Page 41 of Statler

It would have been enough, all on its own, but…

He shook his head incredulously

Someone had, over years, it seemed, painted on every available surface.

Extraordinary landscapes. Abstracts. People. Whimsical scenes. The renderings stretched the length of the rocky ledges that eventually disappeared into the trees, while covering verticals measuring fifteen feet or more.

And this was no graffiti; although Statler wasn’t a snob about that. He had an appreciation for all the arts; tagging included.

But this…

Someone had used every smooth face as their canvas; carefully brush-painting their creations, each in exquisitely fine detail.

Statler finally found the strength to move his ass.

Reverently he walked over to the nearest image and ran one hand over the sun-warmed surface where a large red barn was depicted. It was so well done, he felt like he could walk right in the door and there’d be animals and fresh hay waiting.

He could…almost smell it.

Excited now, Stat moved slowly around to examine each and every rock, finding a treasure-trove that was mind-boggling.

There were layers and layers of depictions that clearly spanned time. Many were superimposed over one another, with just small glimpses afforded of what lay beneath. It was obvious to Stat that it had been done purposefully; like the person wanted to leave some kind of a record for what had come before. It was like when in a renovated building, the decorators let some of the original brick peek through from beneath the plaster.

Statler continued to marvel.

The landscapes were stunningly done with detail that blew his mind.

There were abstracts where colors joyfully danced across the cliff faces, while still, somehow blending seamlessly with nature.

Practically tripping over himself, Statler eagerly went from surface to surface, every new thing causing his mouth to drop open.

Then he saw…the people.

Damn.

They were so lifelike.

But not.

Whoever had rendered them, had made them extremely colorful.

The woman holding her arms wide, with love pouring from her eyes, was dressed in hues that would pop at a carnival. The man, depicted over and over in various poses and always flashing the brightest of smiles, was brilliant in all regards.

Statler could tell he was a favorite subject.

Then there was the woman holding a mouth-watering pie filled with vibrant fruit.

Damn. It was good. And even though the lady was all about the pie-offering, Statler felt like he could almost start a conversation with her.

He rounded another corner, and…

Wow.

Here was a work-in-progress.

Stat had just begun to wonder if the person responsible for all of this was still painting, or if they’d given up on the installation.

This unfinished silhouette gave him that answer.