Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Author’s Comment: If the conversation between Justin and Sidney seems weird, chapter 37 of Talisman Of Time may help with the issue of the paintings.
Chapter 5 – Conversations Tuesday Morning…(Day 37) Justin arrived early at the Sidney Bloom Gallery to give himself time to casually see the exhibits before his lunchtime meeting with Sidney. It had been a year, and the exhibits were all new so Justin was enjoying himself. While leisurely looking over the works of the artists on display, Justin heard his name, and he turned to see Sidney Bloom approaching. “You’re early,” Sidney said with a smile and greeted Justin with a handshake. “Have you been here long?” “Hi Sidney, not really,” Justin responded. “ I just wanted to spend some time checking out your new exhibits.” “Well, what do you think?” “The exhibits are wonderful as always.” “I know it’s not New York, but we try here in our little gallery,” Sidney said with a laugh. “Why don’t you come back to the office so we can talk before we go to lunch?” Justin nodded his agreement and followed Sidney back to his office. Sidney made himself comfortable at his cluttered desk, and Justin took one of the available chairs nearby. “So how is New York?” Sidney asked, trying to stack up papers while they talked. “Tell me everything.” “I guess you know that I’ve been in New York for the last year. I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in several joint showcases at galleries in the City. I’ve gotten a few commission assignments. I’ve even managed to do a few out of town exhibits. But, I haven’t reached the point where a gallery has offered me a solo exhibit yet.” “You’re still young, Justin, give it some time. I’ve been reading about you though. The critics love you. You do seem to sell out each time that you exhibit. That’s the good news. In time you will have even more exhibits, and then the solo exhibit will come. Are you surviving ok?” “I have managed to have my own studio in the City, and I live in a small loft. And I’ve managed to sell enough paintings and do some freelance work so I haven’t had to resort to my original profession of waiting tables,” Justin added with a laugh. “I’m still drawing the comic book Rage. So I guess, all in all, I’m doing ok.” “You’re doing more than ok. You managed to do all of that your first year; you should be very proud of yourself.” Sidney commented. “So what brings you to town? And how long are you here for? “This is my first trip home in a year. I came back to work on a project for Kinnetik. I have studio space here and several upcoming shows to prepare for so I decided to just stay here for a few months and paint.” “Can you afford to be away from the city?” “I have an agent, who works to get me included shows in New York. If I didn’t have Catherine, I couldn’t pull off staying here in town as easily. As it is, I’m only an hour away, so I can fly back to the City whenever I need to for meetings and such. But right now my primary focus is preparing for the opening of the new wing at the Cincinnati Art Gallery.” “I had heard that you were going to be the featured artist. Congratulations.” “Thanks.” “And, I’m part of a joint exhibit at Thornton Galleries in New York City shortly thereafter. So with two major shows coming back to back, I guess I really am pretty busy.” “The Thornton Galleries are pretty prestigious. You have really done well for yourself in New York. I also heard about Santa Barbara. You really took ‘arts gratis artis’ (art for art’s sake) to the limit…brilliant move by the way!” “I didn’t plan it that way. But I will admit that I got a significant number of private commissions from that exhibit. I was just experimenting with new painting techniques. What I found out was that people actually liked the new stuff. I was surprised to find that it was commercially viable. I had hoped to experiment under the radar of critics, but unfortunately the media was there. Anyway, things worked out. The gallery was happy. The clients were happy. I earned enough from that show to pay for my loft and studio for a while, so all and all, things worked out…except for the fact that the press had a field day…it was good news all around.” “So what’s next for the hottest young artist around?” Sidney asked. “Several New York galleries are interested in selling my paintings,” Justin quietly admitted. “That’s every artist dream, Justin. Why do I detect that you aren’t exactly thrilled?” Sidney asked, now stopping everything else to give Justin his undivided attention. “I love doing the shows. I love that I get to explain my work and talk to the attendees. I will admit that I have been fortunate that all my paintings sell out during shows.” “Then what’s the problem?” “I’m not sure that I want to go into production mode and be required to produce ‘x’-amount of paintings per month. Producing paintings for shows is one thing, but just producing paintings that just randomly hang in galleries and hope that they sell, is something entirely different.” “The thing is that for a show, you usually only have a limited number of paintings to exhibit. By producing the paintings for the galleries, your body of work would expand. Clients of the gallery, who didn’t get chance to acquire your paintings during the shows would get chance to make a purchase at a later point. The theory is that having these galleries sell your paintings…you’ll be able to live off your art.” “I do understand that part.” “You know that so much of the dealings between artist and gallery are informal…so just be sure that you’re clear about what you want out of the deal, and be sure that everything is in writing. Besides, painting like this, will help you build up that body of work, so that when someone offers you that solo exhibit you will be ready. I just wanted to present to you the other side of the argument. Believe me, I see your point though. No artist wants to be told what to paint and when to paint it. So you want to be sure to negotiate carefully in this regard.” “Thanks, that’s what I needed to hear.” “So now that you have heard, are you going to give me a guided tour of your website?” “Sidney.” “Oh, I know, I could surf it alone, but who could pass up the chance to have the guided tour by the artiste himself?” Sidney teased with a smile. Justin was more than glad to oblige with the guided tour of his website. Sidney periodically would interrupt with questions, but basically the two were content to click through Justin’s website images and descriptions. “Justin, your website is outstanding. Not just for the content, but I like the way that you have laid it out. A person could just linger here for hours looking at your work. It’s as close as you can get the gallery experience without actually walking through the gallery halls.” “Thank you. I have been doing some freelance work, designing websites for clients in New York. So I guess I tried to incorporate what I had learned into my own site.” “Well, you did a great job. You’re very talented Justin. You’re going to have a great career. You just have to be patient.” Justin noticed the time, “I guess it’s getting late, and I did promise you lunch.” “I made a reservation at the restaurant nearby. I hope you like Italian.” “Perfect.” “And while we’re having lunch, maybe we can discuss the possibility of a future exhibit here at the gallery.” “What? I’m flattered Sidney, but that wasn’t the purpose of my visit.” “I know that. You already have a following here in Pittsburgh, so you have to admit it’s not a big stretch. I know that you have a rather full calendar at the moment, but I just wanted to extend the offer. We can work out the details later. After all, your talent isn’t going anywhere.” Sidney said with laugh. “But for now, I’m hungry. Let’s go to lunch!” While Justin and Sidney had lunch they chatted easily, and Justin now had a better sense of how he wanted to handle things with Catherine and the New York galleries. *** Later Tuesday Afternoon…(Day 37) Brian and Cynthia were going through the research data on The Pentland Group in preparation for Brian’s upcoming meeting in New York with Andrew David. “Just be sure to talk about their websites,” Cynthia suggested in conclusion. “I will if the opportunity presents itself,” Brian confirmed with a laugh. “I guess I should use the words, ‘I have it on good authority that your websites need the Kinnetik touch’…is that what you mean?” “Are you done? You know, I’m right. You just don’t want to admit it.” Brian decided to change the subject. “Were you able to work out the reservation problems and Gus?” Brian casually asked. “It took some doing, but I got everything worked out,” Cynthia confirmed. “Good job as always.” “Thanks.” “Now that I have your attention, I need to talk to you about something,” Brian hesitantly began. “Sure, what’s on your mind?” “First of all. I want everything on Collezione Fiero to come off ahead of schedule.” “I know. Ted told me about that. All departments are working on it. You and Justin did the majority of the work before the presentation. We’re working on refining the script for the commercial that you created. We’re dealing with agents for actors and film crews. Location sites are being scouted. Everything is on target.” “Good.” “Part of the reason that you’re flying into New York on your way back is because you have meetings with Eyeconics and Liberty Air scheduled. Both of them asked to meet with you. New York seemed to be the best location rather than Pittsburgh.” “Do you have any idea what’s going on?” “They each just asked for a meeting.” “Ok. I wish I had more time before my trip, but I guess I’ll just have to be brilliant on short notice,” Brian quipped. Then his expression changed. “Cynthia, I need to talk to you about something else.” “Sure.” “I have Theodore working on this. He’s going to see if we can make it happen. I’m thinking of opening the New York office of Kinnetik,” Brian began then paused to let the idea sink in. “When?” Cynthia asked. She wasn’t surprised by this latest development, in fact she had been expecting as much ever since Justin had moved to New York, but she knew Brian was cautious and would make the move in his own time. “Sometime within the next four months. That means that this office needs to be fully functional in my absence, as well as the New York Office being fully staffed at that point. I’m really going to need your help to make it happen.” Brian stopped and waited for her reaction. “That’s great! You have always wanted to be in New York ever since I’ve known you. It’s risky, but then so is everything that you do. We’ve already spent the last year researching the market so it’s not as if this is a whim on your part.” “You have to admit the timing is perfect. We should be a settled and established presence in time to capture the holiday advertising season if we play our cards right.” “I’m sure one little blond artist is very happy about this decision.” Cynthia slyly commented. Brian mode became most serious. “Cynthia, this is a business decision. You’re right this is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. The fact that it makes one little blond artist happy doesn’t hurt either.” Brian admitted with a smile. “I just need to be sure the timing is right.” “This means you and Justin will pretty much really be together all the time. That will be good news for the staff…although I assume that we’re keeping this quiet for the moment,” Cynthia said with some excitement. Brian merely nodded his head in agreement. “You have to admit, you’re so much easier to deal with Justin is around.” “As you have seen, having Justin around doesn’t necessarily promote peace and tranquility in the office.” Brian said with a laugh. “So I would reserve judgment if I were you.” ‘Things may not be peaceful, but they sure are interesting,” she reminded him. Brian had to again nod his agreement with that. Then Brian sighed and an unexpected tenderness entered his voice, “I just want him to be able to paint without being harassed. Of course, my art department seems to have other ideas. I understand they have arranged to load our video conferencing software on Justin’s computer. Of course, I’m not supposed to know anything about this. So you and Theodore had better get the word back to Murph and George that I don’t want Justin disturbed unnecessarily. He has a grueling painting schedule ahead of him, and I just have to guard his time. You might mention the magic words ‘pink slip’ to get their attention.” Cynthia burst out laughing. “I’ll make sure that they get the message,” she said. “I’m surprised that there hasn’t been greater resistance to Justin being around here. I would have thought that a few people in the department would have felt threatened somehow, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.” “Brian, Justin isn’t just a pretty face, you know. He adds something to the art department. And let’s face it. His presence keeps everyone on their toes. Plus, he’s easy for everyone to work with, and they genuinely like him.” “I have noticed that. Justin was going through his packet from Milan in the art department yesterday, and everyone tried to pitch in to help him figure out every little tidbit of information. I just hung back and watched the interaction without anyone seeing me. It was interesting to watch.” “So you have resorted to lurking around the company. That is so unlike you, Brian. Justin seems to have an unique effect on everyone,” Cynthia quipped and waited for his reaction. She didn’t have to wait long. “Didn’t you say that you had work to do at your desk?” Brian suggested firmly, using his hand to point Cynthia in the direction of the door, and her office just beyond. “I’m going, I’m going. But I’ll be back. You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Cynthia added, leaving with a wave over her shoulder and a twist of her hips. Brian had to smile. *** Brian talked to Leo Brown, who once again reiterated the importance of the meeting with the Pentland Group. “Brian, this is a personal favor to me,” he reiterated. “You know Leo, I’m still trying to grasp what the importance of The Pentland Group is to Brown Athletics.” “We’re still exploring opportunities to exploit our product mixes. Brown Athletics has real opportunities here. So all you have to do is dazzle them like always, and everything will be fine. You know what to do. I’m emailing you a confidential file so you can see what I’m thinking. Just take a look…then just be you.” “I don’t suppose you want to tell me anything else?” Brian asked with a laugh. “No, my file will tell you what’s in the works. Of course, this is for your eyes only, but at least you will understand how important this could be…to all of us.” “I see. No pressure here or anything.” Brian said with a laugh. “I’ll talk to you later.” Brian knew that he had a few minutes to wait for the file, so he leaned back in his chair to try to process what he knew so far. Both Brown Athletics and Collezione Fiero were interested in negotiating some sort of cross marketing arrangement with The Pentland Group…both of these could be potentially interesting prospects. But, Andrew David had indicated he also had his own agenda to discuss with Kinnetik. There were just so many unknown variables here, and Brian liked to have a better handle on information. Brian finally shrugged his shoulders. He would simply do his homework and then, be prepared for anything. ‘Sort of like dealing with Justin,’ Brian thought to himself. Brian’s thoughts were interrupted as an unexpected visitor quietly entered his office. “Hey,” the visitor quietly said. “Hey,” Brian said in response with a smile. “What are you doing here?” he asked ever so gently for he was never happier to see someone. “I just finished lunch with Sidney,” Justin explained. “So I thought I would stop in and see you before I went home. Cynthia said that it was ok to just come on in.” Justin locked the door before walking the remaining distance to Brian’s desk. Brian smiled as he heard the click of the lock. “I just got off the phone with a client, and I’m waiting for them to send me a file,” Brian explained. “How was your lunch with Sidney?” “We talked about the ‘producing paintings for the galleries’ thing. Sidney wanted to give me the other side of the argument. So I’m glad I talked to him. He floated the idea of me participating in an exhibit at the gallery when my schedule permits. So I feel a little better about things.” Justin walked over and straddled Brian in his chair, leaning forward to give him a gentle kiss. Brian surrendered to the kiss and allowed it to deepen. They wrapped their arms around each other as the kiss turned passionate, and their tongues began the battle for dominance. “I just thought since I was nearby, I thought I would drop by to see if you were up for one of my blowjobs?” Justin suggested when they had to break for air. “That’s if you have a few minutes.” “I love the way you think,” Brian struggled to say as he tried to regain his breathing. “But we have time for a quick fuck if we move this in there,” he continued, pointing to his private washroom. “Ever the romantic!” Justin quipped, allowing Brian to tug him across the room by his collar. “After all, I have to do what I can,” Brian smirked. “You’re leaving me in the morning.”