he said. “If your references check out, you can start the day after tomorrow.”

It took me almost two weeks to complete the work, and the property manager told me that I had far exceeded his expectations. Then he told me the owner called my work “a masterpiece.”

(170 words)

Written for this week’s FFfAW challenge from Priceless Joy.