Painter

Genius in art doesn't come around that often.

Maybe once in a generation.

And yet that word, genius,

gets thrown around so casually nowadays,

it has lost all of its meaning,

all of its power.

Today,

everybody is a fucking genius.

To be a genius in painting,

a true genius,

you have to change the medium.

You have to make something that

has never been made before in the history of painting.

Geniuses are the convergence of talent,

and timing.

This is my genius.

Now, you may not like his work.

You may find it derivative and unoriginal.

You may think it lacks depth, or heart, or whimsy,

or focus.

You may hate how he paints.

You may hate his use of color.

And everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

But you,

are wrong.

I should know.

I made him.

When art is hot,

there's nothing hotter.

Nothing on this earth.

It's such a personal, subjective thing,

but maybe,

because it is so elitist,

so unaccessible,

that when the right people

all agree that someone is talented,

they go mad,

they go white blind,

they get a ringing in their ears.

It's as much pain as it is pleasure.

An exhilarating, awful, wonderful feeling.

Like a cold sweat.

Suddenly, everything is racing.

I like to think of it as...

- contemplative, mature... - Hey.

There you are!

I'm leaving.

I just wanted to say thank you, really, thank you.

You're not leaving.

Aldis, I'd love to introduce you to

Carlo and Frederica Trevino.

- Two of my favorite people. - Hi!

- Pleasure. - Oh and they have

a fantastic collection at their house in La Jolla.

Aldis painted this piece we were just discussing.

Splendid, the color, the color!

The color.

And the depth.

So many layers.

Oh, thanks, yeah, I was actually just trying to

- make sure that... - Yeah.

You know who that reminds me of?

Ryan West.

- No, no. - Yes!

Denser, yes.

Well, you two grew up together, right?

- You and Ryan? - We did, yeah.

Went to grade school together,

and high school.

Ryan West is a douchebag and a total fucking hack.

Randall, my darling,

thank you for this very obnoxious evening.

Aldis and I are going to go get drunk now, come on.

- Good meeting you. - Come on!

It was a good show for both of us.

Yeah.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

- Ryan West! - I know.

Such a shit artist.

Okay, okay, he's a decent painter,

but all he does is paint his celebrity friends.

- Oh, not anymore. - And it's so fucking lame.

- Yeah, but it sells like... - Gimmicky shit.

Like, I know that my work is dark.

Dark?

Yeah, you know, it's actually physically dark,

lots of grays and blacks,

only grays and blacks, and whatever, you know?

I get it.

People don't want a five foot by four foot graphite drawing

of a black man's asshole with a fucking skull

- falling out of it. - Let alone many skulls.

Let alone many skulls!

But you're incredible, I mean,

those were the most beautifully detailed skulls,

falling out of the most beautifully detailed asshole.

- If I could draw like you... - No.

- Okay. - No compliments!

- I know, I forgot. - Oh, fuck that!

Why do you always have me at a gay bar?

Ryan West!

- Oh, shit. - Ryan,

how you doing, my man?

Hey, Ryan?

Mr. West, how's your night going?

Come on.

- Come on. - Looking great,

looks like you guys are having fun.

- All right. - Come on, Ryan.

Come on.

Are you the artist?

Um...

Of that one.

Just...

Just that one.

Come to me.

Let me shake your hand.

I'm Joanne.

And you are Aldis Browne.

I guess so.

You've come to spend some quality time

with your painting, huh?

Yeah, it's easier to appreciate the art without all the...

commentary.

Not all the art, sweet boy.

Just yours.

I was at the show last night,

and I waited at the doors for

the gallery to open this morning,

just so I could see your painting again.

It's sold.

All those little red dots.

So old-fashioned.

$7500?

Oh.

I only get half of that.

I would have paid double.

Well good morning, Aldis.

Admiring your work?

Gorgeous piece.

Well done.

I told you it would sell.

- Aren't you happy? - It's under-priced.

Good morning, I'm Randall Pike.

I'm the gallery manager here.

- I'm Joanne. - Well, Joanne,

it's a group show of relatively new,

or emerging artists, I should say.

So they're all priced the same.

I understand, but this piece is under-priced.

I'm willing to pay three times what you're asking.

It's already been sold ma'am.

Bullshit.

Get Carree Tole.

She's not...

Here.

Randall?

In here, Carree.

I need you to cancel my lunch with Heidi,

I'm having lunch with David Byrne instead, oh.

Oh,

hello?

Carree, this lady would like to buy this painting,

but as I already I told her, it's been sold.

And you know Aldis?

Do I?

Yes, he's in the 30under30 show.

This is his painting.

So what's the problem?

- This lady, Joanne... - Joanne Marco.

Ms. Marco would like to buy this painting,

but as I said, it's sold.

I'm willing to pay three times what the buyer paid.

Four.

All right, what is this?

Did you do this?

- Oh, I had... - He had nothing to

- do with it. - I love the piece.

It's an exceptional piece,

and I want it.

Okay.

Who's the original buyer?

Marlee Nickelle Bronson.

Ugh!

Marlee!

Sold.

Randall, call Marlee, tell her she can't have it.

Explain the situation to her.

I'm sure Aldis will be happy to sell her another painting.

Right?

Um, yeah, yeah.

Yeah?

Joanne, thank you.

You made my week, well,

my year.

My pleasure, Aldis.

You're an extremely talented artist.

- Thanks. - Hmm.

I'd love to see your studio.

Oh.