Art of the Soul in the eyes of the Potato

 Written by: John "Potato" Peloquin 

Started this adventure scrolling through the village enjoying the peaceful day with a baked potato. I stopped my pace to finish eating and saw the library had a sign in big letters saying there was an art show on display. I looked closer and read a small description saying they are still accepting submissions for it. Thinking about how I dabble in the arts myself, I decided to check what it's about. I walked in and started to gaze around the library admiring the woodwork on the walls. I eventually spotted signs posted pointing where to go for the art and followed. I walked round the corner and saw the installation, such a variety of art to admire. Before I continued on to get a closer look, I was stopped by someone who looked to be a librarian. I was asked if I had any questions or art to submit to the show. I ask them a few general questions about the place before asking what the theme was and who can submit a piece for the show. They smiled before saying “anyone with art in their soul can submit their work, up to three different mediums that represent themselves. Place it on an empty display and write on the placecard is all you have to do. The theme is art of the soul. What art shows off your passion and soul? Have a look around, enjoy your time, and be inspired.” I looked at her a little stunned, deeper than what I was expecting. She smiled, turned, and walked off without another word.

I look down the hall and see a couple people putting up their art to display or admiring the art. Closer to the end of the hall, I think I might’ve seen two people with metallic skin, shiny clothes, and glowing eyes and hair near some plushies on a display. The yellow-haired one looked like they were adding to the display before they turned a corner out of the hall. I think I’ve walked by them before towards their house in Sanctuary. I should go over and formally introduce myself some time. I thought to myself, before walking up to the first display.

The display had a little card that read Heart of Omri crafted by Omri, displaying a heart sculpture beholding what they valued most to them. I gazed at the heart sculpture that was open wide to receive and give love. A purple shine like a geode inside exposed, placed in empty spaces were hearts to show the love that has been given, a butterfly kissing an edge of the heart to make it flutter, and a dragon tucked away showing their bravery to protect what they love. I thought back to myself how inspiring this heart was to show that love was something to be cherished and protected. 

I scrolled off to the next display, it was a small book. The display read a Light rune trial a story of three princesses written by Mistral. I sat back at a convenient chair by the display. Feel like it is there for the purpose of enjoying this tale. I lost track of time in this riveting tale about the princesses battling against a dark wizard wanting to take the kingdom and power they had. Through this reading I start to get this feeling it's more than just a tale about saving their kingdom. It's about their journey on overcoming insecurities and accepting who you truly are. In the end everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, but one can become stronger when with others. What a thoughtful tale for people to enjoy. I closed the book and put it back on display, so others can learn from it and proceeded to the next display.

The display was an armor stand with a place card pinned on the chest. On the shoulder was a striking deep green pauldron and below it, the place card that read Leather pauldron crafted by Saegan. The leather pauldron was designed, textured, and dyed forest green. On the main plate displayed two embossed majestic stags locked in combat, displaying strength and the untamed spirit of the soul. The plate under it had the heraldry of Blackwood embossed on it, identifying where he hails from. The strap had an intricate design flowing down the sides showing off his attention to detail. Overall this piece shows the dedication to the craft made with the passion of his soul. I should keep his name in mind with my journey of learning leather crafting. Maybe he has some knowledge he'd willing to share.

I continued on to the next display while thinking to myself what art could represent my soul? It was another armor stand, this time displaying a Leather chest piece. The place card with it read Leather chest armor crafted by Gordon. So this is the chest piece I overheard them talking about. Not being done quite yet, but wanted to still show off his skill. Dyed a pitch black with a tree burned on the front of it. The tree outstretches its branches and roots across the front. Could be representing their strength and deep roots in the realms. The dedication in their craft shows off as well, can't wait to see this finished being used in battle. The details and craftsmanship is already stunning. I should keep their name in mind as well if I want to learn some tricks of the craft.

Bowls crafted by Keith C. & Emma S.

I headed off to the next display to view, thinking about how many inspiring artists and craftsmen there are in the realms on the way. It’s of two bowls with a place card that read "Clay bowls crafted by Irri and Saegan." One was of a solid deep blue with what looked like herbs or flowers branching up the bowl in a dark green. It appears they could have dipped herbs or flowers in colored paint and pressed an impression onto it. Same on the teal colored rim on the bowl. Displaying white herbs or flowers branching around the rim. How creative to use them in such a way to decorate the bowl. And the bowl itself must've been made with delicate hands to get this even, smooth shape and perfectly formed rim. I look at the other bowl, it's a solid sky blue bowl with pine green trees painted around branching up to the rim. Near the bottom of the bowl under the trees is a lighter blue striped in a patched jaggy fashion around the bowl. Staring at the bowl for a couple minutes, it started to remind me of bracers Saegan wears. I wondered if that's what he was going for as I turned away from the display to see what was next.

 

On display is a necklace with a place card that reads Ladybugs love crafted by Hedda. A beautiful clear heart-shaped pendant with a ladybug inside. The details on the ladybug itself is eye-catching. The way the lines swirl around and are perfectly symmetrical on each side with each other. The details in the necklace shows the love she put into her work to create beautiful works like this. It's as beautiful as the souls that dwell in Sanctuary, I thought to myself as I made my way to the next.

  I walk up to the next display and it looks like a couple tables were put together to make more room. The place card read "Multiple works of art crafted by Lady Tarnisha and my daughter Mandolin."  There were some colorfully fun gingerbread cookies decorated on a platter. Next to them were some sewn fabric stuffed plague rats, maybe trying to get the delicious-looking cookies on the platter. A beautiful dream catcher on a cold-colored matching necklace that looks like it will be used for a ward spell. As well as what appears to be a worst-case scenario colored drawing of a solar eclipse. I feel like these ones were done with little Mandolins growing talents, very nicely done by her. There was a sheet of paper next, it was a ballad written and titled Ballad of Darkvale, sounds like it's about what took place during Winter Reverly. The last piece was a sideless light blue and tan surcoat. It had its own little note attached to it that said it's just a first pattern for a more complex  SL surcoat, she is making for King Orion's Coronation. Even so it was still elegant, decorated with an upper band of flowers along the chest line, and patch of flowers under the right armhole of the surcoat. If this is just the first pattern I can't wait to see how gorgeous the final will be. This display of work just shows the time they spend with family is what's important to her soul. 

So much to reflect on as I scroll through this hall of art, so many impressive artists in these lands. I reach the next display with a place card that reads Enchanted armor token and Heraldry of The Kingdom of Misery crafted by Rain. The armor token was black with a scattered line pattern on one side and on the other an incomplete looped heart wrapped in leather around the circle edge. Next to it a drawn heraldry with a rainbow over a castle silhouette. Both are well-crafted pieces of art for their journey ahead.

The next display to be seen was a poem written by Styx. I found the poem to be captivating how they captured what their soul would look like. Felt like I was there looking into their soul, the home that was built that shows the hardships and good times the soul has had. Content with who they are as a person and the journey they have had. Home is where the soul is. As I placed the poem back down for others to see I got a whiff of something sweet going behind me and turned around.

It was Fern quickly walking by with the smell of something sweet filling the air. I see them stop at an empty display and place a plate and a little display card. Before I could reach them for some small talk, they started to walk away to leave. So I let them, must be busy getting ready for the coming events like others. I can just read the little display place card about what smells so good and catch up later. The display card read Earl Grey Honey cheesecake, Blackberry and Sage cheesecake, and Chocolate Sumac cheesecake baked by Fern. They even left an additional place card describing her choice in work. It said “As many of you know, I love baking and coming up with new desserts. As slightly fewer of you know, I am an Avatar of the Beast, and Avatars of the Beast must eat cheesecake. For this Art of the Soul project, I created a set of three types of cheesecakes meant to represent me: Earl Grey and Honey for a more academic side, and bees!, Blackberry and Sage for my appreciation of nature, and Chocolate and Sumac again for my love of nature but also the comforting aspects of life. These were a good intellectual challenge for me, as I have not made many cheesecakes on my own before. I had to heavily adapt the recipes I was basing these off of, and I had to gauge the flavor balances correctly on my first try. I did a ritual with them shortly after finishing them. They turned out just as wonderful as I envisioned, and even the decorations played along. Truly food for the soul!” Could be the leftovers from the ritual, I wanted to try a nibble but resisted. I've been told the cheesecakes they make are beyond delicious, I'm sure one day I'll get one. I took off from the display before I couldn't resist any longer.

I reached the final display and read the place card. Two plushies of Kas' parents, no name of who crafted it. These plushies look like the ones I saw earlier. One plush of a short yellow haired person wearing a knitted yellow shirt, pale red surcoat, and brown pants for an outfit. There was also a rock placed next to it, that's what they placed on the display. The other was of a long red haired person wearing a knitted light purple top and violet pants to match. So much detail went into embroidering and sewing the plush together. The clothes they wear are so tightly and neatly knitted together, amazing craftsmanship.

I thought about leaving the art show, but then I looked at an empty display. I stood there and thought if my crafts had anything I thought was worthy of being shown off as my art of the soul. After some thought I walked over and decided to place two items. I took out my chainmail coif with holes for my ears, my first chainmail craft. I made it because I wanted to be more protected so I can fight better with my friends and allies. I had fun making it, and will continue until it's a full suit. The other piece of art I decided to place were a few of my Potato Chips I have been making. Woodburned circular chips one side a potato and the other a number one with a P and C, with a decorative dash border going around. I hand burned each one, and have many more to continue making. My hope is to make it a new currency the realms will like when Im ready. Back by my shop and food cart, if anything maybe they'll want to collect the art. I put my soul into my art and the memories I make with my friends. I write down on the placecard what I placed on the display and my name. Left the art show with a little more thought about what art of the soul can be and appreciation for the artists for showing me their soul.