At four years of age, drawing meant fun time with mae. Finger painting meant creating a huge colourful mess and trying to figure out what the mess meant in the first place.
At five years old, art meant angry scribbles and rips through wet paper and trying to find a way to bring back mae and phaw.
At fifteen, art represented her drive to be the best at everything she does because then she wouldn't have to leave like Neung did.
At twenty-one, art was the one raft keeping her afloat when Song's demise caused her heart to be torn apart and her grandmother didn't allow anyone to grieve.
At twenty-seven, art is the only thing between her and her grandmother's intended life for her.
Luckily, she is at a stage where she's making waves around the world with her works (which are all in grayscale). Not-so-luckily, she's going through an art block, which could mean the end of her career and her life if it persists.
She decides to follow Google's advice for once:
She drives around the city, in search of something she's not sure about.
After almost a whole day of finding nothing (thanks Google), she decides to walk around, eat something and go back home to drink and overthink.
Fate had other plans.
On the opposite side of the street there's a crowd, which was normal enough for a busy city. What was unusual was the lack of noise surrounding it.
Something tells Sam to find out what's happening, and so Sam takes one step at a time, unaware of what awaits her.
The first thing that hits her after crossing the street is the sound of a guitar.
The second thing that she notices is the voice of a siren, beckoning her to come closer.
(A painting slowly starts taking shape: A ship is moving without hesitation towards the storm brewing.)
Sam pushes her way through the crowd like a sailor bewitched.
The first thing her eyes fall on is the siren herself, who's clad in pastel colours and who promises a world of colour through her song.
And thus, a spark is lit.
(The eye of the storm is on fire.)
(TBC)
This is the first time I'm writing anything so let me know what y'all think!
Thank you @sapphickoala for pushing me to write this + beta reading <3 <3
(This list is not exhaustive and will keep updating as and when new 2023 releases with full descriptions are announced. Publication dates are subject to change.)
Friday I'm In Love by Camryn Garrett (@dancingofpens): 10 January 2023
Sizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald
(@CarlynGreenwald): 18 April 2023