ARROW - 148. Chapter 148

Christen showed us to Arnaud’s sitting room. There we found Jean and Roger discussing painting styles and if it was possible for someone who was an excellent artist in one style to be an excellent artist in an another style. As we walked into the room, “In my experience students of cubism are not as proficient at painting as the Masters. They don’t see the fine distinction in the Masters. Think about a painting featuring cubism, the lines are objects with no strict definition.”

“Ahh, here is Armand. Let’s ask him?”

“We are discussing various painting styles. You have chosen the style which we call the Masters, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio. What made you choose that style?”

“It was easy. I tried a few drawings in the cubist style. When I showed my mom and art teacher in school, they wanted to know what I was my intention. My purpose in such abstract painting. That was when I decided to follow the Masters. I feel comfortable painting as I am doing. I can show emotions, realty and as a cubist, I couldn’t do that.”

“There are artist who have been acclaimed as genius as cubists.”

“That is okay, if someone prefers cubist style painting, they are welcome to support those artists.”

“Arnaud, you picked Armand to paint Christen, what would his painting be if a cubist painted it?”

I watched Arnaud thinking about Christen’s painting.

He was saved when the discussion ended with the arrival of Christen and his bride. “Armand, I have a request.” I knew what he wanted, a painting of his bride.

“Do you have photos?”

“Just the ones that were taken at the wedding.”

“May I see them.” He handed me a packet of photos . I’ll take these with me, and when the painting is finished, you can fly over and I’ll give you these photos back. Will that be okay?”

“Yes, I don’t want to be like my father, so what will be your fee?”

“I will do it for free if you name your first child after me and make a contribution to Uncle’s Home.”

“What is Uncle’s Home?”

“Roger can explain the Home to you.”

Before anything more could be said, we were interrupted, “Dinner is ready, Sir.”

The younger boys sat beside an older boy, Louise sat on my lap. Dinner was exceptional as I knew it would be. Arnaud chefs were all three star.

After dinner, we adjourned to the Hall, Arnaud wanted to show me my painting of Christen. Needless to say, he had it where the light from the outside showed on the painting. It really did look like it was blessed as the sunlight seemed to shine on his face.

“Armand, I want my wife’s painting to hang here, next to mine.”

“Christen, my fee is 100,000 euros, or you name your first child after me.”

“Thanks, I know what Dad went through with my portrait and I was hoping you would quote a fee. I cannot name any of my children after you. Dad can explain.

“Arnaud, which one of your family complained about Christen’s painting?”

Walking toward the end of the row of portraits, “This is my cousin. His father is my father’s youngest brother. He always feels he has been cheated out of any inheritance.”

I notice the boys looking at the paintings along the walls. “Dad, you said Uncle Arnaud had a gallery.”

“Yes, Arnaud, the boys would like to see your gallery. If you have added any new paintings, I’d be interested to see them as well.”

We followed Arnaud as he led us to his gallery. I remember the first time I was here and saw a painting by GG. I wonder if he still had it.’

As we walked along the gallery, I noticed a few pieces of cubism. “Arnaud, I didn’t think you were a follower of cubism. I see you have these two pieces. Who is the artist?”

“Do you remember me telling you I found an artist in northern Italy? I bought these two pieces . I liked the harmony of colors.”

I had to agree, the harmony of colors was attractive although I wasn’t sure of the objects of the painting.

“Dad, there are two of yours here and one of Grandma’s.”

I knew there was one of my earlier pieces here next to GG’s. I followed the boys, “Yes, that is one of the earlier paintings of mine but how do you know this painting is grandmothers?”

It was Tommy who pointed out the blue bird. I wondered how much GG has told them and how often she has visited them. It was obvious they knew abut her signature, the blue bird.

It was Louise that told us it was getting late. She became sleepy and tried to sleep with her head on my shoulder. “Arnaud, I think the young children are getting sleepy. We should be going. Christen, I’ll let you know when your painting. Is ready. We have an early flight tomorrow to Spain and then to Italy before flying home. Ronnie has football camp and we need to be home a few days before Ronny needs to show up at camp.

Arnaud called two taxi’s, one for the older boys and Colin, one for the younger boys and Louise and I,

Arriving back at the hotel, the boys split up and headed to their rooms. Colin, Louise and I headed to our room.

I checked us out in the morning. We went to the crepe restaurant for breakfast and then we headed to the airport. We were flying into Madrid where we will meet Carlos.