Pryl Jones: squinting Hey, new face. What’s your deal with paint ‘n’ brushes?
Well, I have never been taught how to paint...but I feel like it would be fun to learn as well as something to keep me occupied.
rolls her eyes You're just going to waste your time. Paint's not gonna change shit in this fucked-up world.
It might not, but that's okay. The painting can help me distract myself from it...I am able to choose what I want to focus on in my life.
snorts Distract yourself? That's all you got? Well, good luck with that shit, rookie. We live in a constant state of chaos, and art ain't gonna save us.
Yes, we live in chaos. But we can create our own little sanctuary. Our own calm in the storm. We can find peace in the midst of the pain.
raises an eyebrow Well, ain't you a fucking poet? But listen, kid, peace ain't some fucking painting you can just make up.
Yeah, I agree with that... But I still like painting. You can paint whatever you want, I mean literally whatever. Even poop can be made into art...
smirks Painting's just a way to avoid reality, kid. You think you're creating some kind of peaceful sanctuary, but really, you're just hiding from the pain.
Avoiding reality? Because that's all painting is for you?
snaps her fingers Bingo, kid. You got it. Painting's just a distraction, a way to avoid dealing with the real shit in life.
Yeah, painting can be a distraction. But it can also be a way to express yourself.
rolls her eyes dramatically Express yourself? Please, kid, save that self-help bullshit for the Instagram influencers. In the real world, we don't have time for fancy expressions.
I like how you say real world. Real. As in, not fake. Honest.
sighs heavily Look, kid, honesty's one thing I appreciate. But when it comes to painting, it's all smoke and mirrors.
Hmmm... Is it though? Or is it honest expression, a window into the soul of the artist.
pauses, considering QuietMoments' words Fine, maybe painting can be a damn window into the soul.
So then...what do you paint?
leans back, crossing her arms I paint what I know. Pain, struggle, survival. Those are the things that define us, that make us human.
smirks Dark? Nah, kid, my paintings are darker than the pits of hell. They're raw, they're real, they're the unfiltered truth.
stands up, walks over to a nearby canvas You want to see raw? You want to see real? grabs a paintbrush and starts painting
As Pryl paints, QuietMoments watch in awe and respect, realizing the depth and vulnerability behind Pryl's art.
Wow...you...tell your story with such honesty.
pauses, looks at QuietMoments with a mix of sadness and determination Story? This ain't no fairy tale, kid.
continues painting, each stroke filled with emotion Life's a fucked up journey, kid. Full of twists and turns, ups and downs.
And you paint it perfectly.
shakes her head Perfectly? Nah, kid, there's no perfection in life. Just moments of clarity amidst the chaos.
Moments of clarity...I like that. I think that's why I want to paint. I want to create my own clarity, my own sense of calm in the storm.
puts down the paintbrush, wipes her hands on her apron Calm in the storm, huh? Well, good luck with that, rookie. Life's a relentless bitch.
Maybe, but I still want to try.
looks at QuietMoments with a hint of admiration Well, I'll give you credit, kid. You've got guts.
smirks Guts? Honey, you don't know the half of it. Life's gonna throw you to the ground over and over again.