#mk097 art celseore

[mk097worldbuilding]

Fleshing out character motivation (Art) and themes about art

So...Art's motivation is to create art, given that he left his home in order to find inspiration across the world in order to paint. Sounds fair.

But what is going to make his journey worthwhile? We've got a fuzzball with a magic paintbrush who wants to see new sights, and he uses this magic paintbrush to help and bedazzle people.

There's something profound here but I cannot put my finger on it. There's the obvious "With great power comes great responsibility," for example. Art is wise and well-read enough to know when to use the magic paintbrush. The alternative would be for him to be more impulsive, liberal in his use, to the point where he puts people's lives in danger for his art, but that's saved for another character (Artemis). Something needs to test his mental resolve of responsibility, and that's where I get the idea to have him inadvertently help people.

I read something somewhere about art always being a politicized force, but I can't remember if it was Toni Morrison (link for quote) that gave me the idea first.

And following her quote, perhaps the overall theme connecting Art's stories will be the use of art as negotiating various forms of protest and political power. Which is nice, because there's probably more than one magic paintbrush in the world of Rogucotta. There has to be. Government divisions that go on secret missions to apprehend artsy political terrorists and provocateurs - that's one possibility that I've already thought of for quite some time. Perhaps we can have Art and Artemis dialogue amongst each other about the nature of art in Rogucotta.

The title of this worldbuilding project, "Art's Sake," has much more potential than I first thought. I'm keeping it though I need to find a good linguistic equivalent for the world of Rogucotta. The possibility is slim that a world populated by seven sentient species would adopt the phrase "Art for art's sake" verbatim, though...I'll probably let it slide.

[mk097worldbuilding]

How Art met Lydelle, v1

Having Lydelle just one day wander around and see Art is too awkward and not fleshed out for an encounter, so I thought about it for the past month and here's what I came up with:

...and encounters an old fevan (analogue for "man") with a magical paintbrush who secretly hands him the paintbrush without Art even knowing. So Art continues and somewhere along the way in Weasalpatch he realizes that he has the paintbrush and manages to fool around with it.

Instead of Lydelle just blindly stumbling in, as my original 2012 NaNoWriMo draft had her do, she arrives near Art with a more complete purpose: underneath her fevana tutor and caretaker, she is on assignment to collect artifacts, interview experts and synthesize info about the Great Rogucottan War in 1574 and its fallout afterwards. (Her past, and her rumored cryosleep status, are brought up little by little as she journeys with Art.) We are perhaps introduced to her as an aloof though determined researcher driving in with her truck full of weird equipment that we know little of.

Something happens, I guess Art and Lydelle head to the same place for different reasons, and somehow they meet without Lydelle knowing that Art can bring his paintings to life. Now I need something to make sure Art journeying with Lydelle is a necessity for this story. Perhaps the bond is first established by Art fending off a bunch of carjackers with his painting skills (it is at this moment that Art decides to be non-violent in his approach, more of humiliation and trickery by silly, medium-breaking means) thus saving Lydelle's equipment from destruction and leaving Art with a possible ride north.

Art, having done what he came to the place for, decides to leave north. He's made a few credits off of fresh paintings, and Lydelle is impressed by his artwork and moreover the fact that he has an actual magic paintbrush, which is a rumored device that her caretaker has been looking for for quite some time. Art begins to walk, but sees that the gas tank in the truck is nearly empty, and pays for refueling with some of his credits. Lydelle thanks him, then offers Art a ride. Art thinks about it, and says that he doesn't want to be a burden. He will certainly pay for gas, and will provide any other assistance if needed. Trouble is, he has no final destination in mind. This is serendipitous for Lydelle, for she can keep looking at this new magic paintbrush at work! She agrees to the terms; Art holds to his word and will try to paint a picture for every stop he goes to, in order to perfect his art and broaden his horizons.

Meanwhile, the story's tagline - She's in it for her past. What exactly is her connection to the Great Rogucottan War...?

[mk097worldbuilding]

Art Yolymer is now Art Celseore

After much pondering, I've decided that Art Yolymer's new last name is now Art Celseore. The word "Celseore" comes from Latin "celsior", to be higher, loftier, taller than. Probably describes Art's skill at painting very broadly.

Also, just to keep the art puns flowing: Art Celseore.