Artistic Behavior (#Wattys2014)

Chapter One - Say what?

Chapter One -
Say what?

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I let my hand freely glide the paintbrush across the canvas, creating vibrant and dull lines of colors, soon resulting in a new favorite piece of work. As I let my brush slide up and down, left and right, an ache forms in my arm from keeping my arm up for a long time. I bite my lower lip to focus on another pain, instead of the pain in my arm. As I add a light grey to the canvas, I let a smile form across my lips.
I was a toddler, in my happy and hyper age of five, I was always outside drawing doodles in the mud or sand. And I know that may seem gross or dirty, but I was that little tomboy who didn't care whether I was messy or not, just let myself do whatever I want freely. But when I was actually introduced to art, it was when my first grade teacher led our class to the art room, and I was in complete awe when I let my eyes search acorss the room. I felt like I was in heaven. But when she told us to draw a tree, which really wasn't that hard, I took my time while everyone else drew brown sticks then big green blobs on top of the thin line. But I made a thick trunk, mixed with dark and light brown, even added in a little bit of yellow, then added branches leading out across the sky which was at least fifty shades of different blues. I added leaves to the branches, coming out as a beautiful green.
Now, what you may be thinking is that "How can a five year old paint slash draw like a professional?" But it wasn't professional at all, it was just my imagination of what my tree would look like. And since I was so young, I had no experience in painting or drawing what-so-ever. But it was completely different from the other children.
But, back to my little life story, my teacher was walking by every table and I guess mine caught her eye. And, quick little fact, my teacher was an amazing artist, which fascinated me to no end.
"That's unique," she has said, with a little glint in her eyes, and a smile gracing her lips.
I was so happy, that I nearly squealed with happiness, but I kept myself under control, and with a smile, with my two front teeth gone, I responded with, "Thank you."
She then promised me to meet her after school, starting tomorrow, but to tell my parents first, and then she would teach me to paint and draw much better, and she wasn't kidding.
But, that all ended when I reached fourth grade, and I had to leave elementary school, and go on to middle. And that meant I had to leave my art teacher and progress by myself.
And I did.
And now, I may or may not be the best artist in my highschool, out of pretty much, everyone. Not to sound conceited or anything. Because I'm not.
"Dani?" a hushed voice asks from the door to my room. I continue with my work, but not before responding.
"Yeah, mom?"
"I have a surprise for you," she pipes up, clapping. I stop where I am and put my brush into the cup and turn around to my mother, to find her right infront of me with the biggest grin on her face.
"Oh, what is it?" I chirp, amused. If possible, her grin grows wider and she shoves an envelope in my paint-covered hand, and points.
"Open it! Open it!"
Sometimes I think my mother is really a teenager. Well, at heart of course.
I shake my head in amusement, carefully opening the slip just to annoy my mother, as she hops up and down impatiently.
"Oh dear lord, open it!" She shrieks, eyes wide. She flails her arms around, then finishes with pointing with both hands to the envelope, jumping.
"Okay! Okay! I am," I say quickly, sliding my nail in the middle of the envelope, creating an opening in it, I take out a slip of paper, and look up to give my mother a confused look.
"Just read it," she urges, pushing the paper closer to me. I arch an eyebrow, but skim my eyes across the message, and I almost squeal in excitement.

Dear Danielle Winters,
This is from the Jameson Art Camp and we would gladly ask you to join us this summer for showing us your talents, as we do focus on art, but we also focus on many other things. We have seen your progress and would happily have you to join us and show everyone your art skills, and we invite you to the talent show, competing with other camps, and we have picked you to represent us for the art and design category.
Please send us your answer, and we will get back to you with further notice.
                      Sincerely,
                                 Jameson Academy