“This used to be a glass factory,” Constantin said, standing beside her and surveying the studio. “When the factory closed, I was able to buy the space cheaply and customize it for myself. As a bonus, I used leftover glass to update the stained glass windows and create a wall in the shower.”
“In the shower?” she exclaimed in surprise.
“Yes, I live here on the second floor. I don’t stray far from work, so to speak.”
“Interesting approach. What is today’s exhibition dedicated to?” Sophia asked.
“Inspiration at night,” Van replied. “That’s why I started at sunset, so visitors can transition smoothly from evening to night, noticing new details in the drawings.”
“Do you prefer to create at night?”
“Sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough daylight to express the depth of my thoughts on the canvas. That’s why I harness the night with its endless supply of ideas and possibilities. Under the light of the lamps, my drawings take on a completely different meaning and energy – something that can’t be captured during the day.”
Constantin gestured around the studio with a sense of parental pride.
“He’s still trying to hold on to his dreams,” Libby sighed, lounging provocatively on the sofa. “Last night, he jumped up as if scalded and started drawing twins.”
“Twins?” Sophia asked aloud.
“You have a good eye,” Constantin smirked. “This piece is brand new; I literally painted it last night. What do you think?”
He led her to the painting, which depicted two girls holding hands. It might have seemed unremarkable, except for the fact that he had painted them as albinos.
“That’s not all,” Constantin said proudly. “When the sun starts to set, we’ll definitely come back to this piece.”
Sophia glanced warily at the sofa, where Libby lay with her tail draped over her shoulders like a shawl.
“Well, what did I tell you? At this rate of progress, I’ll be sent back and demoted,” she sighed.
As the sun set, Sophia was surprised to see how many people had arrived. Men and women of different ages gradually filled the hall. The bartender, who had arrived half an hour before opening, was already mixing drinks, entertaining the guests with his skilled hands.
Sophia ordered a martini, noticing that it was a popular choice among the women, and slowly walked around the studio, trying to find something to hold onto in her search for a solution. The task was indeed no easy feat.