Work Text:
The gallery was so many years ago now, but it still has a grasp on them both.
Even with the new weight on both their shoulders, they continued with their lives. Ib is now in high school and dealing with the ups and downs of the beginning steps towards adulthood. Garry finished his degree in arts and is helping at local community centers teaching kids and adults alike. And through it all, Garry and Ib continued being in contact with one another.
After the events of that day, Ib and Garry had met up at that cafe near the gallery. During that trip, they were able to talk more about themselves, and Garry was finally able to meet Ibs' parents. There isn't any easy way to explain to parents that their 9 yr old daughter and a 20 something-year-old man have become friends very suddenly after meeting at a gallery. But luckily, after seeing how Garry and Ib interacted, they could see how close and good the relationship was. Gary was like the big brother Ib never had. And her parents could see how it was good for both of them to have a sibling-like bond with one another.
Garry was then also often invited to visit Ibs' home and come with the family on outings and trips. He had become a bit of an adopted son to them, and the new family dynamic worked really well.
Now, Garry and Ib often would meet up on the weekends to go get macarons and tea at the cafe and talk about everything and anything.
“My math teacher only ever seems to talk in one tone, it's so dull! And he doesn't let me doodle, so I have such a hard time focusing on his lectures. Like after the first 10 minutes in classes nothing he says sounds like words, and just ends up sounding like whiter noise.” Ib huffed, head resting in her hands as she recalled to Garry how her new classes this year were.
Gary chuckles, sipping at the tea he got. Ibs stories funnily enough helped him a lot learn the best ways to handle his classes. He wanted to be as good of a teacher as he could be, for his many different students.
“I recall having a professor like that, as well. That also happened to be the classes I would finish any art assignments I had. I can't even remember what the subject was that they taught, all I remember is the long drawl of them teaching in the background as I finished coloring in my arts finals.” Ib nodded at the story in a very serious manner, as she often did. Always a straight-faced and serious lady, no matter her age.
Ib had grown to be an amazing lady, with a strong mind and even stronger opinions. Her long dark hair of her youth had been cut shorter, now reaching her shoulders in a striking bob. Her love for the color red and white lacy had transformed into wearing amber sweaters and bleach white, lace-trimmed button-downs underneath. She was never seen now without a good pair of straight-legged trousers, something she finds personally more comfortable than a skirt.
Garry had watched her grow into herself this way, and couldn't be prouder of her. His amazing little sister.
Garry on his part had also had a visual change. He wore his hair long and in a low ponytail most days. He had found a love for long flowing dresses and skirts, which always either brushed along his ankles or the floor. It made him feel like he was floating. His old coat was still a staple part of his wardrobe but had alongside it now a lovely cardigan of a lighter purple color that he would wear when he needed a softer texture to wrap himself in. His fashion sense had become much more feminine, especially during his last year of college when he had started to come to terms with his own gender identity and sexuality.
Ib was the first person he came out to, once he had made the discovery. She was also the one he went clothes shopping with when he wanted to explore more feminine styles. It's one of his most treasured memories, the supportive words, and hugs she gave to him that day.
“Now, away from my lovely class time experiences. How have your classes gone? Have you had any time to make any new art? I know that last time you mentioned painting a new piece.” Even after the gallery incident, both Garry and Ib retained their deep love of art. It had almost grown after their shared experience. Interacting with the pieces that come to life made them want to create works out of happiness, from a place of light instead of darkness. No piece would become a Mary. For Ib es[pecially, this was very important. She never created a piece with less than two people.
“Yes actually, I was painting a portrait for one of my students. They wanted a painting of them with their partner as they recently got engaged. I finished this last week if you would like to see it?’ Ib looked excited at this idea, her eyebrows raising ever so slightly. “Absolutely! I always find inspiration when I see your work. And honestly, I could use some right now. The art block is real, especially with how my classes are going.” Garry brought out his phone, pulling up his online portfolio. He liked to show his work online, and also took commission work a lot and liked to show his work for those interested in buying from him.
The portrait showed two people, foreheads touching and massive smiles on both their faces. The background is a collection of warm browns and reds. It brought out the subjects, making them seem like they were glowing. Garry's style was only on the cusp of being realistic. He always added his own twist. Whether to the proportions or the colors and highlights of his subjects. He also only worked with real people. He loved getting to take a moment and have it held in time on his canvas, having that moment forever seen and loved.
Ib was more into drawing people who she thought up. And she had a deep love of straying as far from realism as she could. She loved drawing people and things as if they were movements themselves, making her subjects bend in inhuman ways. They always seemed to be dancing to a song. And always, they were more than one. Either two people dancing together, or even a group.
Ib looked intently at Garrys' work, taking in all the little details he included in the faces, hair, and clothes of his subjects. They look so ungodly happy, and so happy to be together. It was perfect. “It's beautiful, Garry. I bet they will love it. Have you sent it to them yet?”, “No, not yet. I'll be giving it to them on their wedding day as a gift. I truly do hope they like it, I am reasonably proud of the piece myself.” Garry laughed, the motion crinkling the corners of his eyes. Ib always thought his laughing face was pretty and made him seem brighter. She had tried to draw it many times, but could never get it quite right.
“Have you got any other commissions lined up after this one? Maybe we can spend a day working on art together, we haven't done that together in what feels like forever!” Art hangouts used to be a pretty regular thing for the two of them, but sadly classes and work got in the way and they started happening less. But they still try once a month to hang out simply to work on any pieces they had, and be with one another. It's always a calming and almost therapeutic time for both of them.
“Oh, you are absolutely right! We haven't had an art day in a while. And I also have another commission that I haven't started on yet. So it's a perfect time!” Ib whipped her phone out, excited to see when they would both have a shared day off to have said art day. Luckily, it seems that this coming weekend would be perfect for them both, and they note it down on their phone calendars.
The rest of the day went by with simple small talk and an exciting air for their coming art day together.
~
Before a second knock could be hit, Ib is throwing the door open and wrapping herself around the man at the door.
“Oof!” Garry wraps his arms around Ib, making sure neither of them falls at the sudden impact of the hug. “Got to be gentle with me now, Ib. I'm not strong enough to catch you anymore.”
Still holding one another, the siblings venture into the house to begin the much-awaited art day. Ibs's mom and dad had prepared some food and drinks for them, as they both tend to get way into the pieces they work on to be trusted to make or order food. With their sustenance in hand, the pair go to the art studio to begin.
The art studio was really just Ibs parents' spare room that they had no use for unless they had guests staying over. Aka, until Garry, spent the night, and even then it was still more an art room than a spare bedroom.
As the weather has been more on the gray side, the many lamps and light fixtures are doing wonders in making the space feel nice and cozy. Giving off a good orange glow to all the furniture, which both Ib and Garry agree is better lighting than harsh white lights that some official art studios do. There is the futon, in its couch form currently, covered in gingham patterned pillows and blankets. And in Garrys’ opinion, they are the most comfortable bedding he has ever used! But those aside.
There are a couple of well-loved bookcases filled with the houses’ book stash, as well as all the sketchbooks Ib has filled in her life. There are also the few statutes and figures Ib made when she was trying out different medians, they are all just a little off and the interest didn't last long. And of course, this is where the big art supplies are stashed and stored away. The easels, the mass collection of paintbrushes and paint tubes, even a small wooden block Ib and Garry liked to use as a stage or stand for when they wanted to draw live things.
Ib and Garry get to work setting up their workspace. Getting their easels up and working, tables for tools and paint, and also of course a table for their food and drink. They always make sure to keep it a little further away from their works, as to make sure no paint or paint infected water gets in or on the food. After many accidents or accidentally colored snacks, they made sure of the separation of snacks and work.
“You have any idea on what you want to do today Ib?” Garry has his painting in work set up already, as well as the paints he is using for it. Since it's part of the way done, he had already the shades and colors prepared, so he just packed them up before coming to Ibs. “ Honestly, I'm still struggling to think up anything. I'll probably for now just set up a still life and practice different techniques and such.” Ibs gives a long sigh but gets her own paints and other tools for her still life piece. “Hopefully as we continue to work, something will hit me over the head.” Garry laughs, he knows the feeling all too well.
They start playing some simple instrumental music and get to work.
Garrys’ piece has the basic shape and base colors down, he just needed to work out the details and background. Ib has set up a stack of books, a statue head, and a glass jar. The items are all getting lit up by a lamp, creating an intense difference in light and shadow. She had all bright colors, starting from realism and going more towards abstract and even almost cubism.
They spend a couple of hours working on their pieces. Garry making good progress on his piece, while Ib has moved on to something else that Garry cant see. Garry reaches a good pause point and walks over to Ibs easel to see what she is up to. As always, he's amazed. Ib has started using Garry as her model, capturing his form and face as he worked intensely on the painting. The colors and shape of his form give the painting such life, and she somehow was able to make the figure so like him without having an ounce of realism in the piece. Garry has never been prouder.
“Ib, this looking amazing.” Ibs shocked out of her concentration and turns to see Garry looking at her painting. She turns back to the piece and takes in all in. She smiles as she notices fully what she has made. “It's not too bad, I always feel inspired after painting you honestly. Something about you that just gets that block out of my head.” Garry laughs at the statement, feeling a little flattered. “Well once you're finished, may I buy it off of you. I want to hang it up in my place somewhere. Need to show it off, how good my sister is.” Ib laughs along with him and shakes her head. “You were the model, it's all yours Garry. Just glad you like it so much.”
Deciding that it was a good enough time to sit and eat some food, Garry and Ib wrap their paints up and sit on the futon to talk over their works and how they are feeling. Art days will always be their favorite day to be together, to be simply themselves and connect. As they talk, Garry is already planning where his new painting will be hung up. Where all those who come to visit can see and admire it as it deserves. If you are an acquaintance with Garry, you must understand how ferociously proud of Ib he is.