He has grown old at this marketplace table. One day, we were young and easy, running in the narrow allies; the next, he was shackled to his brush.
“Chrysanthemums sell best,” he says, a flick of his hand tracing the stem of his eighth gaudy flower. “And waves, Hokusai waves.”
I notice the slightness of his wrist. As if all the meat has boiled away, leaving only a skeleton that paints and paints.
“Oh, that’s beautiful,” a woman says to her beau. “Let’s buy it.”
And my old friend’s face brightens in a smile, skin stretched parchment thin.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Dear Neil,
I also noticed the Hokusai wave. Love the descriptions and as an artist, found “shackled to his brush” wonderfully disturbing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Thin edge … suffer for the love of beauty.
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Thanks so much, Trish
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A tough life and existence. Your words describe it beautifully. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Terveen
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Brilliant descriptions of the artist.
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Thanks so much, Jilly
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There is a cost to pursuing any art. Your metaphor that describes the man’s wrist, “As if all the meat has boiled away, leaving only a skeleton that paints and paints,” is a wonderful way of expressing that.
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Thanks so much, Penny
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I don’t think the friend really understands the artist who loves to give joy, who loves his art. The friend sees shackles that aren’t there. Beautifully written.
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Perhaps the friend knows he’d rather be painting what he likes?
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You describe the artist and his struggle beautifully. Good one
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Thanks so much
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Much like writing – between writing what you like, and what you think a agent or publisher might actually be interested in. As wit any compromise – does anyone win?
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You raise a good point, Iain. I think, in this case, the main thing is that he makes a living
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He is a passionate artist, wedded to his job.
Am sure he is so dedicated that he forgets to eat. Hope all his art works are sold and he eats well so that he can paint many many more to bring smiles.
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He gets by, I think
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Though he’s been doing it forever, he’s still fresh with his passion to paint. Good for him. I like how you describe the gentleman.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re welcome, Neil.
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My first reading, I misunderstood – I felt that he was a slave… then I realised he almost is one. A slave to his art. I guess if he is happy, that is what counts.
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Good second reading, Dale
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🙂
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Such a wonderful arrangement or well-chosen words. Nicely done, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Bill
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“shackled to his brush” has so much more an elegant feel to it than being “shackled to a keyboard”. Lovely, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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There is a sense of eternity and joy from this, showing a dedication to his work
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Interesting. I see him a little differently. I think his dedication may be mostly about the need to clothe and feed himself
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The image you created is just so lovely it’s beyond words. Mentally, I was right there, seeing the old man expertly painting flowers.
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Thanks so much, Bear
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At least he still loves his work.
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There is that
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I love this. You took my young student and speed-warped him into old age. And art is still his passion 🙂
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Thanks so much, Linda
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Imprisoned by his passion. An intriguing tale Neil.
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Thanls so much, Keith
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It’s a very sad thing that he’s lost the joy of his art in the struggle to make ends meet. Shackled to his brush and that last line especially say so much.
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That is the sadness I was trying to suggest. Thank you, Brenda
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Love the “skeleton that only paints and paints” and how the woman’s interest in the painting is so oblivious to the painter.
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Thank you for seeing that
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You painted a wonderful scene with your words.
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Thanks so much, Michael
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beautifully concluded. great
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Thanks so much
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Although he seems content I sense a hint of desperation to sell his work – he’s obviously not eating enough.
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He is under some pressure, yes
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The good ‘ol starving artist.
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Yes, a bit of a trope, I know
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Excellent description of a life that hasn’t gone as planned while still retaining the drive to continue.
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Thanks so much
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Fascinating. At least he gets paid for his work, but is it worth it I wonder? The descriptions of shackles and a weak, pained smile suggest it is not. Well done. A lot going on between lines here.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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A beautiful and sensitive description of the reality of all too many. So well done!
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Thanks so much
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good for him. like carlyle would say, blessed is the man who has found his work; let him ask no other blessedness.
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Thank you
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That isn’t my view of a career. I wonder how many years he enjoyed it. When did it become a burden? Or perhaps it did not.
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I think he did what he had to do
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An interesting slice of life with just a hint of the macabre to it, as I was reading it. Maybe it’s just me, but I got this feeling like the painting might just be cursed. Such a fascinating take on the prompt.
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I think the curse was probably your contribution, but I liked it
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