I beg your pardon, Sir. Would you like to hear the simple story of Cupid’s Requiem? It’s a short tale of a pirate, a wench, the fishes and me. Oh- I would be happy to tell you, dear Sir. Mind you, I have nothing better to do. It is a ponderous tale of unrequited love and Cupid’s unyielding arrow....
My name is William Frederic Carlton, IV. I’m the son and heir to Lord Carlton from Remington at Wilshire, in the service of his majesty George III, sovereign King of England. It happened in the year 1789, the 14th day of February. I was 20 years old and as arrogant and fresh as a youth can be.
My lads and I found the Pub in lower wharf district. They said it was a place of artists, thieves and scoundrels. The smell of rum and whiskey permeated our senses. Absinthe was in ample supply. Dark men and beautiful lassies lined the walls with laughter and song.
She was a bowery girl, like none I had ever seen. Her hair was as red as fire and her eyes emerald green. She was full of life and danced upon the tables with the other wenches until my loins did rage with intoxication.
Please understand, Sir, -I just had to have her.
Cupid’s arrow penetrated my heart from the moment my nostrils inhaled her. She was a simple maiden and I knew she entertained all sorts, - but when she looked in my eyes- it disrupted my very soul. They warned me she belonged to another; a one eyed Pirate, the proprietor of Dante’s Pub. They said he had lost his eye and lower lip wrestling an alligator. Preposterous, I thought! I am William Frederic Carlton and a lowly pirate is no match for me. I want the wench and I will have her- if only for this eve.
She bent over my table with bosoms full and asked me, “Kind sir, what is your pleasure?’
I replied, “You, my Wench. You are my pleasure.”
She laughed and put her apron over my head. I grabbed for what I wanted! She erupted in a scream! With claws like a cat she penetrated my flesh! Her smile turned to frown as she stepped back from me.
The whole room fell silent as he rose like an ominous black shadow turning to look at me! I must admit, Sir, I gasped when I saw him! Nary a scary man than this pirate be!
Memory falls short, but I do recall, the pirate declared in gentlemen’s calm, “Dear Sir, may I have a word with thee?” 
So the drama’s done and we come to the end of a pirate, a wench, the fishes and me. You see, it was unrequited love that brought me such misery. Beware fine Sir, of Cupid’s Requiem: It laid me to rest at the bottom of the sea. Vikki North, 2009
The Artist Challenge/ Gallery #5 -UNREQUITED LOVE- is premiering NOW at the THE ARTIST CHALLENGE website. Artists of various mediums and styles are showing their interpretation of ‘Unrequited Love.’
The Artist Challenge/ Gallery #5 -UNREQUITED LOVE- is premiering NOW at the THE ARTIST CHALLENGE website. Artists of various mediums and styles are showing their interpretation of ‘Unrequited Love.’
We have the very best painters of the fine arts. We have mixed media, jewelry, lint& fabric, assemblage, collage, art candles and stunning pottery! We even have a French guy named Paul and a really cute deviant named Prateek. And Warning: ‘Parental guidance is suggested”.
Rum and Absinthes is on the house at
Happy Valentines Day!
My Painting is called Cupid’s Requiem. It is my submission for Gallery #5, at The Artist Challenge. 12”x16” Acrylic on un-stretched heavy-weight Canvas. I haven’t priced the original yet, but prints can be ordered upon request ($79). Contact me through The Red Chair Gallery.
24 comments:
Awesome, simply awesome Redchair... not much one can say to make it more so. The painting and the story!
AV
http://netherregionoftheearthii.blogspot.com/
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Hi Argentum,
Can you say 'shameless plug' for our other site, The Artist Challenge?
I hope you went to visit? We have quite a show.
Vikki
Happy Valentines Day Vikki! Awesome painting! The detail is outstanding. My jaw dropped when I saw the knitted cloth, and the hearts in it! Everything works together so well... all the different textures, and the color palette. And a riveting story! Couldn't stop once I started reading. ;)
And congratulations on the first public art challenge! You're an inspiration! :)
~Michael
The story is just as much fun as the painting. You creative little wench you. Of course you know I love your art, and your writing.
Now I have cause to love your helping spirit, for I have one more wondrous and fun site to visit. The Artist Challenge is great. such soulful imagery filling one place! The talent whew what can I say, You have nearly left me wordless.
I left a lengthy comment for you on the Artist Challenge. The works of everybody moved me so, and perhaps inspired a few tales of my own.
Hi Michael,
Thanks and no, no, no. You're the inspiration Capt. Mike.
Tell your missy she's at a major Valentines loss this year. Your my Valentine for 2009.
Vikki
Thanks Eric.
Just fun and play stuff. I read your wonderful comment (as I did the other 2 dozen this morning.)
It's almost noon Calif time and I'm still sitting in my p.j.'s!!
We're so happy that the gallery turned out so well. The artist are so amazing.
Thank you my dear friend.
Vikki
Hello Vikki,
I took a peak at your blog last night at work, but I wasn't able to read the story or to comment. Oh, how great your painting and your story are. The painting is superbly done. Your painting is very intricate, well-detailed, excellently composed. I also like your interpretation of "A Love Unrequited."
Of course, I'm equally impressed with your writing abilities. I liked the story very much.
Congratulations for putting together a first on-line art show!
I'll visit the Art Challenge later, for I still need to go to sleep. I haven't yet slept from working the night shift.
Happy Valentines Day,
Tasha
Hi Ms. Tashabud,
Thank you and Happy Valentines day!
Vikki
Little Mama! Story and painting are absolute!! I loved the challenge and am already planning for the next one!
Love,
D
Hi Queeny,
Thank you so much.
The thing that has been such fun for us is that our little virtual gallery show created the same excitement that it would if it had been held in a brick and mortar establishment. And this cyber magic happened because of the contributing artist like you. Michael and I simply invited you all to join us in a process that we had been enjoying. You guys did the rest.
So the thanks goes to you.
BTW- I got BEAUTIFUL roses this morning from Captain Mike. I know!All the girls are going to be so jealous!!
Vikki
Love the story, Adore the painting.
Love all those little hearts stuck in the net. Congratulations on the challenge. It is a great start.
Hi Audrey,
Thanks. The little hearts came to mind actually as I was painting the knotted/crocheted -whatever it is. They weren't a pre-designed notion.
Isn't it interesting how a background element like that can suddenly decide to upstage everything else. It's one of those happy little surprises when it happens.
Our first Challenge was terrific and we so appreciate your support and your beautiful still life entry. Just gorgeous.
Vikki
The many sides of Vikki.
Your painting is so evocative and your story rivetting.
The Wench is welcoming more and more customers to gallery and pub ...
Absolutely loved Gallery 5 - perhaps 'shattered' is more appropriate.
goodonyer mate.
June in Oz
Hi June of Oz,
I hope you saw your beautiful poem closed out our shattered love gallery? It was just the touch we needed to add some class.
Thank you so much sweet lady for all your support. Michael & I appreciated it so very much.
Vikki
To use a line which I am sure you can appreciate, "You're killing me Vikki..." once again sucking me in with the great stories. Unrequited is right.
An then there that line, "the loins did rage with intoxication...."
Out of curiosity, what is the off-white mesh / lace type fabric in the background. Mu first thought was that it was metal mesh used as light armor by ancient solders, through which arrows could sometimes pierce, but it had a decorative component to it, and thus made me think that it might have been some type of table ornament or covering.
Hi Logistician,
Thank you. The story and painting were just fun stuff for me.
In regards to the knotted/ crocheted/(whatever it is) background - it is ‘whatever’ you see and want it to be. Obviously this work wasn’t something I had a model for. All elements are imagined and pulled out of the air.
As I created the far background piece it started to look like it was made out a heavier rope or netting - and slightly different than the texture of the foreground piece. I liked it- so I left it as such.
It’s one of those painting that artist would refer to as straight out of the ’what dreams may come” box.
Vikki
I think the thing I love most about your paintings is the detail. Every time I look at them I see something I didn't see before - and now I am learning to love your written word, as well. Utah.
Ahoy Lucille!
Thanks for your comment. You know- you need to go check out Dante's Pub. A wild party going on that's right up your alley, Sailor. And did you know we have the first challenge gallery on display?
Vikki
Wow, what a gorgeous painting!! The detail is incredible and I really enjoyed the story. Also, the colors you used.
Hi Sandy- Miss Sketches and Messes girl,
I know who you are. Thanks for commenting on my blog. My blog- a shameful plug for the Artist Challenge. You'd never guess huh?
I hope you went to Dante's and checked out the site. We'd really love to have you join us. It's a lot of fun.
Vikki
oh my Vicki, this is quite amazing and to let me wonder in the halls of your imagination and to illustrate it... well, it's like being whisked away on a magic carpet if only for a a few moments!
Hi Odd Chick,
That's the best part of being an artist, huh? We can play in any world we can imagine.
Vikki
I love your stories and the little heart barbs on the arrows in the painting are sublime!
Hi tlwest and thank you.
If you haven't yet, you should see the entire exhibit at the challenge. Everyone had a different take on the Unrequited love. Not one work even similar.
Vikki
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