Casey enjoyed walking with Leighton to the waterfront. Field trips always fostered a jubilant atmosphere, whether in kindergarten or higher education, and today felt no different. Even if dating wasn’t possible for them, she liked Leighton and enjoyed being in her presence. It gave her a little high. Casey wasn’t the type to avoid her simply because she couldn’t have her, even if she found their situation frustrating.
They worked for a few hours, stopping only when Stefan brought out drinks and snacks from the van. Most of the students, including Casey, had set up their easels near the water’s edge to paint the skyline. Phoenix chose the boats on the East River and Jenna the park itself. Leighton and Stefan picked a central location where they divided their time between their own easels and walking around giving advice.
Leighton stopped beside Jenna, not far from Casey. “Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you don’t need to assess your painting from a distance. And not once or twice. John Singer Sargent did it so often, he wore a visible path in his carpet.”
Casey enjoyed overhearing the advice given in the surrounding conversations.
On the other side of her, Stefan spoke with Mark. “Check your shadow temperature. Remember, warm light, cool shadows.” He moved to view her canvas. “Nice job on the realistic gradation in the sky and your use of aerial perspective.”
At the end of the four hours, they stood the wet paintings against a railing and held an informal critique. Once they slid the wet paintings into wet panel carriers and loaded them into the van, Leighton addressed the group.
“Before everyone dashes off, I have something for you.” She pulled an envelope from her bag. “Phoenix, Mikala, Devin.” She handed out checks as she called their names. When only one remained, Leighton looked at them. “Maxine sold a painting yesterday, which is why you’re holding a little extra spending money, and Casey was the artist.” Leighton handed her the last one with a wide smile. “Congratulations.”
Casey accepted it, and goose bumps covered her arms.
The group applauded, and Stefan hooted.
She’d sold her first painting. Someone wanted to own something she’d created.
Mark crushed her in an enthusiastic hug.
When he released her, she looked at the amount and blinked. Could that be correct? She’d have to hold back a percentage for taxes, but her rent worries became less worrisome, at least for the next few months. She looked at Leighton. “Thank you.”
Mikala and Stefan climbed into the van, and the rest of the group headed back, their exuberance likely due to the money in their hands.
“You look surprised, yet you painted it. Didn’t you have faith it’d sell?” Leighton slung her pochade box over her shoulder.
Its years of paint splatters looked like confetti, or perhaps Casey simply felt celebratory after receiving the good news. “I’m not sure. That part of the process doesn’t cross my mind. Instead, I focus on composition, symbolism, drawing, brush strokes, and those kinds of things. I might be the only person who’s sold nothing, even someone’s sketch, from the gallery yet. My sales techniques need work, I’m afraid.”
“Hmm.” Leighton gestured the way they’d come, and they followed the group. “You know, Maxine can help you hone those skills. She’s excellent at making sales.”
“Jenna’s great, too, from what I hear. Maybe I should ask her to coach me in exchange for my notes.”
Leighton, who’d stopped, wore a frown. “Why is she using yours?”
Casey wished she hadn’t mentioned it. She didn’t want Leighton to be upset with Jenna. She’d wager that Jenna had never been in trouble in her life.
“Is that not allowed?”
Leighton seemed to consider it. “It’s not not allowed. I’m surprised, that’s all. I didn’t know it was happening. Why isn’t she taking her own?”
In the sunlight, a handful of silver strands shone in Leighton’s hair. The beautiful effect reminded her of a sparkling river running through a field of wheat. Casey wanted to thread her fingers in and find more.
Instead, they resumed walking.
“She takes some, but she gets overwhelmed trying to understand the concepts and can’t write fast enough. I use an app to scan what I’ve written in my sketchbook that day, or I send her the notes I take on my laptop. Mine help her get a clearer picture.”
“She should’ve come to me. I didn’t know she was having issues.” Leighton’s low intonation made her sound offended. “I could’ve provided her with additional materials or spent more time with her.”
“I think she’s doing okay now, and I don’t mind sharing.” Casey shouldn’t have mentioned it. “You could always ask her if she needs anything else.”
“That’s not the point,” Leighton snapped, then lowered her voice. Mark and Phoenix walked a dozen feet ahead of them. “The point is, I didn’t know one of my students was struggling.”
Casey didn’t know how to respond, but at least Leighton hadn’t told her to stop. Jenna would stress again without her notes, and she didn’t want that.
Was Leighton upset she hadn’t noticed Jenna’s issues because Casey distracted her? She struggled to dismiss thoughts of Leighton every day, and part of Casey hoped she wasn’t the only one feeling that way. They’d sparked something in one another but couldn’t do anything about it. They had to exist, together but separate, doing nothing that might cause the atelier to combust.