The Painter

Chapter 3
Part 3

Chapter Description: Third Customer

The old artist searched a box of his old things. He sifted through old pictures, newspaper clippings, and other mementos. He pulled out the picture he was looking for.

It was a picture of him, at about four years old. It was colorized, him having been born when color photography was on the rise. He would need it if he wanted to accomplish his ultimate goal. It was a large picture, so he would be able to see it clearly when he....

A young man with short black hair walked in. He held a photograph in his hand. He also had a sad look in his face.

“You are Jason Paige right?” the painter asked.

The man nodded. “Yes, I had originally wanted u to paint a portrait of me and my cat Ziggy, but he died yesterday unfortunately.”

“So you have come here to cancel the order?” the painter guessed. Jason shook his head. He handed the painter the photo. It was of the cat stretched out in the sun.

“I want you to paint me and Ziggy together, with him in my arms. I hear you’re an amazing artist, so this picture should be enough for you to do that, right?”

The painter looked at the photo again, and nodded. “Of course, go sit in the chair and act as if you are holding Ziggy, I’ll do the rest.”

Jason complied and went to sit down on the recliner. He moved his arms as if he was holding the cat.

The painter clipped the photo to a board next to the canvas. He would use it as a reference. The painter smiled as he began to bring the canvas to life.

He started with the easy part, Jason himself. The painter painted in the chair and Jason’s legs. He continued with the upper body, leaving a space for the cat. He finally finished him up and then moved on to the cat. Using the photo as reference, he painted the cat’s form into Jason’s arms. He used his specialty brush to give the fur a realistic look. The painter made the cat’s shine a fantastic yellow. The painter finished with the cat’s tail lying across Jason’s arm. He signed his name at the bottom.

“Done!” the painter announced. Jason stood up and walked over. He nodded and smiled.

“It’s great!” Jason exclaimed. “Aren’t you one good looking cat Ziggy?”

Jason held the black cat up to see it. “Your payment will come soon sir! You’ve done amazing work!”

“Thank you Mr. Paige. I hope both you and your cat enjoy it!”

Once he left, the painter glanced at his reflection in the window. It was obvious his hair was graying at an alarming rate. Wrinkles creased his face, and his eyes were more shadowed over. The painter sighed.