#one 28 year old gave my personal details to a photo studio without telling me

[nohkalikai]

honest to god what in the WORLD happens to people in their late 20s and early thirties,,,, u all have 0 chill. zero. shoonya. like...are your friendships unfulfilling?? are you sexually frustrated?? is your career hitting a dead end?? why the fuck do you people take it out on people younger than you. i'm just trying to live my fucking life and navigate similar challenges to you all...

[otterbeesfanficblog]

Something Different {Markus X Android Reader}

CHAPTER 1: A Spark Like No Other

A/N: If you had read my other post, this is one of the stories I will be writing. Reader is the Android next door to Markus, both owners being very good friends. Readers owner is a photographer, and like Markus, Reader was a prototype gift from Kamski. I’m not sure how many Chapters of this I will be doing right now, but I will find out for the next chapter. In any case, I hope you enjoy!

EDIT: Got all the chapters for you guys. There’s a lot...  I’ll edit in links when they are posted.

Chapter 2: Never Seen You Through My Eyes Chapter 3: The Lonely Chapter 4: City Of The Dead Chapter 5: Pick A Star In The Dark And Follow The Light Chapter 6: What’s Gonna Be Left Of The World If You’re Not In It? Chapter 7: Love and Hate Are Beasts... Chapter 8: She Depends On You Chapter 9: Pictures We’re Living Through For Now Chapter 10: The Precipice Of Change Chapter 11: Raise A Glass To Freedom

Date: Nov 4th, 2038 Time: AM 05:24:28

The house was cleaned, clothes washed along with dishes, plants were watered inside the house, coffee was prepped, breakfast was finished, and all that’s left is the garden.

You always did leave the best for last.

Maybe it was the intended way Kamski made you, but you have always been most comfortable in places that were filled with all types of beauty and color. The garden owned by your owner, Aeron Raynott, was one such thing.

Aeron was a 28-year-old famous photographer, his pictures were known around the world, ranging from portraits to landscapes, panoramic photos, and so many more. He was a creative young man, ambitious, stubborn as a mule and known to not fear to speak his mind. Some called him an arrogant child, but many called him a genius.

Despite what the outside world sees and hears about him, you know him quite differently. He treated you well, very well. He always forgets that you aren’t human, often buying two meals when he was out for a day, only coming back to you telling him you didn’t require food. He says that your eye’s reminded him that of baby animals.

One day he told you that you had the eyes of an owl, big eyes filled with wonder, curiosity, and wisdom. He asked if you “Liked your eyes”, at first you only tilted your head to the side, telling him that ‘Like’ is a feeling, and that androids don’t have the ability to form opinions.

He had left it at that for that day, but ever since, he had not stopped trying to get you to feel something. In vain attempt of course, only getting smiles from you.

He thought of you as his best friend, he had told you this many times, and you were his #1 model. If he ever needed a model for a picture, he would beg you to do it. Even though you had told him many times that, no matter what, you would do what he told you to do.

Aeron was sleeping after having stayed up late editing pictures and picking which ones to present in the upcoming art exhibit, finally at 12:46 am you had convinced him to rest.

You found that your mind wonders whenever you were out in nature, seeing all the colors made your LED glow a pretty sky blue.

You were literally made to fit all of Aerons needs, Kamski made it very clear when making you that he wanted you to be different.

So, you were made to be creative, to be able to see everything in every little detail. You could zoom in with your eyes, and you could connect yourself to Aeron’s camera so he could take pictures through your eyes.

He did this a lot, not because it made him money, in fact, he almost never shows anyone pictures he takes with your eyes. He just loves the way you see things, he says he’s honored to even have the chance to see through your eyes.

The only person he has even shown those pictures to was the great Carl Manfred, your neighbor.

And of course his android, Markus.

You and Markus were close, as close as androids can get to another that is, and Carl and Aeron seemed to love having you two together.

Almost every day you two ‘run into’ each other while doing chores.

Speaking of which, you could feel his eyes on you at this very moment.

“Good morning, Markus.”

You say without turning to him, have been picking weeds out of some of the flower bushes. You spoke quietly, but no matter what low a volume you spoke, Markus always seemed to hear it.

“Good morning, Y/N. You are up earlier than usual.”

A soft smile is placed on your lips as you pick up the small bucket of weeds and turn to him.

He wore his normal dark clothing, his soft green eyes looked at you with what you can only assume is curiosity. You walk over to him slowly, the hedge that separated the yards being high enough for you to gently lay your arms on it, resting your head lightly on your arms and smiling up at him.

“Aeron was up late last night, knowing him, he will be up soon.”

“Again? How late this time?”

“12:46 am, unfortunately.”

Markus gave a small smile and shook his head.

“That late, huh? I have to say, you might be getting worse at being a caretaker that soon I’ll have to take over for you.”

You toss a few weeds at him over the hedge and turn away, going over to a bush you hadn’t started as you could hear Markus scuff a laugh.

“Will he be awake enough to meet with Carl today?”

You look over at Markus through your lashes, a smile gracing your face as you close your eyes and go back to the bush.

“I should think so.”

After this, a comfortable silence fell over you two, as Markus and you cleaned and cared for your respective gardens. You finished sooner and were now sitting upon a large rock in the big koi fish pond, and now you simply watched as they swam.

You had taken your shoes off and lightly tapped your toes on the top of the water, watching as the koi swam under your feet, brushing up against you.

You were lost in your own little world that you hadn’t seen Markus leave, or heard Aeron call you, then see you in the pond, and run back into the house, and come back out with his camera.

The click of said camera was what made you jump, turning your head and looking like a dear in the headlights as Aeron took several more pictures.

You smiled and let out a ‘breath’ of air.

“Aeron..”

“One more, one more, I promise!”

“Whenever you say ‘ one more’, you take 30 more.”

Aeron smiles at you from behind his camera.

“Okay, okay, one last one, I promise. I just need you to look into the pond as if you were dreaming again,” He knelt close to the edge of the pond, looking at you through the camera as he kept his ‘encouraging’ speech going.

“Look into it as if you see what you have always wanted. Longing for it, yearning for it!”

You do as he asks, looking dreamily into the pond. You weren’t really thinking of anything, much to Aeron's disappointment, it was very apparent on your face.

But as promised, he took one more pictured and helped you out of the pond.

You smile up at him and give him your automatic greeting for the day.

“Good morning, Aeron. Are you ready to start the day?”

*****************

Date: Nov 4th, 2038 Time: PM 06:05:01

“Leave the poor kids alone, Aeron, don’t you have enough pictures?”

You and Markus stand side by side as Aeron takes a few more pictures then turns to Carl, giving a look that made Carl laugh as Aeron whined.

“But Carl look at them! They are the epitome of perfection!! I’m surprised you haven’t painted at least Markus a few times. I know I would, I mean, look at him!”

It was at this point Aeron took a hold of Markus’ face, surprising both androids as he practically marvels at Markus’ face. Carl was shaking his head, watching as poor Markus had to endure having his face played with.

“Look at this beautiful, beautiful jaw line. And! And! Those strong green eyes that just pierce your soul! The perfection of his brows! UGH! And don’t get me started on the skin! Ugh, beautiful. Lovely freckles dotting his face, just in the right place just. Mmm, stunning. Perfect. Brilliant. You’re beautiful Markus, absolutely stunning.”

“Yeah, I see that you are making the poor boy incredibly uncomfortable.”

Aeron rolls his eyes and lets Markus go.

“Sorry Markus, you’re just so pretty. A perfect boy.”

“Uhm... Thank you?”

You look down at the ground smiling, a weird tingling in your chest as you watch Markus readjust himself and look at you again. The look on Markus’ face was too much for you as you put a hand up to your mouth, to poorly cover up your giggles.

Carl and Aeron got into another conversation, you and Markus simply standing idly by. It was then when Carl looked at you both and sighed.

“You two don’t have to stand and listen to us chat this whole time. Go on, go. Go find something to do while we chat.”

Markus nodded right away, but you were hesitant. Aeron chuckled and waved his hand to shoo you away.

“Go on, Y/N. You’ve been with Markus before, he won’t bite.”

You feel your thirium pump sped up when Markus turned to you.

“Why don’t we practice more piano?”

“That’s a great idea, Markus.” Carl nodded. “You two go on inside, Aeron will go get you if we need anything.”

With that, you nod and follow Markus into his and Carl’s home.

You had been in this house many times, and you had mapped it out since the third time you visited. So, you felt no shyness when being greeted by the house. Despite being here many times before, you still love to look at all the beautiful things in the house. You loved the birds in the front, and you adored the ceiling in the living room/dining room. Of course, the place you had loved to be to most was Carl’s studio.

Aeron’s studio was like Carl’s, with the wide open space and the big glass windows. Both places made you smile from ear to ear, but there was something about Carl’s that made you feel... warm?

Aeron’s had a feeling of being everywhere and everything all at once, something to awe at. And it’s not to say you didn’t feel comfortable in Aeron’s space, it was simply that you know what it’s like to be in awe of everything all the time.

You were programmed to take in over 7 billion things at once.

But, in Carl’s studio, you could... stop.

You could take in the simple things.

That’s one thing you liked about Markus as well, he made it so easy to be in awe of the little things that make life interesting.

Like, take now for instance.

You sit next to him on the stool of the piano and watch him play, and somehow he makes it very obvious that every key is important, that every note is important to form a song.

Markus made the little thing so important, so special.

You wish you could stop seeing the big picture all the time, and see the small picture. You wish you could be like Markus, to be simple and yet...

So, perfect.

“Y/N? Are you okay?”

You blink a few times before looking up at Markus, sitting side by side, it was difficult to not brush your shoulders together. That warm, tingling feeling came into your chest again as you looking into Markus’ eyes, only then seeing his LED flashing yellow.

“I’m sorry,” You shake your head. “I was... lost in thought.”

“About?”

“Hm?”

Markus turned his body a bit to face you a little more, showing all of his attention was on you. For some reason, that made your body feel hot, causing your cooling fans to work a bit faster.

“What were you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about how perfect you are.”

You quickly choose not to say what was on your mind as you turn back to the piano.

“I was wondering... how you manage to make it look so easy.”

Deep down, you knew Markus won’t fall for that answer, and the flashing yellow of his LED made that clear. But soon enough it turned back to sky blue as he dropped the issue, turning to the piano again.

“Well, it’s not as hard as you think. Here, play this on your side.”

Markus then played three keys on the low scale side of the piano, you copying him on the high keys.

Markus then played four more different keys, and you copied again. Markus then played four keys at the same time moved to another four keys.

This is when you gave him a look, to which he responded with a laugh and a smile.

“Look, it's not that hard-”

“It sounds hard.”

Markus shook his head with a smile.

“Look, I’ll show you. Just put your fingers-”

Before he could finish, he went to touch your hands to move them to the right spot, but something strange happened.

A surge of electricity shot through both your hands, making a blue spark appear between both you and Markus’ fingertips. This made you both jump up and stand up, you yelped and Markus gasped. The stool tipped over by how fast both of you stood up, making a rather loud thud.

Both of you felt something, both feeling a strange fuzzy feeling, it traveled from your hand up your arm and all through your bodies. You both visibly shiver from this feeling, then look at each other in shock.

“What... what was that?”

Your voice was low as you held your hand to your chest, Markus shook his head looking at his own hand.

“I’m not... quite sure what that was. It felt...”

“Strange...” You finished, looking at him with slight fear but mild curiosity.

Both of you had the same idea, as you slowly extend your hands to one another. As you go to touch the other, the skin on your hands fades, leaving behind the white porcelain fingers and palms.

Soon your fingertips touch again, no spark this time, but the warm feeling was very obvious. As you touched, a blue-ish huge starts to show on all the places your hands connected, and the warm feeling soon traveled from your hand to your wrist.

And from your wrist to your elbow, all the while, your skin disappeared more and more till nothing but white was your arm. Both you and Markus were in a trance by this, and suddenly you started to see things.

Not things, memories.

But, these memories were not yours.

You saw Carl and watched him paint, and eat, and you cooked and cleaned...

And then you saw yourself. In the garden behind your house. From this morning.

Soon enough it was too much and you snatched your hand away from Markus, gasping and holding your hand back to your chest as the skin of your arm went back to its S/C tone.

You were staring at Markus with wide eyes, as he stared back at you, not nearly having the same face of fear as you.

“I saw... I saw your memories.”

He spoke quietly, a lot softer and low than he ever had before.

You nod.

“I saw your’s too... With Carl and... and him painting and...”

“I saw me.” Markus tilted his head at you. “I saw me as if looking throw a mirror, it was like... watching myself in a movie. I saw myself walking and talking as clear as day... Did you... Did you see yourself too? Through my eyes?”

All you could do was nod, your stress was getting higher and higher, turning your LED into a blood red color. This is what brought Markus out of his daze, as he stepped forward to you.

“Y/N, I-”

You stepped back from his outstretched hand.

You were confused, and in awe, but most of all.

You were scared.

“Markus, Y/N? Are you two alright? We heard a noise.”

Carl was being wheeled in by Aeron, both the young man and the old man having concerned faces for the frightened looking androids. Markus was smart enough to cover for both of you.

“We were just playing and... we got up to go check on you both and the stool fell over. That’s all.”

Carl nor Aeron seemed convinced, but you nodded your head to agree with Markus. You didn't trust your voice enough to speak, so all you could do was nod.

“Well... Aeron was just about to leave, we came back in to get Y/N.”

Soon enough, you shook off your fears, your LED going back to its sky blue, and you nod.

“Of course, we shall be on our way then. Aeron, you have many calls to make as well.”

Aeron nodded slowly, then started making his way to the exit, you following close behind. Aeron said his goodbye to Carl and Markus, Carl doing the same to you and Aeron. And just as you were closing the door behind you, you heard something.

Someone, in your head.

Markus.

“Please... Meet me tonight when Aeron is asleep.”

You look back at Markus one last time, before closing the door behind you.

[anndelize]

What do you do when one of your good friends is also an incredibly inspirational and dedicated multi-media artist? Well, you interview them of course! 🙂

The Interview

Who are you and what do you do? 

I can call myself an artist after 20 years of self doubt. I do painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, but first and foremost, I draw.

Why do you do what you do? 

Because I cannot stop. I get tetchy and irritated if I don’t draw for a while. Ideas also swirl through my head and, like winding up a clock, sooner or later it is fully wound up and ready to come out as a sketch, drawing, painting, etc.

How do you work? 

I get passionate about my project, read and research as much as I can, talk to friends/artists, sketch ideas as I go. I need to be alone once I start working. People distract me then. I’m currently working on the kitchen table as the studio room I have is too small and cluttered, and cold in the winter. I start the studio day doing household chores so I can then focus on my art without distraction. It would be a dream to have a studio away from the house. It is also helpful to have a few projects on the go, or an exhibition date to work to. Otherwise work (my other job), life, family, friends call me away.

  Klara Jones (detail) Allerleirauh, silicone, paint, human hair, animal skins

What’s your background? 

I’m from a Central European background, Hungary and Romania. I have been told my subject matter and style is quite dark.

I’ve studied only through TAFE (Adult Education College), first with a certificate in art and design, then working towards a diploma in visual arts. Something I never completed, however it gave me skills in film photography and darkroom process, as well as painting, drawing and printmaking.

I found the more teachers one has over time, the more one learns.

I had to leave study to work and picked up a job as a graphic designer based on a folio of drawings.

  Klara Jones. Old man Boogie, pen and ink, tea, watercolour

  What’s integral to the work of an artist? 

The freedom to explore. Supportive friends and family who respect my art as work. Being part of an artist community to share ideas and solidarity.

Permission to allow myself to go into the studio even if it’s not a productive day.

Discipline to stay in there when it’s a beautiful day outside or my art isn’t working out.

What role does the artist have in society? 

In good times, the artist can feed the soul with beauty or thought-provoking work. In bad times, the artist can feed the soul and create a temporary escape. Without artists, there would be no movies, fashion, aesthetics in architecture or cars, furniture, watches, clothing. It is all around us.

  Klara Jones. The Race, oil paint on canvas

Klara Jones. RRH woodcutter, oil on canvas board, old oak frame

What has been a seminal experience? 

That moment for me was in 1986 at the Brisbane Art Gallery, QLD. I went to see the 20thCentury Masters exhibition of works from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. I walked around a corner and saw Picasso’s ‘Woman in White’. The sight of it knocked the air out of me and staring at it was the moment I thought I must learn to create work as beautiful.

Explain what you do in 100 words 

I draw mostly, sometimes whimsical pen and inks, sometimes more serious portraits and nudes. I love the face, the body, the person. It is an endless exploration – from describing the curves and lines that create a figure, to the folly of human character.

I prefer black and white as so much can be described with tone, line and texture. Colour can sometimes confuse the message, although it has its uses for emotion and interest.

  Klara Jones. Death Tree, pen and ink, gold leaf

How has your practice changed over time 

I think I’ve grown more skilled and confident. I used to worry that I wasn’t selling work and making a living from it. For me now, it’s not about earning money, it’s about having something to say and sharing it. Also, I don’t need to worry about what will sell and making it ‘commercially appealing’.

It has always been about making people smile, feel an emotion or to think.

What art do you most identify with? 

The line. Whether it is drawing, etching or big calligraphic brush strokes.

What work do you most enjoying doing? 

Drawing. Whether it’s the feint spidery tickle of pencil on cartridge, the dark, thick smudge of charcoal or the danger of nib pen and with Indian ink (danger being the potential to splat on the page if I am not concentrating).

Or, I could say, whatever I am doing when the flow hits me. When I paint, I fall in and out of love with the painting depending on what stage it is at. I love the technical side as well, so printmaking or working in the darkroom developing photos is great.

  Klara Jones. Samarai Girl, pen and ink, tea, watercolour

Klara Jones. Handless Maiden, graphite on rag paper

What themes do you pursue? 

Human nature and story telling. I’m currently reading Grimm’s tales. It works on so many levels: love, escape, morals, adventure, the protagonist ending with success, good guys, bad guys, tragedy, sometimes magic or a gift, evil, fragility, resistance, honesty, bravery, perseverance.

What’s your favourite art work? 

That is tough. It’s like asking what is my favourite song.

Probably depending on my mood at the time.

Many artworks. Woman in White remains one of my favourite paintings. It is serene, multi-layered but with simple, muted colour. William Dobell’s portrait of Helena Rubenstein in the NGV Australia. A wood bas relief of Salome from the 14thC in the NGV International. Eastern European religious icons. Otherwise, anything by Caravaggio or several Australian and local Gippsland artists.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you? 

Warsaw National Museum, a student, Erik, from the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, was painting a 1:1 scale of Jan Matejko’s ‘Battle of Grunwald’. Size of the original is 10 metres wide x 4metres deep. Erik was painting it in twelve panels over two years. His dedication to the project made me think to lift my game.

I also know two art teachers, who are partners. They both work fulltime and raise a child. They each take a turn in the studio after work whilst the other sorts out the family, dinner and housework. This is discipline. And it works.

Klara Jones. At the Opera, pen and ink ,and tea

Klara Jones. Angel Faith, pen and ink

Why art? 

Art is important to life. My life. Also to everyone. To live without it would make life dull.

What is an artistic outlook on life? 

Seeing beauty in small things or trying to draw attention to the everyday.

Problem solving by not always thinking logically.

What memorable responses have you had to your work? 

My first solo exhibition. I had no idea if anyone would turn up. It was crowded and I sold 2/3 of the work on opening night. As much as selling the work wasn’t so important, it was validation that it was worthwhile and people connected with it.

A few people said they had cried when they saw pieces I had made.

  Klara Jones. Inktober 28

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it? 

It can be lonely. When I’m busy or have limited time I don’t notice it.

I might take a little break or an evening off. Spend time with my partner or call family or a friend.

When people come to visit I cannot work and have to pack up and pay attention to them. I must be careful not to spend too much time alone.

What do you dislike about the art world? 

One comment about me once, “but she only draws.” No he hadn’t seen anything else I have done over the years but the comment was still insulting. 

I see drawing as a means in itself, not a means to an end.

Art investment that follows trends, rather than talent. 

Pretentiousness with only mediocre work.

Snobbishness – when one must have the right CV to become short-listed for an art prize and come from the ‘right’ art school. It should be judged on how accomplished and imaginative the artist is and the artwork should speak for itself.

  Klara Jones. Cat and Mouse, charcoal, gesso

What do you dislike about your work? 

That I only draw.

Sorry, no, that’s not true.

That I don’t draw enough.

That I don’t do anything enough.

That I can get distracted.

That I thought after 20 years I would be more accomplished. I see art and skill as levels. Always chasing the next level and hoping not to go backwards.

What do you like about your work? 

I like when I get it right and cannot criticise it. I enjoy looking at some pieces even years later.

Should art be funded? 

Well, YES!

What role does arts funding have? 

It allows artists the chance to explore their ideas without compromise, pays for art material, allows communities to have projects when they couldn’t otherwise realise their ideas. There is a cultural aspect to a society and part of the government’s job is to promote the culture within the society. 

  Klara Jones. Lady Bear, pen and ink, tea, watercolour

What research do you do? 

Internet, reading books on topics, techniques, visiting galleries, talking with fellow artists, or non-artists, on topics I might need to learn. 

What is your dream project? 

The one I am doing – Grimm’s tales.

Then the next one…

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to. 

Sue Fraser, local Gippsland artist.

Kathe Kollwitz, German expressionist artist.

Aubrey Beardsley

Favourite or most inspirational place 

NGV International and NGV Australia in Melbourne. After his death in 1904, Alfred Felton left money to the National Gallery of Victoria, which has been used to invest in artwork, making it one of the best galleries in the world. I always have a little thrill when I see ‘Felton Bequest’ next to an artwork.

Klara Jones. Girl Sheets, pen and ink, tea, watercolour

Klara Jones. Girl Monkey, pen and ink, tea, watercolour

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 

Don’t start the details too early in a drawing. Keep it general for a while until you know it is correct.

Also, if the eye is in the wrong place (for example), even if it’s the best eye you have ever drawn, rub it out and correct it.

Professionally, what’s your goal? 

To be professional in my art and its presentation. To not settle for a lesser work if I can re-do it better.

What wouldn’t you do without? 

Staedler Mars Lumograph pencils. They’re not top-of-the-range, but are still smooth to draw with. I can carry them anywhere. Plus a sketchbook for sketching people, taking notes in galleries or thrashing out ideas anywhere, anytime. These two are the most basic things. Everything else is fluff.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and processes with us Klara.

To see more of Klara’s work visit her Instagram page below:

Klara Jones, Instagram

Artist Interview: Klara Jones What do you do when one of your good friends is also an incredibly inspirational and dedicated multi-media artist?