Speaker 1
I like using coupons. I have 5 dogs and 3 rats. I like sunset walks. I like to paint. I go to college full time to get my degree.
Speaker 2
I work in a fast food restaurant. I love the smell of roses and fern. I am terrified of watching horror movies. My favorite author is john grisham. I have one sister who is married.
Speaker 1
I have 5 dogs and 3 rats. I like to read and I'm in college. I use coupons at McDonald's. I don't have siblings. I like walking at sunset. I like to paint. I don't usually sell my paintings.
Speaker 2
I like to read. I like to garden and I like roses and ferns. I have a sister. I work at McDonald's. I don't earn that much at McDonald's. I hate horror movies.
Speaker 1
Hi. I just took my 5 dogs on a walk. Now feeding my 3 rats.
Speaker 2
Wow, you sound pretty busy! I just finished a john grisham book.
Speaker 1
Nice. I read a lot of books too. I'm in college getting my degree.
Speaker 2
Me too, and working at mcdonald's.
Speaker 1
I always use coupons when buying food at mcdonald's.
Speaker 2
That's smart. Do you have any siblings?
Speaker 1
No. So I spend my free time painting. How about you?
Speaker 2
I like to garden. Roses and ferns are my favorite.
Speaker 1
Very nice. I like walks at sunset too. Gives me more ideas for painting.
Speaker 2
I'd love to see your paintings! I need an anniversary gift for my sister.
Speaker 1
I usually don't sell but if it's a gift then I'd be willing to sell. How much?
Speaker 2
Well, mcdonald's doesn't pay too well, but maybe $50.
Speaker 1
For you... 30 then. Don't want you to be broke.
Speaker 2
Awe, thanks! So, do you like horror movies? I hate them!
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Speaker 1
I have 5 dogs and 3 rats. I like to read and I'm in college. I use coupons at McDonald's. I don't have siblings. I like walking at sunset. I like to paint. I don't usually sell my paintings.
Speaker 2
I like to read. I like to garden and I like roses and ferns. I have a sister. I work at McDonald's. I don't earn that much at McDonald's. I hate horror movies.
Speaker 1
I've started working on a new painting. 
Speaker 2
Cool! What are you painting?
Speaker 1
Currently I'm working on my figure technique, so this is a nude study.
Speaker 2
Oh, that's interesting. I recently read a biography of the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh. When do you find time to paint between college and your five dogs?
Speaker 1
Haha I feel like finding time to paint is like foraging for scraps. Whenever I have a few minutes of free time, I try to discipline myself to get back to the easel. Sometimes I'll paint right before bed, once I've finished everything for the day.
Speaker 2
I'm the same way with reading and gardening when I get really busy. It can be tough, but they're some of my favorite things and it's important to me that I find time for them
Speaker 1
Have you been reading anything interesting lately? I'm always looking for things to add to my list.
Speaker 2
I've been rereading the Harry Potter series which is excellent. And I've been brushing up on my gardening with some non-fiction too. Would you have any recommendations for me?
Speaker 1
I'd recommend The Agony and the Ecstasy, if you haven't already read it. It's about Michelangelo!
Speaker 2
Oh, thank you! Sounds right up my alley, I love biographies. Are you generally interested in art history?
Speaker 1
Yes, I love to learn about the old masters! Developing technique is my big focus these days in my own painting, and I think that there's no better way to learn than to emulate past greats.
Speaker 2
That totally makes sense. I don't have to spend much time emulating the old masters for my work at McDonalds, though, haha. I really enjoy reading classic literature from time to time for similar reasons
7 days
Speaker 1
I have 5 dogs and 3 rats. I like to read and I'm in college. I use coupons at McDonald's. I don't have siblings. I like walking at sunset. I like to paint. I don't usually sell my paintings. I'm interested in art history.
Speaker 2
I like to read. I love biographies. I like to garden and I like roses and ferns. I have a sister. I work at McDonald's. I don't earn that much at McDonald's. I hate horror movies.
Speaker 1
Gardens are pretty. Do you have a big garden?
Speaker 2
My garden is not as big as such, but then it is a manageable size that I can weed and cultivate with ease. 
Speaker 1
That's good. Are you familiar with Monet's painting 'Le Jardin'?
Speaker 2
Huh, that's new. Enlighten me about that, I'm curious
Speaker 1
Have you heard of Monet before?
Speaker 2
The 45 year old American actress?
Speaker 1
No, the impressionist painter from France.
Speaker 2
No, I have not heard of them before. Did they paint something called 'Le Jardin?'
Speaker 1
You know what, I made a mistake. I was thinking of a painting called Le Pont Japonais, or the Japanese Bridge - but yes, by Monet. Have you heard of Impressionism?
Speaker 2
Looks like today I'm going to learn a lot from you, and I'm glad about that. Enlighten me about that too. 
Speaker 1
Haha, well, in Impressionism the subject matter was usually the outdoors, and they painted in a way more to evoke a mood, rather than completely accurately and objectively depict a scene. It emphasized an artist’s manipulation of colour, tone, and texture as ends in themselves.
Speaker 2
Ahaa, I get the picture of what you're actually talking about, only that I didn't know it goes by that name. I have seen several painting that have evoked feelings of nostalgia in me. I guess that's close to impressionism. 
7 days 7 hours
Speaker 1
I have 5 dogs and 3 rats. I like to read and I'm in college. I use coupons at McDonald's. I don't have siblings. I like walking at sunset. I like to paint. I don't usually sell my paintings. I'm interested in art history. I like gardens. I have a decent memory for Monet's paintings. I am knowledgeable about the art style, Impressionism.
Speaker 2
I like to read. I love biographies. I like to garden and I like roses and ferns. I have a medium-sized garden. I have a sister. I work at McDonald's. I don't earn that much at McDonald's. I hate horror movies. I am an inquisitive person. I am not knowledgeable about art history. I like learning about new things. I do not understand the principles of Impressionism.
Speaker 1
I just finished a still life painting with some roses that I thought you might like to gift to your sister. Would you like to see a picture of it?
Speaker 2
What style is the painting? Realistic? Impressionist? I don't know much about art.
Speaker 1
It's an impressionistic piece, a la Monet. I think your sister would love it. I'd be happy to gift it to her for free. 
Speaker 2
Monet. I *think* I know some stuff he painted. Beautiful landscapes and gardens. And that one with the woman with the umbrella? Again, I really don't know art so much.
Speaker 1
Ah, you're talking about "Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son"! It's a wonderful painting. You can use that painting to picture what my rose still-life would be like.
Speaker 2
Gotcha! Rich colors and brimming with emotion. There is a layer there I can't find in reality but the artist makes us aware of it.
Speaker 1
You described it well! Monet's paintings have a bright and dream-like quality to them. I suppose that's part of the reason why they're so aesthetically pleasing.
Speaker 2
An impressionist painting of roses would capture an "essence" of flowers seen in the mind but not in a photograph. I can't fathom how artists "see" such things.
Speaker 1
I can't quite grasp it either. I'm no Monet myself. I'm only just a serious hobbyist.
Speaker 2
Your pursuit of art will help you appreciate Monet in ways that I can't. Doing art helps you understand it.
Speaker 1
That's a good point. Hey, maybe you should give it a shot yourself! You can paint the roses you planted! How wonderful would that be!?
Speaker 2
I'm worried that I would mortally insult the roses and they would die after seeing my rendition of them! LOL
11 days 7 hours
Speaker 1
I have 5 dogs and 3 rats. I like to read and I'm in college. I use coupons at McDonald's. I don't have siblings. I like walking at sunset. I like to paint. I don't usually sell my paintings. I'm interested in art history. I like gardens. I have a decent memory for Monet's paintings. I am knowledgeable about the art style, Impressionism. I painted a still life picture of roses. My painting is a still life piece similar to Monet. Painting is a hobby for me.
Speaker 2
I like to read. I love biographies. I like to garden and I like roses and ferns. I have a medium-sized garden. I have a sister. I work at McDonald's. I don't earn that much at McDonald's. I hate horror movies. I am an inquisitive person. I am not knowledgeable about art history. I like learning about new things. I do not understand the principles of Impressionism. I don't know much about art.
Speaker 1
I am have been working on a new painting.
Speaker 2
That's great! What is the subject matter of this painting?
Speaker 1
I found two of my dogs cuddled up in a circle with one of my rats snuggled in the middle. It was so cute I had to take a picture. It's not my usual subject matter but I thought I'd branch out a bit. We'll see how it turns out. How have you been?
Speaker 2
I've been good, thanks.  So, do you use acrylic, oil, or watercolor for your paintings?
Speaker 1
I would love to be able to do oil, but it's just too persnickety for me. I tend to do a combination of acrylic or watercolor, depending on what mood I'm in. Watercolor is GREAT for impressionism, but it feels like it takes longer to finish a completed painting.
Speaker 2
I imagine using oil would be very difficult.  So, what does "impressionism" mean in artwork?
Speaker 1
It depends on who you ask, really, but the definition I like best has to do with painting an emotional idea versus a true-to-life subject. Most impressionist paintings are GREAT with emotion and colors, but not always so much with detailed subjects.
Speaker 2
Oh! That sounds like the type of artwork I like!  Never knew that was what the style was called.  Is your current painting of your dogs and rat going to be impressionistic?
Speaker 1
Definitely, mainly because their colors are so similar that it becomes a bit of a blur, even in a high def photograph. Plus, I was more hit by the "awww, that's so cute" emotion, so I want to focus on making the colors give that "impression." 
Speaker 2
It sounds as if the blurring of their colors will work perfectly with the style.  How far along are you with the painting?
Speaker 1
I've only gotten a couple of the watercolor layers down so far.  I both love and hate watercolor because to REALLY get the feeling you want you sometimes have to wait while multiple layers dry. I'd say it'll probably take me another couple of weeks, since I'm also currently in a summer class that I have to do homework for.
Speaker 2
I didn't think about the dry-time.  Once, when I was at the craft store with my sister, I thought I saw some kind of spray that could be used to speed up drying.  Have you ever tried that?
13 days 7 hours