006 ⚜ Video ⚜ A work of art
[After several weeks of not posting on the Network, Francis pops up on the screen, a big smile on his face - as well as a little splotch of red paint on his cheek. His hair is tied up in a little ponytail and he's wearing some old clothes that he's made into painter's clothes. In the background, one might be able to hear the sounds of a popular French band who has an affinity for wearing helmets. He waves a bit at the screen.] Allo, Siren's Port! And good morning! I finally completed two of the scenes ma petite Pino asked me to paint, and I felt rather proud of them, alors, I thought I would show everyone! I haven't painted in ages...!
[He pulls away for a second, then gently pulls into his lap a picture of an inn on the French Riviera, with beautiful multicolored flowers and a great view of the sea. He's backing up a little to make sure the whole painting is in view.] Here is the first one! Pino, are you watching? This is a place called the French Riviera, in English... in my country it's called la Côte d'Azur, which means "the Azure Coast". I didn't get to go there as often as I liked, back home, mais, it is très belle, non? [A grin at the camera.] This is a place near a town called Cannes, in my land of France. [He leaves it there for a few more moments, to let Pino (or whoever is watching) admire it.]
And I have this other one finished too! [He switches out the first painting for a picture of a forest, with a deer and her child traveling across newly-fallen snow.] This is a forest I saw when I was younger, in the country of Canada, where we are now! It is on the other side of Canada from where we are, mais, this is how it looks. Or at least, that is how I first remember this particular forest. I think a lot of the trees are gone now... regardless, this is where my son Matthieu lived, and as we were walking through the snow, we came upon this doe and her fawn walking through the forest! Matthieu was so excited to show them to me, since they rarely came out that time of year... [His eyes show a hint of nostalgia, but the flicker is gone almost instantly.] Ah, I am changing the subject. Do you like it, Pino chérie? [This one he too keeps in view for a few more moments.]
And I have this third one, which is not finished yet, mais, it is coming along quite nicely! [Then he tilts the NV to his easel, to show a half-finished picture of a magnificent sunset near a mountainous coastline. The sunset is done, and it is a blazing glory, filled with reds, pinks, and purples, with blazing oranges and yellows thrown in for accents. The foreground needs to be worked on, but as he said, it is a work in progress.] This one will be done as soon as I can work on it some more! Mais, this is a coast in Seychelles, where my daughter is from. I know it's not complete, and I hate to show a half-finished work... but the other two turned out so well I was just ecstatic to show you, and couldn't wait!
What do you think, chérie?
[He pulls away for a second, then gently pulls into his lap a picture of an inn on the French Riviera, with beautiful multicolored flowers and a great view of the sea. He's backing up a little to make sure the whole painting is in view.] Here is the first one! Pino, are you watching? This is a place called the French Riviera, in English... in my country it's called la Côte d'Azur, which means "the Azure Coast". I didn't get to go there as often as I liked, back home, mais, it is très belle, non? [A grin at the camera.] This is a place near a town called Cannes, in my land of France. [He leaves it there for a few more moments, to let Pino (or whoever is watching) admire it.]
And I have this other one finished too! [He switches out the first painting for a picture of a forest, with a deer and her child traveling across newly-fallen snow.] This is a forest I saw when I was younger, in the country of Canada, where we are now! It is on the other side of Canada from where we are, mais, this is how it looks. Or at least, that is how I first remember this particular forest. I think a lot of the trees are gone now... regardless, this is where my son Matthieu lived, and as we were walking through the snow, we came upon this doe and her fawn walking through the forest! Matthieu was so excited to show them to me, since they rarely came out that time of year... [His eyes show a hint of nostalgia, but the flicker is gone almost instantly.] Ah, I am changing the subject. Do you like it, Pino chérie? [This one he too keeps in view for a few more moments.]
And I have this third one, which is not finished yet, mais, it is coming along quite nicely! [Then he tilts the NV to his easel, to show a half-finished picture of a magnificent sunset near a mountainous coastline. The sunset is done, and it is a blazing glory, filled with reds, pinks, and purples, with blazing oranges and yellows thrown in for accents. The foreground needs to be worked on, but as he said, it is a work in progress.] This one will be done as soon as I can work on it some more! Mais, this is a coast in Seychelles, where my daughter is from. I know it's not complete, and I hate to show a half-finished work... but the other two turned out so well I was just ecstatic to show you, and couldn't wait!
What do you think, chérie?