ABSTRACT LINES

creating lines

"I'm trying to find something I like about it. I can't find anything remotely captivating about this painting," he stated harshly as he stared at it.

Your attention shifted from his appearance to his face as you were a bit taken off guard by his response.

"Excuse me-"

"The lack of colors. Every single one of these paintings is exactly the same despite the different images on each. Truly a boring piece of work," he stated again as he cut you off.

"These are mine and I'm not surprised, not everyone has the level of intelligence or good eye that this collection requires." You replied calmly as you stood next to each other infront of the painting.

"Is that so? My name in the industry would beg to differ," he replied with a straight face.

"Your na-?"

"Mr.Jaeger! I'm glad you could make it, are there any pieces that have caught your eye so far?" The host interrupted as she began to shake his hand.

Shit.

Eren Jaeger, you didn't recognize him at all because you'd only known his name. He's a well-known artist and recently art critic, he only critiques art when he's not working on something himself but you'd just insulted him.

"Nothing yet has caught my eye, maybe a couple over there but I'll look around a bit more," he replied to the woman.

She nodded and walked away while he turned back to you.

"I bet you feel like an idiot," he teased.

"I do not. I said everything I meant, I would expect someone as great as yourself to be more open to the significance of black and white but I guess not," you replied sternly.

"Someone as great as me? Well thank you," he joked.

You huffed at him and walked away angrily as your heels clicked on the wooden floor loudly.

You were embarrassed and disappointed, more so disappointed that your artwork didn't leave a good impression on him but that also only made you want to work harder.

Hitch said you worked too hard but it was always for yourself, you only wanted to better yourself and your artwork so you didn't mind. You rubbed your forehead in frustration as you walked out towards your car.

You wanted to get home immediately to get a good night's rest before you'd start painting and creating concepts like crazy. Once you got home you went straight to bed, forgetting to text Hitch in the process.

The next morning you got up early and sat at your art desk. You tried coming up with ideas or sketching things out on canvases but after last night you started to feel a bit of doubt in yourself.

You couldn't let him get under your skin, he was just one person regardless of his name. You wanted to improve yet still develop your own art style. You would paint something else today and bring it to the museum, they'd been asking for more of your art anyway. You were hoping at the next exhibition Eren would appear and see how much you are capable of with your art.

Yet again, you started painting on a large canvas. Only using black and white you adding in the different tones and shades as well. You managed to make such a "two-toned" painting into multiple tones with shades of dark grey, light gray, etc. That was the message you wanted to portray, you showed how you could turn something as simple as black and white into a piece that was flooded with intricacy and emotion.

8 hours later you finally finished. You quickly got in the shower to wash any paint on your arms. You pulled your shirt over your head as you grabbed your phone and put it into your pocket. You carefully grabbed your painting and put it into your car with the intention of going to the museum. You looked back a lot to make sure your painting didn't move in the car as you finally approached and parked in the museum parking lot.

"Miss. L/N? What are you doing here?" The Museum director asked.

"I thought about what you asked me last month and have decided to showcase more of my art here so I brought this," you informed while walking through the building.

"I'm so glad! That's...stunning...wow," she complimented.

"Thank you! Where would you like it?" you asked.

"Follow me," she insisted while you walked through the museum.

"You can lay it here, I'll have the security guard hang it," she suggested.

You laid it down and began talking with her about a meeting to discuss more of your paintings.

"This is bland...again, "Eren blurted from behind you.

"Excuse me, Mr. Jaeger?" The director asked.

"Just give us a minute. I'll call you," you insisted.

She nodded and walked away while you turned to face Eren who was staring at your artwork.

"You shouldn't continue to make art if you can't handle the criticism," he blurted while standing next to you.

"You should learn the definitions of words before you use them. Calling my artwork bland is not a criticism it's an insult, so if you're going to be bold make sure to say it with your chest next time," you snapped at him.

"My fault. You're correct but it upsets me that someone with your amount of skill continues to make these same paintings. If you allow me to give you my number I'm more than willing to give you some sugg-"

"I don't think you get it. You are the only one here who doesn't see the beauty in my art, I don't need suggestions when I'm happy with what I do. Thank you but no thank you," you interrupted.

"Alright then. I come here more frequently now that I've moved here so if you ever change your mind ill be h-"

"I won't change my mind," you stated.

"I apologize if I've offended you somehow. You just have more potential than you realize but you are using it ignorantly,"

He smiled a bit as he nodded with his hands in his pockets. You turned to walk away as a security guard approached and hung your painting.