https://www.azquotes.com/quote/961556
Happiness not only needs no justification, but it is also the only final test of whether what I am doing is right for me. Only of course happiness is not the same as pleasure; it includes the pain of losing as well as the pleasure of finding.
When Mary joined her art class she found there was a very interesting man called Brian who came from Burnley. Brian’s work was excellent although none of the students adventured beyond Constable in their paintings. But then who could go beyond Constable?
But why should dear old people be made to confront modern and post modern thoughts and feelings? Even Gustav Munch was really beyond the pale. Was he trying to warn us?
I suppose that people like to retain the idea of the world as in some sense orderly and beautiful with patterns that can be discovered by scientists or artists. The idea that these patterns are not real that they may be imposed by us and that now we no longer have the strength or faith to do that is a subject for discussion Mary decided.
These people had lived through world war II and had served their country like Brian who had worked on radar in the Edison light bulb factory in Eastern Enfield.
The Germans were not totally deceived by it being called a light bulb factory and the area was bombed heavily; fortunately Brian’s landlady had a very strong house with a cellar so the dear man had been saved
Mary was nervous because unlike the other students she had only taken up art when she was almost 60 years old. But anyone who does that is very brave she told herself sensitively.
But it’s not always a bad thing to be nervous.. perhaps it’s essential to be so every time you start a fresh creation
After spending half an hour looking at the blank sheet of drawing paper Mary took up pencil and began to sketch the seabird made of wood that she had taken with her to the class that morning.
Are we meant to put the shadows in she asked Deli the art teacher
Yes do. Shadows as re what make things real as Jung certainly saido maybe in a different language. No not Chinese,Margaret.
Actually once Mary started it wasn’t as frightening as she had imagined. And soon it was time for the coffee break
In the kitchen of the ancient and beautiful house the student sat round a large pine table to drink their instant coffee. Mary had never realised before how much she hated it and so she thought she would pour it over some plants in pots when nobody was looking rather than waste it completely m
Brian told everyone that he had been to Morrison’s and to his surprise he found a bottle of wine there exactly the same as one he had bought at an expensive wine tasting experience he had gone to in Central London
Millicent and Mimi two old friends who lived near the Catholic church in Holbrook Green seem to feel scandalised
Did you buy any send Millicent
Of course I did said Brian. I bought three.
You should have seen the expression on Millicent’s face asshe was utterly critica of unmarried or widowed older men buying wine.
Well Mary said,Wine is very useful when you are entertaining.
And heard Brian murmur quietly.
Especially when you are entertaining yourself
He had a little grin on his very thin bony and handsome face. In the sun his hair almost looked like fuse wire. Perhaps Millicent was trying to hide her attraction towards him as no doubt he was the best looking man in the art class which wasn’t difficult because there was only one other one there the rest of the students were all female.
What a lovely sense of humour he had
Then they heard a little voice saying
I’d like to try some of that wine Brian.
They looked tound but they could not see anybody Was this the still small voice that Elijah heard on the mountain?
Then they look down the room and saw a little black cat smiling. They had never seen a cat previously but then life can be very surprising sometimes thank goodness
Emile cried Mary what on earth are you doing here?
You forgot to take your senior citizens bus pass so I thought I would come on the bus with it to meet you down here.
I’m surprised that they let you use my bus pass when you were not a human being
Well they’re so used to the madness of the current era and our government in particular that they don’t seem to notice now whether we’re people animals or even spirits from the next world.
I came in a cab, Mary revealed,because I had to carry my art materials with me.
Oh said Emile, I don’t mind going in a cab.
Millicent and Mimi were looking at Mary as if she was a complete lunatic. The truth was revealed to all
Well some people bring their partner to the art class but not many bring their cat. And a talking cat is a very rare phenomenon in Britain.
Have you brought your art materials Emile?
Mary has not bought me any art materials but if you let me have some of your paint I can make a picture using my paws.
No said Deli. We can’t risk getting pains on these wonderful old floors.
Don’t worr I’ve got some.socks I can put on after I finished the painting
Or I could borrow some pastels
Mary already had a stramge reputation among the old folks so now they’re thought she was completely bonkers but the truth was that Emile was worried that Mary was falling in love with Brian and Emile did not want Mary to find a new partner unless he was absolutely certain this man would accept him as an equal in the houshould
I hate to say this said the art teacher to Mary but your cat is better at art than you are!!
Well it certainly looks post modern Mary answered. Do you think that people would buy these?
Saatchi maybe? Or maybe the king would like to buy one?
Well you never know do you?
It takes all sorts to make a world
And so say all of us
Will anyone buy Emile’s picture?
You have to wait 10 years for the next exciting instalment to be published. Why not write it yourself so that you can put your own experience in as you may have an even more strange story than Mary’s
How my heart sings 