"Joe, your painting is exquisite."
For once, it wasn't his mom. It was his girlfriend, the assistant curator of the Museum of Modern Art, and that was much better. If she liked his paintings, she had the strings to get him into art studios around the nation.
"Thanks, Kim. You really think so?"
"Your originality with impressionism gives it a fresh face. People will love what you're doing with it. Do you have others?"
"Not much with impressionism. I've just started to dabble in it, but...."
He gave her his best winning smile.
"Would you like to see my portfolio?"