I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about art.
Yesterday I stopped by my brother Val’s office/house downtown. I’ve always loved this large stick style home. He purchased it around 1910 and has done a remarkable job of keeping it up over the years when so many Victorian and Craftsman style homes went into disrepair.
Val’s office is on the bottom floor. The second floor is a comfortable space where Val keeps his official home address. On the third floor is an apartment occupied by a couple of college students.
Neither one of the young men, now in their third year of college, would have been able to go to school away from home without the horrible nightmare of college loans had it not been for Val’s Home Away From Home (so they call it.)
I’m not completely sure where he found Colton and Luke. I think Val met Colton studying in the old cemetery or something along those lines and the other kid came along. Colton was worried he’d have to move home and transfer schools and majors, or maybe just drop out. In exchange for rent they watch the place when Val is gone, do yard work and house cleaning, and keep their grades up.
The boys aren’t Vampires either, and they have no idea about Val. All they know is that Val is exceptionally cool and a little different.
Anyway, I was at Val’s thinking about art. Luke showed me some sketches he’d done of some friends of his on his way out to classes at UC Davis (a short trip across the causeway.) The kid is good. I’m ready to beat the crap out of anyone who discourages him.
Val was at his big desk with his computer checking all kinds of financial stuff I know nothing about. I looked up on the wall at his Maynard Dixon painting. It was of a woman wrapped in a shawl looking in profile towards a gold and orange landscape.
“You should donate that to the museum,” I said. “It is a hidden uncatalogued gem.
“Maybe. I haven’t had it that long.”
“You bought it from the artist. How old can it be?”
“Sometime in the 30’s. A mere matter of days for the typical Vampire.” He smiled and gave me that amused look that makes the girls all melt. Well except me because I’m his sister and I know his tricks.
“Why don’t you donate some of your art Juliette? God knows you’ve got it coming out of your ears.”
“I can’t. Not yet. I’m too attached. And I need more. I always need more art.”
Val laughed. I continued. “I bid on something for the art auction, you know the one for public television. I’m spending at least one day a week at the museum. Clara is taking an art history class so we’re talking about a lot of art. That isn’t a bad thing mind you. I’m also working on my art again. I’m also reading a book about art. My house is full of art. I’m going to go into an art coma.”
“Is that a bad thing?” My brother looked at me as if I’d lost my mind.
“No Val, it isn’t a bad thing. It is a good thing. I’m just kind of overwhelmed. And I don’t have a Burning Question for Saturday.”
He told me to make it about art. We thought about it and threw around a lot of really stupid ideas, which is par for my Burning Questions feature.
I’ll think of something, or use one of our ideas.
Around that time Luke came rambling downstairs to say hello to Val. He was a typical twenty year old male with that sort of cute and, always together, always smart, and always on the verge of some sort of disaster look. It was charming.
“The outside lightbulbs are out, on the front and back porches.” said Luke. “Do you have any extras?”
“Sure. In the second story hall closet, next to the laundry room.”
“Thanks. Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead,” said my brother.
“You kind of like the dark don’t you. I know you aren’t cheap so it isn’t the electricity bill you’re worried about,” said Luke.
“Good observation,” said Val. “Glad you asked. My eyes are sensitive to the light and I just need to rest them.”
“Makes sense. OK I’ll change those bulbs, then I have to study.”
“On a Friday?” I asked.
“For a bit. I’m going out later. There’s a movie at the Tower, Sisters Brothers or something like that. I’m going with Madeline.” Then he gave a shy smile.
Val slipped him a couple of twenties. We talked for a little bit longer.
Val and I are very old. It is always good to be around the very young.
But now my old brain must think up a Burning Question for October 6. It will be something about art – that thing which has twisted up my heart and soul for as long as I can remember.
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Allegory of Painting, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
