I had a dream last night. In it I had just finished a large canvas. The oils were drying as I stepped back to view the overall design. It was an old brigantine, sails billowing and prow bursting through the open sea. The sky was filled with clouds and the horizon held the promise of shelter from the storm. It was a grand thing I thought eyeing the three by four foot canvas and yet...
My aunt was in the studio, why I do not know except the law of dreams is the unexpected. She was my aunt by marriage to the artist of the family. She passed away many years ago but here she was young and vibrant as I remember from my childhood.
"What do you think?" I asked her.
She stood back appraising my efforts.
I interrupted her concentration with my statement, "I think it's probably the best I have done so far but something seems wrong. I just can't put my finger on it."
She glanced my way her face registering annoyance.
"Is it that bad?"
"Give me a minute," she said. "I kind of see what you mean. It's very good but something just seems out of sorts. I need to study it."
I left her alone in front of the easel.
Another ten minutes passed in silence. I saw her smile.
"I see it now," she said.
"Yes?" I looked over at my work.
"Look at this section," she said pointing at a portion of the ship.
"I still don't see it," came my answer.
"Look closely."
"I'm sorry. Is it in the clouds?" My puzzlement was growing.
"No!" she nearly shouted.
"Well what?" I did shout.
"There. You should always research your material. It's right there."
"Huh?"
"Your stengal's broken." With that she disappeared.
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