Paint A Picture (Left #2)

Chapter 9

My shift started this morning at ten, and a few tourists have made their way through the gallery. Now that it's noon, I can finally take my lunch break.

I've been working at the Glacous Art Gallery for almost two years now and have loved every second of being surrounded by art. Over the years I've gotten use to working the reception desk, even though I find it hard to talk to strangers, but my coworker, Ana, has definitely helped.

Ana is an older lady with grandchildren a few years younger than me, but she still manages to act like she's in her twenties. She's always trying to get me to loosen up and have fun when I prefer to stay quiet and just admire my surroundings, but I appreciate her so much. She makes work fun even when she tries to set me up with any guy my age that comes to the gallery.

During my break, I quickly eat my yogurt and sandwich so I can spend the rest of the time walking around the gallery. My absolute favorite part about this job is getting these small breaks to just admire the art that hangs along the walls and imagine my own work hanging up there one day.

Glacous Art Gallery is known for their extravagant and large works that are hard to look away from. Even if you have looked at a painting over-and-over again, you can still find new details that you didn't notice before. The best part is that majority of the paintings and art are done by less well-known artists. Some artists can even get a whole section dedicated to their work if their well-known enough.

So many aspiring artists come to the gallery to meet with the manager and coordinator to present their portfolio to get their work hung up. Most are looking to get that one-night deal where there's a whole event to introduce a new artist to the area. Their art is completely hung along one giant wall for people to admire, and a lot of rich investors of the gallery attend.

I want so bad to get my one night, but I have never gotten the courage to walk into my manager, Georgia's, office and present my portfolio. For one, I still need to finish and make my portfolio perfect, but it feels almost impossible to achieve when my standards are too high for myself.

I know everyone around me would tell me to go for it, but I haven't really told anyone about this dream. I'm afraid that if I do, it makes it more real and will end in me getting my heartbroken and dreams crushed. That just doesn't sound fun to me.

When I finally make it back to the reception desk after my break, Ana is there finishing up her own lunch. I take my seat after greeting her and log back into the computer that records all the ticket sells and the schedule.

The glass front door opens as a young man, who looks to be in his late twenties, walks in with large folder and nervous smile on his face. Since Ana is still chewing her chips, I have to greet him as he comes up to the desk.

"Hi, I'm Coen Thatcher. I have an appointment with Mrs. Hartford," he states bouncing on his feet, which seems to be a nervous habit of his.

"Okay, let me just check the schedule and see if she's ready for you," I respond back and he smiles back.

While I'm pulling up the schedule and calling Georgia from her office, Ana decides to speak up, "Are you presenting your work today?"

"Yes, I'm really nervous." Yet another artist achieving the dreams that I'm too scared to go after.

"Nonsense," Ana waves her hand in dismissal to her nervousness. "You'll do great. As long as you are confident it your work, then it will be a piece of cake in there."

"Thanks." This time his smile gets even bigger, which I didn't believe was even possible. He hasn't stopped smiling since he walked in. I'm pulled away from their conversation when Georgia answers and says that I can go ahead send him back.