Murphy’s Law: Things go wrong in threes so I need a Payday Loan

Why do things go wrong in threes?

Murphy’s Law has struck three times in the same place and it’s going to take a payday loan to get me back on the tracks.

I finish the painting

I finished the painting I’ve been working on these past 10 months – the one with the girl in the red shawl and the big straw hat walking along the beach. I emailed a picture of it to my agent.  He says as far as he’s concerned he can get me $40,000 for it easily. Believe me; I can use that kind of money. I put the painting on an easel in my studio so that visitors could see it in good light. Over the weekend the children dropped in to have a look and they brought the grandchildren with them. I received lots of congratulations and kisses from everyone.

Murphy’s Law – Strike 1

No one knows what Tommy, age 6, had in mind, but he picked up a bottle of acid that I keep for etching, opened the cork, tripped and sent the stuff flying over everything. Of course the painting is irreparable. I had a few dark thoughts about young Tom then remembered, I am a kindly old grandfather.

I get going again

I bought a new canvas and started the search for a new subject. I spend hours examining pictures, enlarging them, checking angles and perspectives, shadows and heights. I finally choose one and get ready to print a working copy on my faithful old printer.

Murphy’s Law – Strike 2

I press the ‘print’ button and get a loud ‘bang’ and lots of white smoke. I run out to buy a new printer. “That model is no longer in stock, sir!” I ask what I should do with all the little containers of ink and for a moment I thought the salesman was going to tell me just what to do with them. At this moment I apply for a payday loan and buy a laser color printer.

I start again

I’m back in action. The new printer is great but I had to call in a technician to set it all up. I have primed the canvas and am ready to go. The picture is of a woman on a balcony with very bright colors and flower pots and masses of flowers everywhere. One has to be careful with one’s choice of subject, after all you are going to work on it for anywhere between six months to a year.

Slow progress

The work goes very slowly. Perhaps I’m not a hundred percent happy with the subject and am still thinking about the girl on the beach. But I press on and work diligently at every possible minute. The picture is taking shape. My agent came over for coffee last night, took one look and was most enthusiastic. “Work faster!” he roared. “I need the commission already!”

Murphy’s Law – Strike 3

Six months has passed and I’m excited. The picture is just great. It must have been an electrical fault or did I forget to switch off the heater? Fire! Thank goodness the acrid smell of smoke woke us in time.

Help!

Where do I find that form to fill in for another payday loan – I can’t even afford to buy a canvas!