Van Gogh Reborn!

After discussing with grandpa and Uncle Bang, I decided to participate in the special exhibition at the French National Art Salon. 

Although it was a short exhibition for four days from December 14 to 17, 2028, there was no reason not to participate considering its purpose and popularity. 

In addition, thanks to Henry Marceau’s recommendation, the French National Art Association was considerate of many things. 

The work I want to display can be hung with just a notice in advance, and if I want an independent place, I can rent a small gallery located in Haut-Marais, in Paris. 

The fee was only 20 percent of the sale of the work, which was better than any exhibition ever held. 

“Is there anything left?” 

It is not certain whether the work will be sold. 

I wonder if this will cover the promotion cost and venue rental cost. 

“It’s not a profit-making event,” 

Uncle Bang added that not only Henry Marceau but also many people support the French National Art Association. 

It is fortunate that there are so many artists and art lovers. 

One thing that bothers me is that I was not selected through the Salon contest but through a special recommendation.

When I looked for it roughly, all the special recommendation targets were not winners of the contest. 

“Uncle Bang, is it okay to participate without winning the contest?” 

“Yes, there’s no such rule. Do you want to participate in the contest?” 

“I don’t know.” 

Even though it’s a salon exhibition created by artists to become independent of power, I don’t like my work being judged. 

Even if the procedure was handled fairly, the judges are also human, so they are inevitably subjective. 

I’m not comfortable ranking the works based on the standards of certain people. 

At the same time, I don’t like being criticized for taking the help of Henry Marceau because I didn’t have the confidence in winning the contest.

When I told my worry to grandpa, he burst into laughter. 

“Then we can compete fairly and win. At least the conditions are the same.” 

I got confidence hearing grandpas’ words. 

I also wonder how far I can go with my current skills. 

If it’s the National Art Salon Exhibition in France, famous people will gather and it will be a good experience. 

I made up my mind. 

“I’ll do it.” 

“Will you be all right, Hun? You might miss a good opportunity.” 

“I don’t want to lean on Marceau. I want to get the chance with my own strength.”  

Uncle Bang grinned and nodded. 

“Okay, I’ll let them know that.” 

There is no profit for Uncle Bang from this work, yet he is giving me his complete support. 

I’m really grateful for Uncle Bang.

Next year, he and I should prepare to make more profits. 

“Uncle Bang, let’s do something that makes a big profit next year.” 

“Big profit?” 

“Yes, I made less money this year, so, it will be hard for Uncle Bang.” 

“Oh, that’s fine. There was the Schminke job, there will be an auction at the Whitney Biennale, and the number of views on the New Tube is also coming out well.” 

I understand that we will be getting money from Schminke and Whitney Biennale, but I don’t understand why the number of views on the New Tube has anything to do with money. 

Many people Sponsored me some money, but I don’t think that’s a lot. 

“Do I get money from broadcast?” 

“Yes, it hasn’t come to fruition yet, but it’s growing well. There are already 30,000 subscribers.” 

Uncle Bang explained that the more people watch the video, the more I can receive revenue from advertisers or from what the premium users pay. 

“How much did we get?” 

“It’s still small. 400,000 won?” 

I agreed to give 10 percent for outside activities when signing the contract with Uncle Bang, and the same goes for the income from NewTube. 

I suddenly felt sorry for Uncle Bang because I was satisfied with the money I earned. 

He couldn’t even buy two plates of potato pizza a month with that money. 

I want to do something more for Uncle Bang who quit the job that he used to do well for me. 

Moreover, even if I don’t have to sell paintings, if I have a way to make money, I will be able to work in a more stable environment. 

“How can I make more money on NewTube, Uncle Bang?” 

“More views are the best. You have to upload videos often.”  

“I only did it three times, is it okay?”

“Actually, I ran out of things to edit now. haha!”

I should do it today. 

I don’t have to think about what to do because I decided to paint watercolors with Sihyeon today. 

“Uncle, I’ll do it today.” 

“You don’t have to strain yourself.” 

“No, I’m not. It’s fun.” 

Just being able to talk to people who like my paintings is good enough for me. 

After doing it several times, I learned how to turn on the broadcast, and thanks to this, Uncle Bang, who manages the chat window, doesn’t have to stay here. 

DING- DONG 

It seems like Sihyeon has also arrived.

The doorbell rang and when I opened the door, he came in with a strong greeting after a while. 

“Hello!” 

“Oh, Sihyeon, it’s been a while. How are you doing?” 

“Fine, grandpa Ko!” 

Grandpa welcomed Sihyeon. 

“Hun, then contact me as soon as you got ready.” 

“Okay, Uncle Bang.” 

Uncle Bang nodded and said goodbye waving his hand. 

“When are you going to do the show?” 

“About an hour later.” 

“Okay, I’ll prepare it.” 

Sihyeon glanced at Uncle Bang. 

He bowed with a smile on his face. 

He was so well educated that he greeted Uncle Bang while being shy. 

“Let’s go in.” 

“Hun, I practiced a lot.” 

“Are you good at drawing now?” 

“I drew a lot.” 

When I entered the studio, Sihyeon took a picture book out of his bag. 

Seeing him confident makes me feel better. 

“Oh.” 

“Is it Pretty!?”

I found a nice blue color tree. 

It hasn’t been long since I taught him the principle of making colors, and I think he has learned well. 

It was a very nice blue tree, he may have mixed it himself or found his favorite color among the paints on sale.

“It’s pretty.” 

I don’t think it’s important to draw it well because it’s important to get exposed to various works. 

I can really relate to what Sihyeon was thinking. 

“But why didn’t you add water?” 

“Water?” 

“Yes, to the Paper. See, that’s why it’s buckling.” 

Sihyeon tilts his head. 

“What’s buckling?” 

I think I should explain it from the beginning.  

“Watercolors have a lot of water, so if you don’t do the Plastering, the paper will bend like this.” 

“What’s Plastering?” 

“Come here.” 

I found the watercolor paper that I had prepared in advance to use with Sihyeon today. 

“You have to apply water and spread it out and dry it so that it doesn’t change even if you draw on it later.” 

“Are you stretching it out in advance?” 

“Right.” 

He’s smart and quick to understand. 

“Use this today.” 

“How do you make it? If you take this tape off, won’t it tear the paper off?” 

“You have to peel it off with a knife.” 

“Okay.” 

It’s different to understand it with your head and see it personally. 

I took out one more piece of watercolor paper that grandpa bought me. 

“Why is this paper different?” 

“It’s cotton paper.” 

“What’s the difference?” 

“It’s barely discolored, and it’s strong. It’s easy to give gradation even if it’s dried.” 

I’m pretending to know, but I too didn’t know about it, I just delivered grandpa’s explanation. 

“Grandpa said, It’s best to draw watercolors on a sheet of cotton paper.” 

“I didn’t know that.” 

“I didn’t know either.” 

I applied enough water to the back of the paper. 

After putting the paper on the panel, the front side was also covered with water, and when I looked up, Sihyeon was looking at the duct tape in a strange way. 

“I’ve never seen such a big tape.”

“Grandpa bought me a big one. They say they use it for a long time once they buy it.” 

“Should I bring scissors?” 

“It tears well with hands.” 

I ripped the tape and stuck one side close to the drawing board. 

I put the tape on all four sides. 

“It’s already coming up here.” 

“It’s drying and spreading.” 

Sihyeon nodded, with his eyes wide open. 

“If you dry it like this, even if you draw with watercolors later, the paper won’t buckle and it smudges well.” 

“Did Grandpa Ko say it?’ 

“Yes.” 

I shared what happened in the United States as we prepared to paint. 

Sihyeon made a fuss when he heard that I had recovered my memory. 

“That’s great! Great…” 

He suddenly stopped talking and looked very worried. 

“What?” 

“Hun’s daddy and mommy…” 

He worries about my parents, what a thoughtful fellow. 

“It’s all right” 

“Not all right.”

Yes, it’s not all right. 

I want to go back to that time if I can. 

I would have faked illness and told them not to go out on that day. 

We wouldn’t have been hit by the truck if I had delayed it for a minute. 

“It’s okay because I cried a lot. It’s been a year, I’ve been to the grave, and I’m with my grandpa. If I keep feeling sad, Papa and Mama will be even more upset.” 

Sihyeon stared at me and suddenly hugged me. 

I was embarrassed, but I wanted that. 

As I was being comforted, grandpa bought snacks. 

“Guys, let’s eat watermelon.” 

He blinks when he saw us hugging each other. 

“I’m being comforted.” 

Grandpa smiled looking at us.

The cold watermelon from the refrigerator boasted fragrant and sweet nectar. 

“Is it okay for you to draw with me later on the show?” 

“Un. What should I do?” 

“You can do it as usual.” 

“Don’t I have to say that? Hit the Subscribe and like button.” 

“It’s okay if you don’t.” 

“No! You have to say that. What do I do? I’m suddenly nervous. Is this really going to be aired? Is my outfit okay? What if I make a mistake?” 

“What mistake?” 

It’s a little funny to see him panicking. 

“My drawing. Won’t they curse me if I can’t draw properly?” 

“They won’t.” 

Come to think of it, some people asked me what underwear I wore or what I did with Henry Marceau throughout the broadcast, and there’s no guarantee that they won’t curse. 

“No. Maybe they will?” 

“Oh, no. Then I’ll stay out of the camera.” 

“Okay.” 

“I’ll be embarrassed if you show my face.” 

“Okay.” 

“Never. Can you promise me?” 

Why is this guy so suspicious of me?