Earlier chapters

by Mike Schwarcz, text and art

"What's the plan for the 4th?" Cece asked Aisha.
"SpACE is hosting a long weekend party in East Hampton. The perfect time and place to introduce you both to the people who matter. Being the height of the charity season, it's ideal" Aisha said.
"Party in the Hamptons?" Cece's ears perked up.
"I'll send your itinerary and details as soon as I have them, promise," Aisha said as she rang off.
Changing the subject, Miguel said, "You have the keys, right Cece? Marcus' truck is stuffed, we're ready to move."
"Here, I can see you can't wait." Cece tossed him the keys.
Cece was right. Miguel had a renewed focus and direction in which to channel his energies. His spirits soared. All I gotta do is paint was his new mantra.

The temporary studio building was situated on a lot about twice the size of the building itself. The rear offered a spacious parking area and a roll-up door large enough to drive through, leading directly into the building.
"For now, let's stack all this stuff right in the middle of the floor here. I have to bring the table and the easels. Get some more light in here, then decide how to set it all up," Miguel said.
"This ought to take five minutes," Marcus laughed, looking at the 15 boxes in his truck.
"Next load, we can bring a ladder and the easels."
"Why the ladder?".
"I want to be able to reach the tops of those windows at the front of the building. We're going to scrape off most of the paint on the glass to let more light in".
"Gonna need scrapers and some tools also then," Miguel said.
"Right, I'm already done unloading," Marcus said as he started his truck, and Miguel went to open the roll-up door for him.
Pulling the chain hand over fist to open the door took forever. "You need to get an electric opener," Marcus said.
"This is what I hired you for," Miguel joked.
Three trips later, everything was relocated. On the way home they stopped at the home improvement store to order an electric door opener installed.
Saturday, they removed the paint from the windows. The additional light changed the whole mood. But Miguel felt it was too bright, so he sprayed the glass lightly with a matte lacquer, diffusing the light perfectly. The studio now had a soft, diffused glow, no harsh shadows or glare. He decided to call Cece and get her help in getting the rest of the place shipshape.

"Arte de Santa Fe," Cece answered.
"Hi, Cece, it's Miguel. I'm calling to remind you that we only have a few weeks until New York. Are you nervous yet?"
"A little nervous, but I'm working to wrap things up here at the gallery, which means settling with various people, the frame shop, utilities, and such. I'm also trying to train Sean to run the studio and handle phone calls while we're away. How are things going over there?"
"I've finally got the lighting the way I want it, but we still have so much vacant space. We need furniture, seating, work tables, and partitions, possibly. Some rugs to help kill the echo are a priority.
"I had hoped to have it ready for occupancy before we leave for New York, maybe that's unrealistic," said Miguel.
"Let me come over this afternoon, we can talk further before I call Aisha to see what she recommends we do".

Cece arrived at the studio at four. Miguel walked her around showing what he had accomplished so far. Marcus was washing windows, and as they passed the news came on Marcus' radio.
"In the financial news today, Sotheby's announced auction sales for the first half of the year down 24%." Miguel and Cece looked at each other, but said nothing. Then Marcus accidentally knocked a ladder over.
"A little noisy in here," Cece said.
"Yeah, music sounds weird, too much echo."
"We could divide the space in half. It would still be plenty big." Cece said.
"Everything's temporary anyway, and we don't need all this. At least I don't," said Miguel.
"I agree, let me call Aisha and see what she thinks," said Cece as she dialed.
"Hi Aisha, I'm at the new space with Miguel, and we have some issues we were hoping you could advise us on," said Cece when Aisha came on the line.
Cece proceeded to tell Aisha what they had discussed. She started nodding and saying ' okay' several times, then hung up.
"That was quick," Miguel said.
"Yeah, quick and easy. We call La Prieta Management, and they send a guy over; we tell him what we want, and it'll be ready for us when we return from New York. She also said they are emailing the itinerary for the New York trip in about an hour, so look for it when you get home," said Cece.
"Okay, thanks," Miguel said.
"By the way, there's also a rumor we may be invited to a five-day house party in East Hampton after New York. Sara ought to love that."

Arriving home, Miguel poured two glasses of wine and related the progress being made at the studio to Sara. He checked email. He found Aisha's itinerary, stared at it for a few seconds before calling Sara over to read it.
"Am I reading that right?" he asked.
"We're taking a private jet to New York? Wow! That's unbelievable!" Sara said with a hint of excitement that gave Miguel a glimmer of hope.
"Another bucket list item to check off. Thank you, Aisha," said Miguel.
"I won't be able to sleep knowing this," Sara said before pecking Miguel quickly on the cheek.
"We leave Monday, July first. The Good Morning America taping is set for the second, with a call time of eight a.m.," said Miguel.
"I'm calling Cece," said Sara.
"Good, I want to talk to her also. I have an idea about the Good Morning America segment," said Miguel.

When Sara and Cece got through talking, Miguel took the phone. "Cece, I have an idea for the Good Morning America segment. It's not what you would call outrageous, but it could be entertaining."
"Go on," said Cece.
"They announced me as the artist who had that show opening that went viral. We provide them with a clip or several clips of the pictures burning, the crowd, and Jake Hanson's double chin to show. This will set the stage with a good laugh. I come out, and they ask me questions, or we can chat, whatever they decide. Finally, to end the bit, I unveil a piece of art paper with burnt edges, mentioning it is from the same stock that the burned pictures in the videos came from, and offer to draw a quick charcoal portrait of the host that will take about one to two minutes as my gift to her. What do you think?" asked Miguel.
"It sounds like a winner to me. Let me run it by Aisha. If she likes it, she can suggest it to the segment producer. I don't know how much pull she has with them, but it's worth a shot. Makes their jobs easier, that's for sure," said Cece.

"We also want to get that guy from the management company out here. That's urgent," said Miguel.
"He's available to meet this weekend. As soon as I hear back, I'll set something up and let you know," said Cece.
"Sounds great. This is the last week for your gallery, isn't it?
"Yes, the last day is tomorrow."
"Okay, so let me know when I need to meet you and the management guy. Otherwise, I'm getting ready for New York City!" Miguel said, mimicking an old salsa ad from TV.
"Done, I'll also text you what Aisha thinks about the Good Morning America segment. See ya!" said Cece.
Miguel didn't hear from Cece again until Monday morning.

Sara had spent the weekend going over every aspect of the New York trip a thousand times. While Miguel was glad that Sara was showing some enthusiasm, he craved breathing room and wanted out of the house. When the phone rang, he grabbed it.
"Hello, Miguel here," he said.
"Hi, it's Cece. The management guy wants to meet us today around noon at the space," she said.
"I'll be there," Miguel said.
He hung up and yelled, "Gotta go." he pulled on his shorts and shirt and headed out the door. It was eight a.m.
"Okay," yelled Sara, as the front door closed.

After stopping for a breakfast burrito, Miguel arrived at the temporary studio at 10:30. Cece was poking around, waiting for the guy from the management company to arrive. La Peralta, was it?
"Morning," said Miguel.
"What do you think of us flying private to New York? Sara can't shut up about it," Miguel asked.
"Never, in a million years, did I think I would be flying private, did you?"
"No. But I'm relieved. Now I know for sure this isn't a scam," said Miguel.
"How so?" Cece asked.
"They'd never be able to scam me, or the three of us, for that matter, out of anything near what that flight is going to cost them," laughed Miguel.
"Yeah, good point." Cece laughed too.

Cece's phone rang; it was Aisha.
"I got your message about Miguel's suggestions for the Good Morning America segment, and everybody, including the Good Morning America people, liked it, so that's the plan at this point," said Aisha.
"Okay, great. We are at the studio, waiting for the guy from La Peralta to get here," said Cece.
"I assume you both got your itineraries?" Aisha asked.
"We did, we were surprised, to say the least. Thank you".
"Enjoy it, but don't get too used to it. We try to save it for special occasions."
"It's certainly a special occasion in my life," said Cece.
"Okay, we have very little time, so let's stay focused. I'll talk to you soon," said Aisha.
"Okay, bye," said Cece.

"Aisha and the Good Morning America producer like your ideas for the segment, so that's what they're going with," Cece said to Miguel.
"That's a load off my mind," Miguel replied.
"I agree. Now we need to get this project underway. I wonder where this guy is?" Cece wondered.
Someone pounded on the roll-up door.
Miguel clicked the opener for their guest.
"Hi, I'm Roger, from La Peralta Management," said a fellow in khakis and a work shirt as he walked in. They all shook hands.
Miguel spoke first. "I want my studio space to be here in the corner under the front windows, nearest the roll-up door. Additionally, I need three work tables, eight or nine feet long and four feet wide. Adjustable height and on wheels. Okay with you, Cece?"
"Sure, I can work with that," said Cece.
"Great, I'll leave it up to you to decide where and how to handle the rest. But I want to be able to drive into the studio when it's cold," said Miguel. "I also need heat and AC, or there will be problems with the paint drying. He handed the remote for the roll-up door to Roger.

"Miguel, I'll take it from here," said Cece as she steered Miguel towards the door.
She turned and began telling Roger about how she envisioned her office layout as they walked him towards the other end of the building.
The studio was out of his hands. He needed some space and time to prepare for what was coming next. Flying private to New York, an appearance on national television, and then, a five-day party in the Hamptons. If he added in the cash infusion to his bank account, the golden handcuffs of fame and fortune felt pretty good. Yeah, so far, so good.

Questionnaire on the story

To be continued

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Mike Schwarcz was born in Stockholm and immigrated to the United States in 1956.

His mother was an artist, who exposed him to the world of the arts and artists growing up in Southern California. A regular part of his youth were visits to her artist friends' studios.

He sold his first painting in 1968 – for $10. By 1982 he had married and opened a poster and frame shop in Venice Beach, CA. It was during this period that he published his first posters under the Speedway Graphics banner.

In 2021 he immigrated again, this time to San Miguel de Allende where he now paints and writes.

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