Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

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librarian_7
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Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by librarian_7 »

Author’s Note: This story is a collaboration between OnceBitTwiceShy and myself for Champagne Challenge #128: Reader/Writer II. OBTS provided the idea of Josef visiting Santa Fe in the 1920’s, and running into…well, you’ll have to read the story. The settings are as accurate as I can make them, having been in Santa Fe myself many times, and also using various resources on the City Different, as they call it, and its inhabitants back in the ‘20s. While I could find no record of a hotel located in Sena Plaza, such a place does exist, and who knows? It could have housed a small hotel at one time. The artists’ colony, and their compound on Camino del Monte Sol, are documented. There will be a thread with a set of pictures and links to places, costumes, cars, posted after the most chapters. My thanks to OBTS not only for the idea, but for her encouragement and input as the story progressed. I don’t own Josef, or any of the historical locations and personages mentioned in the story. Any errors or misrepresentations of fact are mine.


Camino del Monte Sol


V. The Museum of New Mexico Art Gallery

The evening being so fine, and the walk such a short one, from Sena Plaza to the Art Gallery of the Museum of New Mexico, Stephen eschewed having the Mercedes brought around to the front of La Fonda just to pick up the girls. He thought they were a little disappointed, but of course, no one said a word. And it was a pretty picture they made, his girls, tripping along on their French heels, past the Governor’s Palace to the other side of the square.

Stephen saw more than one envious look being thrown his direction as he strolled along, with Patrice and Louise on either side, and Dorothea following not far behind. His black suit with its knife edge creases in the cuffed trousers and snowy white shirt made a pleasing contrast to the brighter colors of the women’s gowns and matching light wraps. Patrice wore a beaded dress with a fluttering handkerchief hem in a bright yellow that set off her golden hair; Louise’s dark good looks were accentuated by her scarlet gown, and made even more exotic by the diamante headdress that she wore, with crimson plumes that bobbed with her movements, in the still night air. Dorothea was in cobalt blue, a confection of a dress that combined satin and velvet in its long bodice, looking even taller and leaner in the floating chiffon skirt with a hem falling almost to her ankles. She carried a feathered fan, and was wondering if perhaps they were all wildly overdressed for the occasion. Santa Fe seemed so casual, for the most part. In fact, the Plaza was filled with women in bright cotton print dresses, men in jeans and open-throated shirts, talking, dancing, eating steamed tamales from cornshucks, and laughing at burned fingers from the hot food. Stephen and his women looked oddly out of place, birds of paradise in a flock of starlings and sparrows.

In the years since Stephen had become convinced that investment in art was a businesslike venture, he had been to many, many gallery openings. Paris, London, New York, Chicago. And he’d decided they were all pretty much the same. Pretentious rich people, nervous and/or arrogant artists, the occasional bewildered family member, unsure whether to be proud of an artist in the family, or mortified. The gallery owners, for the most part, shrewd, although they often held that faint tang of jealousy, their own artistic endeavors being not so well received. And the wine was invariably inferior. When he’d given the girls their instructions to mingle, and find out what they could about Los Cinco Pintores, and to make their own judgments on the artworks displayed, he’d cautioned them against having more than two glasses of wine, if it was indeed offered. Prohibition seemed to be more honored in the breach than the observance here, but he felt it was worth a warning in any event. Now, as he moved around the room, he thought the girls were doing him proud. Cool Dorothea in serious conversation with the gallery manager, Patrice fluttering seductively at what he would guess were some of the bigger social names in the crowd, and darling, daring Lou Lou, moving from artist to artist, teasing and tantalizing as only she could. He thought a couple of artists’ wives were beginning to look downright thunderous at Louise’s attentions to their husbands. Still, it was successful. He’d greeted the artists himself. A brief conversation with Bakos, a clap on the shoulder for Ellis, and he eventually found himself perusing some of the artwork closely.

Stephen was pleased to see the amount of variation in Los Cinco Pintores’ styles. As he moved around the gallery space, he admired Bakos’s landscapes, almost cubist in nature, with bold geometric shapes dominating. Ellis painted in a much more realistic mode, vistas of aspen and New Mexico mountains that opened a window into a sunlit world. Schuster was darker, his themes taken from the native Puebloan traditions, with black and white charcoal drawing of unearthly dancers in flickering firelight. Mruk’s work, Stephen cared a little less for, but he could appreciate the precision and skill of its execution nonetheless.

But Nash, Nash was a different story. While his landscapes were arresting, Stephen found Nash’s portraits far more compelling. He told himself it was not only his attraction to Reza that made the several paintings of her interesting to him. One, a conventional portrait of her, posed in a pedestrian cardigan and beret, brought out a serious side of her nature, at odds with the vibrant flamenco dancer he’d seen at La Fonda the night before. But the centerpiece of Nash’s work, and possibly, Stephen thought, of the entire show, was a large reclining nude, almost life-sized. Nash had caught Reza’s angular figure well, and yet shown the incipient feminine curves that might come with maturity. The face was not modestly turned aside, but boldly regarded the viewer, almost daring disapproval. She had a soul like a shining sword, Stephen thought.

In fact, he was wondering where Reza might be hiding. He couldn’t imagine her missing this.

Stephen was talking with Nash, broaching the possibility of sponsoring a show for Los Cinco Pintores at the Chicago Art Institute within the next year or so, which he thought would make a good step in getting them recognized enough to show successfully in New York, when he saw Nash’s face light up, and turned to the door for Reza’s grand entrance.

She was elegant in a straight column of heavily beaded black velvet, the ornamentation of dark bronze arabesques covering the dress from plunging neckline to just above her ankles. A vermeil headband studded with amber glittered on her forehead, and the bronze satin of her t-strap pumps sparkled with inset rhinestones. She had artfully fluffed and piled her dark hair into a stylish mass atop her head, and Stephen thought she’d do in any crowd; there was nothing provincial about her. She struck a pose in the doorway, as though looking for someone in the throng, the long silver and amber cigarette holder she carried gracefully positioned in one hand as she surveyed the room.

Sparing a quick smile for Stephen, she came forward to Nash with her free hand extended. “Darling,” she said, “everything looks wonderful.”

“Therésa,” Nash replied. “I think it’s a great success.”

Reza glanced around the gallery. “Nash, is that Jonas? From the Albuquerque Journal?”

The artist smiled and nodded. “He said he took the train up, just for this.”

“Well.”

Nash took Reza’s hand and tucked it through his arm as she turned to speak to Stephen. “Mr. Kostan, I’m so glad you could make it tonight. And your friend Dorothy, is she here?”

“Dorothea’s over there, talking to Bakos,” he replied, with a slight emphasis on the name. “You’re looking very lovely tonight, Miss Martinez Ibañez.”

“Why, thank you, Mr. Kostan. You’re too kind.”

“Please, call me Stephen.”

“Only if you call me Reza. Considering the informality of our last meeting…”

Stephen laughed, as he was expected to, and made a short bow. “You looked even lovelier, then.”

Reza cocked her head to one side, fetchingly. “I wonder that Dorothea doesn’t stick closer to you.”

“Not just Miss Jones,” Nash broke in. “You missed the excitement, Reza.”

“Oh?”

“Our friend Kostan here brought a whole harem of beauties.” He indicated Patrice and Louise with nods in their separate directions. “It would seem he has many—friends.”

Reza’s smile never slipped, although the expression in her eyes lost a little brightness. “Goodness, Stephen, what a collector you are. Is any woman safe from you?” she said.

“Jealous, kitten?” he murmured, with a twist of his mobile lips.

“Not a bit,” she replied. Her gaze slipped first to Patrice, then Louise, then Dorothea, before coming back to Stephen, noting how all three women, for all their flirtatious attention to others, were keeping a corner of awareness always on their escort. “You really must introduce me to your sisters.”

Stephen laughed aloud at that. “Nice try, princess. They’re not related—by blood.” He paused. “And trust me, they’d love to meet you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What an interesting life you must lead,” she said, then a stir at the doorway drew her attention, and her face grew pale. “Nash,” she said to her companion, “we’d better brace for a storm.”

“Hmm?”

“My father is here.”

Nash threw a glance at the large canvas that dominated the east wall of the gallery. The nude figure was an unmistakeable likeness of the woman standing next to him. He patted Reza’s hand. “Courage, querida,” he said.

Señor Martinez Ibañez didn’t waste any time. He strode directly through the crowd to Reza and Nash, almost colliding with Kostan on his way. “Therésa, what have you done?” he demanded.

She straightened, deliberately bringing the ornate cigarette holder to her carmined lips and inhaling deeply. She didn’t quite exhale directly at her father, but let the smoke drift out to wreath her face before she answered, even as his face grew more livid with anger.

“Papa, I’m so glad you could make it. The artwork is extraordinary,” she said coolly. Only Nash could feel the fine tremor in her hand. And Stephen listened to a racing heart that, for once, had nothing to do with desire.

“Extraordinary? This—this trash?” Señor Martinez Ibañez spat out. “You shame the family.” He leaned forward, and Stephen and Nash both tensed to intervene, but the older man only hissed at his daughter. “It’s the strap for you when we get home, girl, and no mistake.”

“I’m over twenty-one, Papa,” Reza said. “And what’s done is done. You can’t change it by beating me.”

Señor Martinez Ibañez shifted his gaze to Nash. “You—you painted this?” he demanded, gesturing towards the nude.

“I did.”

Stephen noted with some amusement that even under the circumstances, Nash’s pride in his art was evident in his voice. Not, he reflected, that the pride was misplaced.

“How much?”

“What?”

“How much for me to buy that—that—” words failed the old man.

Before Nash could respond, Stephen interjected smoothly, “It’s already sold, Señor. To me.”

“It should be burned,” Señor Martinez Ibañez rasped.

“It should be treasured,” Stephen replied. “And admired.”

The old man’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “You are not from Santa Fe, sir?”

Stephen shook his head. “No, I’m a visitor here. I live in California.

“Then at least the shame will be far from my eyes. I pray you, sir, for my family’s sake, keep her name from public knowledge.”

Stephen inclined his head, gravely. “My word on it, Señor.”

Señor Martinez Ibañez bowed in return. “I will trust you, at least, are a gentleman.” He turned his attention back to Reza. Seizing her wrist, he said, “You will come home. Now.” And he led her forward.

Stephen half expected her to struggle against such an ignominious exit, but she walked out with her head high, an odd gleam in her eye somewhere between tears and excitement.

Nash watched them go, shaking his head. “Damn,” he said to himself. “She’s really got what she wants this time.” He looked at Stephen. “Thanks for stepping in, Kostan. I won’t hold you to that, of course.”

“On the contrary, I have every intention of paying you a good price for that painting—and I’ll take delivery after the Art Institute show.” He paused. “In addition, I have a commission for you.”

“Oh?”

Stephen gestured at his women, scattered around the gallery. “My three graces,” he said. “I’d like a group portrait of them.”

Nash looked at each of them in turn, ranged around the gallery like so many bright butterflies. “They’ll pose nude?”

Stephen smiled. “Nash, they’ll pose any way I want them to,” he said.
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by tucutecats »

:hyper2: love it,love it,you are the absolute best,my dear :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2:
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by darkstarrising »

Of all of Stephen's freshies, I really like Dorthea. She serves Stephen well, not just as a freshie, but by keeping her eyes and ears open to her surroundings. Yet, Thea is first and foremost a woman, and her assessment of her evening's attire is every woman's nightmare of either being under or overdressed for a big occasion, something you convey beautifully:
Stephen and his women looked oddly out of place, birds of paradise in a flock of starlings and sparrows.
While the women's dresses are vibrant with color, Stephen is more subdued, but no less elegant. Somehow, this came across as a contrast between the living and the dead.
His black suit with its knife edge creases in the cuffed trousers and snowy white shirt made a pleasing contrast to the brighter colors of the women’s gowns and matching light wraps.
Reza is not to be outdone, though, and it's clear she's confused and disappointed by Stephen's female entourage.

Each of the five painters has a different style, with varying levels of appeal, but Stephen's eyes are drawn to Nash's portrait of Reza. The exchange between Reza's mortified father and Stephen is telling, but Reza's exit is a bit puzzling.
Stephen half expected her to struggle against such an ignominious exit, but she walked out with her head high, an odd gleam in her eye somewhere between tears and excitement.

Nash watched them go, shaking his head. “Damn,” he said to himself. “She’s really got what she wants this time.”
Another intriguing chapter, Lucky and OBTS, and I'm curious about what it is Reza wants and how she weathers her father's displeasure.
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by francis »

Seems that only her father can fluster this exotic butterfly Reza. I wonder about that relationship.
The three posing nude - wow, I bet Nash would jump on that occasion. :snicker:
Wonderful descriptive chapter, thank you!!! :hearts:
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by NightAir »

Lovely descriptions! I feel as though I'm there.

I wonder how much of Reza's behavior is calculated to irritate her Papa.

Stephen's three graces will pose any way he tells them to, but how will they feel about it? Will he even care? :chin:
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by jen »

How very visual this chapter is and how appropriate for a chapter regarding artists!

They experience their world visually, and pass on what they interprete and recreate visually.

Poor Reza. We can tell this is a battle that has gone on for some time. Both are stubborn and neither are of a mind to be reasonable.

Fabulous chapter!

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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by jenstc2003 »

Sounds like this is going to get more and more interesting for J! Theresa is in BIG trouble and I suspect that he's going to have to help her get out of it. Good of him to take the picture and keep her father from doing something even MORE drastic.
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by allegrita »

Reza and her father are beginning to remind me of another strong-willed daughter and controlling father... :chin: And not too surprisingly, Reza's not pleased to see Stephen's coterie of lovely friends... I wonder if (once she's been dealt with by her father) she'll be motivated to try to distract Stephen's attention away from the Graces...? :brow:

I love your wonderful descriptions of styles, both sartorial and artistic. Man, those outfits sound amaaaazing. I also love the way you show Stephen's three Graces at work. They are indeed useful to him -- definitely more than meals, or even playfellows... but less than equals. However, he definitely values their assistance. These are the early days of the Kostan empire... Josef (um, Stephen) definitely has a staff of extraordinary assistants. I'm liking Thea more and more. She's so observant!

Josef is making himself invaluable to Nash and his friends. That show in Chicago could be the making of their reputations on the national art scene. What's he going to want in return, other than that painting of his Graces? (Which, by the way, I'd LOVE to see...) :hearts:
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by cassysj »

I am fascinated by the dynamics between Reza and her father. Oh yes the three kittens will pose however he wishes.

I am mesmerized.
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by moonlight_vixen »

What a fabulous chapter! I loved the vivid descriptions of everyone's attire.

It seems as though Reza ia going to have an unpleasant evening once she gets home...
Nash looked at each of them in turn, ranged around the gallery like so many bright butterflies. “They’ll pose nude?”

Stephen smiled. “Nash, they’ll pose any way I want them to,” he said.
Of course they will ;) I love it!!
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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by librarian_7 »

Aw, thanks for all the lovely comments. And hmm, it's almost time for the next instalment...

It's great fun, looking for appropriate dresses and other material for this story.

Yes, dsr, I've gotten very fond of Dorothea as well, although Louise is a cutie, and we'll find out a bit more about Patrice later...

As for Reza and her father, she's a wild spirit, and coming from a fairly conservative family background. Rebellion is something she lives for...and it drives her father nuts.

Anyway, thanks for following along, and there should be a new chapter posted tomorrow.

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Re: Camino del Monte Sol, ch. 5 (with OBTS) -- PG-13

Post by RangerCM »

:coffee:
Pretentious rich people, nervous and/or arrogant artists, the occasional bewildered family member, unsure whether to be proud of an artist in the family, or mortified.
Oh, My!! That last part is SO funny!

I'm loving this story so much. :biggrin:
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