Monochrome: 10

It was two days after Christmas. Kieran had spent the day alone, while Finn and Bee went out. Finn had tried inviting Kieran to join them, but he was met with protest. He said he ‘wasn’t up to it’, and he had no place being there.

Finn was disappointed in this response, as was Bee (who encouraged Finn’s attempts to befriend Kieran). At her suggestion, Finn bought some paintbrushes for Kieran while they were out. The two had spent the next day together, as well.

It was after work, and Finn was walking home. He dialed Kieran’s number and waited for the ring.

“Yeah? Err, hello?” Kieran answered, correcting himself.

“Hey, what are you up to?”

“Nothing really, just painting.”

“I just got out of work; got something for you. I’m gonna stop by in a bit.”

“Eh? Alright.”

“Seeya.”

“Yeah.”


Finn rang the buzzer to Kieran’s apartment. A moment later, Kieran answered the door.

“Hey,” he greeted.

“Hi,” Finn responded. “Err, are you alright?”

“Huh?”

“You look kind of… not too good?”

“Oh, I haven’t slept in a few days.”

“A few days?” Finn asked, puzzled.

“Yeah.”

“Are you serious?”

“…yeah.”

“Jesus Christ, Kieran.”

“Hey, I’m not doing it for fun,” Kieran said, turning in to his apartment.

Finn followed him, still a bit baffled. He looked around. This was the first time Finn had been in Kieran’s apartment since the night he lost his job.

“Hey, did you find a new job, yet?”

“No… this time of the year, there’s always a rush for jobs.”

“Ah…” Finn trailed off. He was starting to wonder if Kieran was going to be able to keep his apartment.

“You said you were coming over here for something?” Kieran asked.

“Oh, yeah,” Finn acknowledged as he reached into his bag.

“Here.”

Kieran took the plastic bag from Finn’s hand and opened it. He pulled out the paintbrushes.

“…thanks,” Kieran said, staring at them. “…I don’t have anything for you.”

“Oh, that’s alright. Maybe you could paint me something?” Finn suggested.

“Sure,” Kieran said. He looked over the brushes.

“These must have been expensive.”

“Well, I wanted to get some good brushes.”

“Yeah.”

Kieran walked to the counter and placed the brushes down.

“Hey, I know things didn’t work out so well last time… but, my friends and I are hanging out again, New Year’s Eve. Do you want to come along?”

“It’s better if I don’t.”

“I can get Gavin to lay off.”

“It’s alright. You don’t have to do this. Why are you trying so hard, anyways?”

“Because we’re friends?”

“That was a fast decision.”

“You don’t want to be friends?”

“No, I’m just… surprised.”

“I think I am, too.”

“Heh, well, I think I’m going to have to decline.”

“…alright. But, we’ll hang out sometime?”

“Sure.”

Monochrome: 9

Kieran jolted up from bed. His hands firmly grasped his blanket. He turned his head to look at the clock. It was only a few minutes past midnight. He sighed.

I’m not gonna be able to sleep, at this rate, he thought.

He tore the blankets off and got out of his bed, putting his slippers on and grabbing a jacket. He opened the door from his bedroom to the hall, and wandered out into the studio. He grabbed his sketchbook off the counter. He glanced through the pages.

No good.

It’s all him.

He slumped against the counter, slowly looking over his drawings.

Why is it always him?

He tossed his sketchbook aside, stood up, and walked towards the storage closet. He flipped the light switch, and approached a group of canvases. He looked through them all. Over and over, it was the same thing.

Why…? It doesn’t make any sense. I’m not…

He stared at one of the canvases for a while.

I wasn’t like this, before.

He felt a surge, and lifted the canvas from the rack. He stormed into the studio and placed it on the easel. He stopped. His eyes were locked on it.

What am I doing?

Monochrome: 8

Kieran shut and locked the door as he entered his apartment. He stood there for a moment, and leaned against the door. He sighed, and slid down into a sitting position.

Why did I do that?

He brought his hands to his face and grabbed at his hair. Nothing but frustration.

That was stupid. I shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve just stayed here. I shouldn’t…

He ran through his regrets and aggravation over and over in his head, slowly tensing up. A few minutes passed like this. He slammed his fist down on the floor.

“Goddamn it,” he muttered.

A soft knock came at the door.

“Sullivan,” Finn called through the door.

Kieran sat still for a moment, unsure if he should answer.

“I’m sorry about Gavin. He’s known me for a few years now, we’re pretty good friends. He’s kind of hot-headed sometimes, as you can see. I don‘t think he meant what he said, he‘s just mad, he wants to yell at someone…” Finn rambled.

“…it’s fine,” Kieran answered. “He’s right, anyways.”

“You always say that. You said that to me, too.”

“It’s true.”

There was a pause.

“…are you okay?” Finn asked.

“I’m fine, it’s not the end of the world.”

Monochrome: 7

“My key’s here, I’m heading back to my apartment.”

Finn stared at the message on his phone. Unknown number. Must be Sullivan. His phone buzzed again.

“There’s something wrong with your sink, I swear I didn’t do anything to it.”

“Yeah, it’s been messed up for a few weeks now.”

Work was slow. Finn thought about next week. Next Friday, the 24th, he was having his Christmas party. He counted his guests in his head. Gavin, Jenny, Aaron, Luke, Bee. Maybe Sullivan was coming too. He was hoping he could convince his friends that Kieran really was different. Maybe they would accept him, and then he would have more friends. Maybe he would be happier.

The week slowly drained away, full of quiet work. Finn started a few reviews of recent books. By Thursday, the first was complete. The party was tomorrow. He left to buy some groceries after he posted his review online.

Comparatively, the time leading up to the party was a mere blink in time. Before he realized the hour, Gavin and Jenny were knocking on his door. Bee arrived a few minutes later. She met him with a kiss. Aaron and Luke joined the rest at seven thirty.

Eventually, it was nine. Nine ten. Nine fifteen. Nine twenty. Nine thirty. It didn’t seem like Sullivan was going to be coming over.

“Finn, don’t worry about it,” Bee said to him. “You have us. You have me.”

She added, “I’m sure he’s fine. You can’t take on everyone’s problems.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Finn said. Bee hugged his arm and smiled.

Ten more minutes passed. The doorbell rang. Finn answered the door.

“Uhh… hey, Blake,” Kieran said. He had a box of cookies in his hand. “Were we… supposed to bring food? I brought these. I don’t know if you want them.”

“Oh, great, thanks! What are they?”

“Ginger snaps. I was going to get peanut butter, but I thought someone might be allergic…” Kieran said awkwardly, scratching his head.

“Hah, come on in, I’ll introduce everyone.”

Kieran followed Finn to the living room, where Finn introduced him.

“This is Kieran Sullivan. He’s my neighbor,” he said, smiling.

“These are my friends, Aaron, Gavin, Jenny, Luke,” Finn recited, pausing and pointing for each of them. They each said their greetings.

“And this is Bee—short for Bianca—she’s my girlfriend,” he said finally. Bee got out of her seat and went to shake Kieran’s hand.

“Uhh, hi,” Kieran got out, shaking Bee’s hand. She smiled brightly at him.

“So, do you guys want anything to drink?” Finn asked everyone. Everyone made their requests.

“Beer, I don’t know, anything with alcohol,” Kieran said.

“I don’t have any,” Finn lied.

“What? Really? Water, then, I guess.”

Finn left to the kitchen, and Kieran took a seat on the carpet. He stared at the TV, which was playing a holiday commercial and its accompanying jingle. Holidays didn’t mean much to him, anymore.

“Sullivan, right?” asked Gavin.

“Hm? Yeah,” Kieran answered.

“Why are you here?”

“I… was asked to come here.”

“What makes you think—”

“Gavin, stop, we don’t need this—” Bee interrupted.

“No, Sullivan, what makes you think you can just come here after how you‘ve been acting?”

“…I don’t. I was asked to. You’d have to talk to Blake about that.”

Finn returned to the room with the drinks as Gavin continued.

“To hell with that! I’m not too comfortable with some jackass mooching off of my friend!” Gavin shouted.

“Gavin, what the hell!” Finn yelled.

“This was a mistake…” Kieran whispered.

“I’m going to go,” Kieran said, standing up, then heading for the door.

“Sullivan, wait—”

“Good night,” Kieran finished as he went out the door.

Finn stood there for a moment, and the apartment was quiet. In the next instant, he turned to Gavin and directed his anger at him.

“Why would you do that?!” Finn shouted. “He didn’t do anything wrong! Why don’t you understand that?!”

Gavin seemed surprised by Finn’s response.

“Stop thinking you need to defend me! I can take care of myself!”

“Finn, I’m sorry, I—”

“No, just… leave! Everyone, please.”

Everyone gathered their things as Finn sat in a chair in the dining room. He buried his face in his palms, letting out an exasperated sigh. Bee approached him, planting a kiss on his cheek and saying good night. As everyone left, Gavin apologized, unanswered.

Sketchdump Time

This next picture...

-puts on sunglasses- ...is drawn to crime.



YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Monochrome: 6

“Finn, are you completely out of your mind?”

“What?”

“How could you possibly let that psychotic asshole into your apartment?”

“He’s not that bad,” Finn said, stirring his drink. He was sitting in a diner with two of his friends, Gavin and Jenny. They met up after work to get some late lunch. Gavin and Jenny were dating. They had met Finn in college.

“This guy was treating you like shit just a week ago,” Gavin pointed out.

“Well, I think he’s done with that,” Finn started.

“How do you know?”

“The way he was talking, how he acted, it was all pretty honest,” Finn responded. He added, “And… I don’t think he has anyone else.”

“Yeah, he probably drives everyone away with his jackass behavior! Look, Finn. I’m not trying to tell you not to help people, but, I don’t trust this guy. You shouldn’t get too involved with his life.”

“Maybe.”

The conversation drifted away from Finn’s temporary (and temperamental) roommate. Despite Gavin’s warnings, Finn wasn’t convinced. Finn had dealt with Kieran firsthand; he witnessed Kieran’s behavior. He could tell that things were different with him. And, he could tell that Kieran needed some sort of help.

Gavin and Jenny soon parted ways with Finn, and Finn left the diner not long afterwards. As he walked down the sidewalk, he wondered what would happen when he came home. He couldn’t help but fear that Kieran made a similar mess of his own apartment. He assured himself that Kieran had enough composure not to.

Finn soon arrived back at the apartment, and opened the door. Everything seemed about the same. Kieran was again sat on the couch, drawing.

“You sure do draw a lot.”

Okami - Mixed Media Project (Progress)

In my Color and Design class, we've been working on a mixed media project. I decided that I wanted to work with a dog for my design, and eventually wound up on Okami, when checking my available colors. So, here's my progress, so far!

High contrast (to see the sketch) <-- CLICK HERE LOL