Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest! Author's Comments - I apologize for the long delay. Things are now back on track.
Chapter 34 – Back To The Apple Tuesday Morning…(Day 30) The clock sounded too soon announcing the morning, especially when you’ve painted most of the night, so Justin resisted rolling out of bed. He justified his resistance by mentally recounting his plans for today. First, he had the morning meeting with Catherine Mann, his new agent. Second, and most importantly, he had to purchase that futon for his studio…a key element that had been needed for some time. A round of phone sex on the studio floor, reminded Justin that this purchase could not be put off any longer. Justin couldn’t believe that he had managed in his New York studio for almost a year without that needed futon. But now as he remembered falling asleep on his studio floor before his visit to Pittsburgh and how stiff and sore he found himself the next morning, he was determined that was never going to happen again. Procrastinating, Justin tried to lie there to figure out what else he wanted to get done today. Thinking that there was no end to what he would do to delay getting out of bed, Justin had to smile to himself. After a few more minutes, Justin’s conscience took over, and he begrudgingly rolled out of his comfortable bed, and headed for the kitchen to start the coffee. Justin opened his refrigerator, and immediately added to his mental to do list…clean out the refrigerator and pick up a few groceries. Justin tended not to keep a lot of food in the refrigerator to begin with, but anytime you’re away for two weeks, refrigerator maintenance and restocking are mandatory. Justin’s to do list now had four tasks. Setting the coffee aside to brew, Justin took a quick shower and got dressed. Somehow a meeting with his new agent required more than his usual paint stained cargo pants and tee shirt. As Justin got dress in tailored slacks and sweater, he thought to himself that Brian would be pleased. Looking at himself in the mirror, Justin reminded himself that he was a confident artist on the rise, preparing for a routine meeting with his agent. No big deal! An hour later, Justin stepped off the elevator and walked into the office of Mann & Associates. After a quick glance at the name on the nameplate at the receptionist desk, Justin prepared to introduce himself. “Good morning, may I help you,” asked the voice that was much too cheery for this hour of the morning. “Hi, I’m Justin Taylor. I have an appointment with Catherine Mann.” “I’m Linda, Mr. Taylor. I’m Ms Mann’s assistant. She is expecting you. I’ll let her know that you’re here. Can I get you coffee or anything?” “Thanks Linda, I’m fine.” Linda lifted the phone and announced Justin’s arrival. “Please have a seat, Ms. Mann with be right with you.” Justin made himself comfortable in one of the nearby chairs and started mindlessly scanning the latest issue of Art Forum. Within minutes, a tall stately woman with black hair and green eyes appeared. She was dressed in a designer pantsuit that was impeccably tailored to fit her thin frame. Justin immediately thought that he was face to face with the feminine equivalent of Brian…the words ‘dressed to impress’ crossed his mind, and Justin smiled. “Well Justin, you decided to leave the wilds of Pittsburgh and return to your realm and civilization,” she teased. “It’s good to have you back. Follow me?” Justin followed Catherine down to her office. Once there they both made themselves comfortable in the available chairs. “Gee Catherine, I was only gone for a few weeks,” Justin responded, “I couldn’t have missed very much, after all, I was only a phone call away.” “Just teasing you, Justin. I’ll admit that it’s been refreshing to have a client that isn’t camped on my doorstep night and day. However, judging by this,” she said holding up a folder of papers, “I would say that you’ve been quite busy.” “What’s that?” Justin curiously asked, trying to read label on the folder upside down. “It’s your contract for the Cincinnati Art Gallery. They revised everything to reflect your elevated status to featured artist. Congratulations, by the way! And, according to their cover letter, the contract reflects the increased fees for you to remain extra days as Visiting Artist in Residence.” “So it’s all there in writing.” “They must have been quite impressed with you. After all, when I sent you out there, it was just to meet with Tyler Larson to discuss participating in the emerging artists exhibit for the opening. They must have been quite impressed to have added all these other things.” “I was quite surprised too.” “That’s all a tribute to your talent. Well, you might as well take a look at the contract. Be sure that you and your attorney review everything. Let me know if you have questions or anything needs to be changed.” “I can do that.” “How is the painting going?” Catherine had to ask. “Now you have not only the New York show but the Cincinnati opening as well. Those are two major shows happening really close together. Are you going to be ready?” “Not a problem. I managed to get a few pieces done while I was in Pittsburgh. They’re still in my studio there. I’m working on few pieces here in my New York studio as well.” “It’s good to know that you’re keeping busy.” “You have done quite a few shows here in New York over the last year. I’ve been in touch with a few of the galleries where you had previously exhibited. The fact that you sell out at all your shows is a definite plus. It seems that several of the galleries are requesting that you submit works to them on an ongoing basis.” “You’re kidding? That’s wonderful!” “When I contacted the galleries, it seems that they were always interested, but for some reason they were just slow in making the necessary phone calls to ask for your work. Now you know why there are so many starving artists here in New York City. The fact that you now have an agent seems to make things easier for the owners. It’s as if your work suddenly became much more marketable. You and I know that isn’t the case, but perception is everything.” “Brian seems to have mentioned that.” “Oh yes, Brian…your partner. I understand he’s in Pittsburgh. I’m looking forward to meeting him. Does it get to New York often?” “Periodically. We’ve managed with this arrangement for about year now, and we still manage to see each other.” “I see,” Catherine said with a knowing smile. “ I forgot to ask, how did the project go? When you told me you were leaving town, you indicated you were going back to work on a project. Did you finish the project? How did it go?” “The project is ongoing, but my part is probably over. I would say things went very well.” “You’re a person of many talents, aren’t you? You always seem to have so much going on. Tell me again, why you need an agent? I would like to think I’m going to earn my fees,” Catherine teased. “As you said, having an agent makes dealing with the New York galleries so much easier. I’m sure these galleries wouldn’t be asking for continual submissions without your efforts.” “Well, maybe you’re right,” Catherine finally admitted. “I may have had something to do with it.” They both laughed. “Have you heard anything about your nomination for the Bronze Quill?” Catherine asked nonchalantly. Then, she waited for Justin’s reaction. Justin was completely shocked by the question. “How did you find out about that?” he asked. “I shouldn’t have had to ‘find out about that’. You should have told me.” Catherine insisted, no bothering to hide her displeasure. “Did I fail to mention that? Since it’s for website design and had nothing to do with my painting, I really didn’t think it was relevant.” Justin tried to explain in his own defense. “If I’m going to be your agent…everything about you relevant. I don’t like surprises, Justin.” “Sorry. I just didn’t think it was important. It won’t happen again.” “Let’s hope not. Now is there anything else I should know about?” “I guess I should tell you that I have been invited to apply for the emerging artist exhibit at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana this summer.” There was a moment of silence. “Excuse me? What did you just say?” Catherine asked, speaking as if she were in a fog. She realized that she couldn’t possibly have heard what she thought she heard. She had no choice but to ask that whatever had been said…be repeated. Justin took a breath and slowly repeated himself. “I have been invited to apply for the emerging artist exhibit at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana this summer.” “Are we talking about THE Pinacoteca Ambrosiana…as in the art gallery… as in Milan?” “Is there another?” “That show is coming up soon. Are you going to participate?” “Catherine, listen to me very carefully. I have not been asked to be in the show. I’m merely being given an opportunity to apply…to apply…to apply. There is no guarantee that I will be accepted. My work has to be reviewed the gallery’s artistic panel.” “Justin you’ve been in Pittsburgh for two weeks. How did this happen? Did Brian take you on a romantic holiday to Milan? Give me all the details? Don’t leave anything out,” Catherine insisted sounding more like Emmett than the polished professional she truly was. “Through an unusual set of circumstances, I happened to meet Signor Pietro Marani…” Catherine had to interrupt, “Pietro Marani as in il direttore di Pinacoteca Ambrosiana?” “Yes, and Pietro was in Pittsburgh and saw some of my paintings. He then offered me the opportunity TO APPLY for consideration to be in the exhibit.” “Justin, did I just hear you refer to the director of the gallery by his first name?” “Yes, he insisted on that when I met him.” “Justin, I’m truly honored that you have asked me to be your agent. I want you understand that. But, you seem so capable of managing your career. I’m not even sure that you actually need me,” Catherine teased with a laugh. “However, I want you to know I’m going to enjoy collecting my exorbitant fees.” They both shared a laugh. “But seriously Justin, don’t you think that you should wait a few years…before you attempt to go international? Don’t you think that you should conquer New York first? You haven’t been here in the city that long? You haven’t had your first solo show here yet.” “Catherine, this is only an opportunity to apply. There is no guarantee that I will be accepted. But you have to admit it is an amazing opportunity.” “There’s no denying that! But, why subject yourself to additional stress at this time in your life? Your career is just taking off here in New York. You’re starting to get commissions from galleries. How are you going to take advantage of all the myriad of opportunities opening up to you here in New York and still prepare an application for Milan?” “I’ll manage. It’s simply an opportunity. I believe I would be foolish to turn down the chance to apply. What do I have to lose?” “It’s not a matter of what you have to lose…it’s a question of the greatest chance for success. I believe you have the greatest chance for success if you just focus. I think you should focus on what’s going on here in New York. You should save the international exhibit until another time, later in your career. And then in a few years…” “I see.” “Justin, you’re still young. What’s your hurry?” “Catherine, this was not something I sought out. I was asked to apply. It is merely an opportunity for exposure…a chance for people to see my work. This opportunity feels like my first art show back when I was in high school. That show let me know that I wanted to try to be an artist. Milan just feels like something I should try. No matter what the outcome.” “Will you at least think about what I have said?” “I will think about it, but don’t be surprised if I don’t change my mind.” “All right,” Catherine said in defeat. “I guess I can accept that. Now that we have that settled we need to schedule a few meetings with gallery owners.” “Oh yes, I forgot to ask you. You’ve been working on those commissions from your Santa Barbara show.” “Yeah.” “Where do things stand?” “I completed most of those commissions before I left for Pittsburgh. I have two more painting to be done, and I have been in touch with the clients. So that’s not a problem. I will probably complete them when I return to Pittsburgh.” “So the Santa Barbara show worked out for you?” “Well, I would say it was a plus. You became my agent. I earned enough money so I don’t have to wait tables for a while. I can simply focus on my art. It’s really a good feeling. Yes, I would say that the Santa Barbara show was good for me.” “You seem so content to participate in shows outside of New York. That’s both a plus and a minus, you know.” “I know.” “Galleries outside of New York are always clamoring for New York artists to exhibit there. Most artists here would rather wait for their chance to exhibit at the local galleries here. You, on the other hand, get a lot more exposure. The downside is that sometimes the New York galleries don’t take you seriously. But then again, your reputation is solid here in the City so that really isn’t going to be a problem for you.” “You’ve got to admit I get a chance to experiment with new techniques in the shows outside of New York. I was able to do these out of town shows outside the radar of critics.” “Justin, sweetie, how do I tell you this?” Catherine said, starting to laugh. “What?” “Justin, you’re now what we call a ‘hot property’. Everything that you do…everything that you paint…everything you sketch from now on… will be watched by critics. Your days of anonymity are over,” Catherine said with a laugh. “I don’t see what’s so funny,” Justin said innocently, sounding more like Michael than himself. Like Michael, Justin failed to see the humor in the situation…especially when it occurred at his own expense. “You create a stir in the artistic community, and then you think that you can slink back into obscurity. I’m sorry. I really think that’s really funny. You know, I’m going to really love being your agent. Working with you is going to be a challenge.” “I’m so glad to hear that,” Justin said, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. “So, let’s go over the list of galleries clamoring for your work. Then I can firm up some appointments for you.” “That sounds like a plan.”