Welcome back to the Advent of Smouse,
Chapter 11,
Vera Black.
After seeing Mentor and Smouse,
Vera Black heads straight for her studio.
She is a talented artist with a strong following.
Her work in acrylics is harsh and aggressive.
Since drawing Smouse,
Her whole mindset has changed.
Yesterday with Mentor at her feet,
She discovered a brand new world.
Her usual harsh-edged realistic work and social comment was transformed.
Her blacks,
Greys and whites became a semi-abstract background for the most subtle,
Sensitive,
Colourful images interwoven with delicate calligraphy.
Even now when she looks at the large canvas,
She can't believe it's hers.
Tonight,
She once again has this strange feeling as she prepares her papers.
Her line drawings of Mentor are full of life.
She has no difficulty in capturing her image.
But she is having trouble in transferring her new ideas to canvas.
She also has this strange urge to use watercolours.
Several times she sets up her easel and begins to paint.
The acrylics just won't take.
Frustrated,
She whitewashes another canvas and searches for her watercolour paper and paints.
Time flies as the paints flow.
She is so absorbed in her work that she doesn't hear her family return.
Contrary to the rule,
They enter her studio.
Wow!
Perrie and X are transfixed,
Stunned by the very large new canvas.
Even Martin Black is speechless.
It is beautiful,
Nothing like a normal black painting.
Against a semi-abstract backdrop in greys,
Black and white,
Depicting the recent bushfires,
Are two very young children.
So vividly portrayed that they almost leap off the canvas.
Rays of sunlight catch their wondrous expressions as they discover the first shoots of new life.
The contrast between the background and the highlighted children is dynamic.
Calligraphic words are woven into the background but they barely register with her children.
It's us.
Perrie and X are overwhelmed.
It's so beautiful and powerful.
Martin Black is fascinated.
My dear girl,
What has happened?
He moves behind her and places his hand affectionately on her shoulder.
Vera Black looks up from what she's doing and laughs.
She can't believe it either.
Her critics won't believe it.
It is warm and vibrant,
Spiritual and alive.
At that moment she feels meant to rub her nose against her leg.
She feels a strange warmth envelop her.
She reaches down to pat Mentor.
It's this gorgeous dog,
Marty.
She gets inside my head.
I have all these strange thoughts and feelings.
I had to paint her tonight.
Look,
No acrylics.
I had to use watercolours.
Her husband inspects her work.
Again he is totally unprepared for what he sees.
Perrie and X crowd him behind him.
They are captivated.
An unimaginable landscape flows in washes of incredible colours.
It fades into nothing at one corner.
They're in fine detail against a stark white background.
As if they are standing in the wings of a stage.
A mentor and a mouse.
What a beautiful place.
Where is it,
Mum?
X voices the question that is in all their heads.
I've no idea.
It's like it paints all by itself.
Vera Black suddenly becomes self-conscious about the ridiculousness of her comments.
She pushes her painting and equipment to one side.
Jumps up and changes the subject.
Sorry,
Time got away from me.
Have you guys eaten?
They assure her that they ate before they went out.
Good,
Let's have some supper then.
Come on,
You too,
Mentor.
She hastily ushers her family out of the studio before the words take hold.
Ah,
Yes,
Out.
Where have you all been?
She feels the gloom settle.
It follows them as they leave the studio.
She senses an uneasy truce between the children and their father.
Scat,
Who has been sleeping in her favourite chair,
Follows them.
And that's the end of Chapter 11.
I'll see you next time for Chapter 12.
