So I got a comment from Becky on the painting that was featured in the “bedroom” video I posted awhile back. I thought I should explain the story behind it, one of my older blogs I talked about the painting a lot cause I was so proud of it when i got it. I’ll try and give a different story this time around. The painting, by the way, is Erte’s “Romain Mystere.” At least I think that is the name of it. Anyways, here is the story . . . .

On almost every cruise (actually I think every cruise) they have art auctions. My boyfriend has become addicted to them. The first cruise we took together I don’t think he bothered. The second cruise he at least went and watched. By the third and fourth he was hooked and knew all their tricks. I will go to the art previews with him, this is where they show off all the fabulous works of art they are auctioning off. Most of it is modern art, which just doesn’t really do much for me I’m afraid. I wouldn’t say what is on the cruise is modern, I’d say it is contemporary I guess. Now they do sometimes have Rembrandt sketches, going for tens of thousands of dollars of course. That is more my taste when it comes to art, but not in my budget. I grew up looking at my dad’s art books. He is a pretty good painter and had tons of art books featuring all the classical painters that you expect to see in galleries. My take on art is if I can paint it, then it’s not art. I’m sorry, but painting a couple of squares or lines doesn’t do it for me folks.

Anyways I’m getting off track as usual. I usually go to the previews and look at the paintings, say they are all very nice and leave. A few hours later I’ll walk into the auction, my BF will still be sitting where he was when it started. I’ll ask how much he’s spent. He’ll tell me “Oh I bought this this and this, but I don’t know if I want to keep them or not.” Tip Number 1 for new cruisers. If you go to the auction, bid on every mystery piece they offer. At least on a Carnival cruise you NEVER have to actually keep/buy the mystery piece if you don’t like it. It’s basically a trick/con. The auctioneer will have a painting turned around, you see the back. He says I’m going to give you this painting for 300 dollars! After everyone who takes the chance bids then he turns it around. Usually however the mystery piece is something really good, and if you don’t bid on it you’ll be saying “!@$%@$#%@ I needed that!” He’ll then say if you don’t want it you don’t have to take it, see an agent on your way out. Oh by the way, if you go on a cruise and bid on a mystery piece and they make you buy it, don’t send me the bill. Do you believe everything you read on the net? (Seriously though, every Carnival auction I’ve been to they don’t make you keep it. If you are skeptical let the first one go by).

So on this last cruise we looked through the art previews. In the preview we saw this piece. I was like “I like that, bid on it!” This was the first time I actually told him to buy something. Later I came back to see how he was doing, he was three sheets to the wind. Tip number 2 for new cruisers, you will only get free booze a few times on the ship. The first is the repeat cruisers function, obviously if you are new you will not be invited. The second is the art auctions, they give away champagne there free. If you like (cheap) champagne, just sit there and drink away. Anyways I come in to find out one of the mystery pieces was the painting I liked! Of course at this point he had over-extended himself and didn’t know if he was going to keep it. I told him he was, I would pay for it as it was the one thing I liked.

So this is how I came to acquire the one and only piece of art I own. The artist is known mainly for his Art Deco period work. This painting however is a very late in life work, he did this in the very early 80s. I think that’s why I liked it. It had a Cruella DeVille meets a QuarterFlash or Pat Benatar album cover art work quality about it. My boyfriend is now redoing the entire bedroom around this painting to encourage my interest in art. Sorry to disappoint, I probably won’t be buying anymore. I’d rather waste my money on videogames 🙂

Dustin