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Godhead of the institution,
my teacher, dedicated to the Way
of Art, has limitless time
before and after classes,
provided you are a protegé
remaking his kind of image.
What is preached: perspective,
get the values right, carefully
block each shape.
I like to paint
with overlapping layers,
splatter, not measure—No!
He began to paint over my painting.
Art School, no garden of Eden,
but am I cast out even here?
Months later,
no feedback, just frowns.
As in Genesis, God
favoured brother Abel.
It made no difference what
Cain’s offerings were—
they came from Cain.
*
I found the loophole:
do not sign the paintings
(hide the mark of name).
Before critique, set up,
then disappear;
return for viewing.
The judgment came down,
the unknown artist—praised.
The colours, though garish,
showed mastery of light and shade,
and despite the transgression
from standard greys, browns and olives,
the committee decided
to display the paintings.
He was furious when he found out.
Cain's
Painting
by Clara Blackwood
from: Visitations,
©2004
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