The Shadow Painter

Chapter 01 : Unleashing the Shadows

Hello everyone, this is my first book. I hope you will like the book😊.

From childhood I always have found my comfort, my solace in Paintings. Being an introvert I always find it hard to communicate with my fellow classmates. Though I have friends but very few. As a result, Canvas became my best friend. Brushes became my words and paints became my emotions and the painting that I created became the picture of my thoughts.

Some paintings showcase the artist's skills and creativity , while others depict stillness of life. Some have magic to portray the characters, some paintings showcase the beauty of nature. Some have a dreamlike imagination to them. In all, painting is a game of light and shadows. And being an Artist I find myself enjoying this game of light and shadows. 

In the quiet solitude of my art studio, I lose myself in the dance of light and dark. With each brushstroke, I pour my heart and soul onto canvas, expressing emotions beyond grasp of language. I never knew my art would control a mysterious power, a power that goes beyond boundaries of paint and brush.

It began one rainy evening in my dimly lit studio. I was working on a landscape, trying to capture the essence of a beautiful moonlit forest that stretched outside my window. I had always been drawn to the play of light and shadow, but that night, something extraordinary happened. As my brush touched the canvas, I felt an unexplainable rush of energy course through me. The shadows in the painting seemed to flicker and tremble, almost as if they were alive.

Unknown to the consequences that were waiting for me ahead, I continued to paint. My curiosity has already thrown out my fear and wariness out of the window. With each brushstroke, the shadow deepened, as if the world inside the painting was trying to breathe. I could see the trees sway in the breeze, their branches casting long, fragile shadows that reached out to me like ghostly arms.

Fear mingled with fascination as I stepped closer to the canvas, trying to touch the shadow. My hands were trembling but I couldn't resist the urge to touch the shadows. The moment my fingers made contact, the boundaries between art and reality blurred. I felt a sudden pull , as if painting were trying to claim me, pulling me into its world.

I stumbled back, heart pounding , gaze still stuck to my creation with new found awe. What I had stumbled upon? What power have I unleashed through this creation?

It was thrilling and terrifying to understand that I held the power to shape reality with a single brushstroke.

Now I am just looking at my painting that just moments ago tried to pull me in its world. The shadows are trembling as if it is telling me to believe that they are alive. I was in a dilemma, when I heard a knock at my door.

While still in a state of wonder, I opened the door to my mother's concerned face. " Am I disturbing you? "

I quickly composed myself , " No, not at all mom, I was just lost in my thoughts."

My mother stepped inside, glancing at my painting at easel. " Another masterpiece , I see ". She said with a warm smile. " You have been spending long hours in the studio lately. Are you taking good care of yourself ?"

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell her my recent discovery, " Mom, something strange happened tonight while I was painting. The shadows in my art, they felt alive, like they were reaching out to me."

My mother was listening attentively, but I could clearly see a mix of surprise and concern crossing her mind. " Sweetheart, it's not unusual for artists to get deeply immersed in their work. Your upcoming exhibition is around the corner and you are working tirelessly. Perhaps you are imagining these due to exhaustion."

I considered mom's words but couldn't shake off the feeling of unexplainable power that I experienced. " Maybe you're right." I replied.

"Promise me you'll take a break and get some rest," my mother said, touching my shoulder gently. "You're a talented artist, and your paintings are breathtaking. But don't forget to take care of yourself too."

After bidding mom goodnight, I returned to my painting. Doubt lingered in my mind, but I decided to take my mother's advice and get some rest. If only I had an idea of what was waiting for me ahead.

Hope you've enjoyed the first chapter! I'd love to hear your thoughts, so don't forget to vote and leave a comment.

Stay tuned for second part, coming soon!

(I do not own the images. All image credits goes to their respective owner.)