Maxwell Edward

André’s creation: eclectic pleasures

Black and white keys, saxophone, guitar, everywhere. The music has much more magnificence than can be tried to be explained through words. This jazzy rendezvous has always been André’s favourite ear-food. He just loves the way its beauty, splendour, radiance is ‘unleashed’.

André stares at the canvas for over a dozen times. Here he is staring at the blank space which is future marvel…or was it to be past marvel? Had he missed his chance, missed the boat which would have sailed to sentimental stardom? He refuses to collaborate more than a sentence for any one idea. Any idea that deserves a sentence must deserve no doubt. Any canvas is only worth the greatest ideas.

Two André’s exist; though only one at any one time. The withdrawn analytical front, designed for most occasions. On rare occasions the other character may appear, the intensive, massively determined André who acts on impulses. Impulsive André must be begged out. A Pandora’s Box of surprises, his job will at least never cease to astonish.

“Dearest André,

Through years have you befriended my son Louis, so therefore I am offering an opportunity to benefit both of our interests (with intent towards your gain). Litton inc., my company has stepped up towards mainstream success. We require visual arts for our newly bought edifice. I understand you have been painting for the eight years since high school. To your discretion I would like to require a painting; just one will suffice. I would like something vibrant and colourful, yet deep and meaningful; Contemporise to your own vision.

Much thanks, Dr. Raymond Fonck.”

The commissioned paper lies stuck on the wall. André has read it. Now it is time for the future. It has been too long sitting around (or rather bouncing around); too get too much productivity from anything. Someone once said to him that anything is good experience. True perhaps, although he prefers productivity, especially in a time of intensity such as this; three days left until confrontation.

His vigilant eyes stroll around the room, searching for advice. He is not bored, nor has he painters block, for such a term does not exist and will not ever for him. His eyes strike the clock. The clock glares 5:48 pm back. What a disgusting fierce look it has. Not 5:45, nor 6:00 and only one uncomfortable minute in-between. For at this time these uncomforting three digits add to the frustration in the actual time.

“Aw!” André suddenly realizes the importance of the time. It is the one factor which never seems to be on his side but actually encourages his total progress. It is an epiphany like that of a mother to the newborn. André decides to let his hands take
control. They are the secret key, (sometimes the gatekeepers of unleashing impulsive André)

His dominant left one picks up the brush (over time it has made up for its fault of statistically losing him seven years). His right hand decides to lose cognition. It dips itself into a little puddle of Sangria oil paint muck. Than it flies onto the near-centre of the canvas, smeared diagonally. His left hand takes initiative once again, waving lines of smudge to and fro. Right hand brings more paint to its destination. Myrtle, Indigo, Olive, Magnolia…and no, not that…Yes, yes, even black! (Well seal brown to be precise). All of these contextually beautiful colours unleashed!

There are no thoughts in André’s mind now. This is impulsive André now; organised thought is of little importance!

That colour is important here. This colour is unimportant there. A few lines of any colour are important right here or there, but perhaps a darker colour is better. More negative space up and down the edges. Shape is forming. Lines are bolding. Complete non-representational form is diminishing. Visualizations; the visualized images in mind are being…unloaded bit by bit.

It is coming about. What is it though? No one knows. If anybody could guess it definitely would not be André. André knows he has the power to bring out the reality in it though. In a seemingly paradox situation he must not connect to reality at the moment though.

Now, after these hours of painting, André is in the painting. He would not know it has been hours besides the constant glare of the illuminating digital clock staring from across the room; it unconsciously processes its recognition into André.

The phone screams out, ‘br-ring, br-ring!’ Like the other external matter it creeps into André, until finally its screams become too annoying to ignore. It’s too late now…impulsive André has vanished; his conventional counterpart has replaced him. The phone persists though. André decides to take it (typical for his returned mannerism).

He dives across the room horizontally attacking the corner where that nuisance phone lies. ‘Aw, aw, aw, aw!’ A tube of paint has squirt from underneath his stomach. Agonising that his material friend can be so painful at times (like any of his life long friends). He picks up the phone; only the tone. He has missed whatever, whoever it was. Once again, missing the boat…

Now thought and all that comes with it has returned. Why now out of all times possible? There is only sadness, misery, all this escalated from these small miniscule misfortunes; all has turned to turmoil! What can one do, when feeling like crawling into a hole? His secret minor disorders such as his claustrophobia would prevent him from crawling into that hole, even if he had one. At the moment everything feels like one big hole.

Not surprisingly André’s eyes begin doing the only thing they know to do in times of unrest; wander. It is impossible to ignore what is there; it has been there all along, yet has never been seen. It is beautiful! It is splendour! It is radiance!!

It is interrupted by another scream of ‘br-ring br-ring’. André picks up the damn phone. Without contemplation he whispers, “Sir, madam, I’m very terribly busy, could you perhaps call back sometime?” A deep sophisticated voice replies, “Raymond Fonck, André. Listen, I need to know about the progress of the painting. How is it going; ready to sell on Friday?”

Many emotions garner at the speed of light inside André allows these emotions to clash inside of him. The painting; it is beautiful, splendour, radiance! How could he give it away now, after an indescribable series of emotional contributions? It is something that has not been attempted before; yet it is new but the expression of old. It is everything, at the moment, hopefully containing more interpretive inoculations for the future. It is a subject, of just some time, yet it contains a collaboration of detail separated from time. It is…once again interrupted by screams, this time of another sort; the infuriating talking of man.

“André. Are you there?” Feelings of great rebellion sweep André off his feet. He knows how he will revolutionize his life, because after all; this painting has revolutionized his thought already. “Mister Fonck. I am so sorry. Some things have come over me…a type of sickness…although I am sure you are not aware of this mad syndrome I am suffering due to it. Well to the point, I must say I will not be supplying you with your wanted artwork. Thank you for your understanding. Hopefully we can collaborate something in future.” André hangs the phone up without replies, without a stated understanding from the mister Fonck. Without even the knowledge of acceptance or approval from the mister Fonck…it does not matter.

All that matters is this new painting, this contemporised vision. It is everything. Most importantly of all, it is…unleashed!

  • Chloe Scullin

    Chloe Scullin, about 1 year ago

    very very excellent, you have much inspiration throughout the story and really know what you are talking about and who the characters are. Your story’s give the readers ‘the vibe’...

  • Adrien Heb

    Adrien Heb, about 1 year ago

    so when is the book coming out mate?lol pretty dam good indeed i may say again, you got the stuff man keep it up. Adrian

  • Maxwell Edward

    Maxwell Edward, about 1 year ago

    Thanks to both of you for reading and letting me know what you think.
    Adrien, as soon as I get the book out, I’ll let you know!
    Thanks again.

  • DrRoxanne

    DrRoxanne, about 1 year ago

    I love stories about music, dance, action, and art. Throughly enjoyed this short story and anticipate more. What will André do next? This could be sequential. Thank you for the read.

  • Elaine van Dyk

    Elaine van Dyk, about 1 year ago

    Very good! Love the intensity and the build-up, and your portrayal of the utter frustration of the interruption of Andre’s state of mind when he’s painting. Great turn-around at the end….......

  • Maxwell Edward

    Maxwell Edward, about 1 year ago

    Thanks Roxanne for the comment.
    I would be more interested than anyone in writing more to it.

    Thanks Whirligig. I am glad, that you experienced it just like I wanted people to. I really hoped as if I could recreate this event which seems realistic and which people can identify somehow with.

    It is very satisfying to receive such nice comments!

  • Truthdude

    Truthdude, about 1 year ago

    Very confronting piece of writing, really drew me into the thoughs of the artist and then left me guessing what he would do at the end. You really have a good grasp of the subject and I feel I have experienced a truely creative moment.

  • Nick Cohen

    Nick Cohen, about 1 year ago

    Wow, I really enjoyed reading this piece. It has a lot of realism to it. I’m not a painter, but if I were I think I would definetely be able to identify and sort of sympathise with the protaganist. Even though i’m not a painter, I can sort alreadu of identify with his experience, yet in a different way. Two thumbs up, I think it’s quite creative.

  • themelia

    themelia, about 1 year ago

    I love it! I like the dramatic portrayal of this very interesting character Andre: By concentrating on him, it lets us, the audience get to know (and love) him.

    I read a lot, and I like reading stories that have this nice little kind of unique vibe to them like this. I would have to say this is my personal favorite from the stories I have read for this competition! (so far….)

  • winnierose

    winnierose, about 1 year ago

    Well done Max. You write well. I get the feeling you may emerge into a playwright. Bring more on !!

  • Bicarbonate

    Bicarbonate, about 1 year ago

    Nice story.

    I read half of this earlier in the day, and now came back to read the other half…I originally had a sort of preconceived idea of what it was going to be like, but it was quite unique and I enjoyed it a lot, even though I’m not much of a reader.

    Good work Max.

  • ChristineBB

    ChristineBB, about 1 year ago

    Excellent Max, you certainly have talent.
    I really enjoyed the story and your use of vivid, discriptive language. I loved the twist at the end. It reminded me of my creative nephew, who’s name is Andre!!

    Keep writing.

  • Emma King

    Emma King, about 1 year ago

    Great work dude! Very inspiring and insightful!

  • desairohan

    desairohan, about 1 year ago

    Another one of your great stories !!! The intensity was so good that I felt as i was Andre myself !!!! A superb piece of fiction

  • Jenn

    Jenn, about 1 year ago

    Good one Max,
    I loved this story….we all procrastinate, obviously you don’t have mental blocks. Can’t wait for more to appear on the canvas. Your story is as colourful as the image on the canvas, I guess you are IN it too.
    You must have wonderful life experiences to write like you do. Keep the stories coming.
    Jenn

  • Amanda Witt

    Amanda Witt, about 1 year ago

    I get like this when I am deeply involved in my artwork or writing – where all external noises like the phone become a nuisance.
    Good descriptions.

  • Shanina Conway

    Shanina Conway, about 1 year ago

    Wonderful!
    You have captured those precious moments when nothing exists except the creator and the creation…and the tag is perfect!

  • Michelle Boyer

    Michelle Boyer, 4 months ago

    Fantastic work! Although it seems I’m 10 months late :)

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