Cypress Branches Literary Journal - Lamar State College-Orange

Winner
The Gentleman
Brett Heil
The gentleman is portrayed as an abstract figure. His body and surroundings are sketched with
distortion. The artist, Steve Hodges, develops this amiable gentleman on the canvas, but with distortion
and colors of sadness. He appears to be dressed in casual attire, with a suit. A circular object is apparent
on his left pant leg. From the waistline up, he is smeared diagonally to the right. A draft may be blowing
through an open window, or a powerful force may have struck him. The gentleman and table with
contents are sketched with sloppy marks and random colors. The colors pastel purple, yellow, tan, green,
orange, red, and blue are plotted on the man and table. The man has enough color to be considered a
rainbow. An orange X rests on the man’s head, as if he were a target. An assassination attempt may have
commenced on this important gentleman. The wrinkles on his face may signify wisdom and age. The
wordless word bubble could be a conversation he would have had if he weren’t assassinated. The man
speaks, yet no words are articulated.
It would sound like the whooshing of a mid spring’s breeze. Since the gentleman may have been shot,
the sound of the gun going off could be heard. If the man were still alive, or before his death, a
conversation or speech might have been heard. Being a gentleman, polite and complimentary words could
have been spoken. The sound of surrounding people could be heard. They could be listening and
watching while whispering to each other.
The texture of the portrait is sculpted with smoothness and tiny ridges. I can feel the rush of wind or
whatever force is escaping through the gentleman. The uneven table with note and glass feel like normal
everyday objects. I would feel like a two dimensional figure in a poorly detailed portrait. I would feel
like a misplaced cartoon in an abstract painting. I feel the gentleman’s neatly ironed suit of elegant silk.
Touching the gentleman’s withered face would feel like a dried out rag. I touch his cold, bony hands and
feel death’s presence.
The rush of air smells like roses from a garden, freshly picked. I can smell his expensive cologne he
recently doused himself in. His blue hair smells of Head and Shoulders. The gentleman’s breath smells of
minty freshness as he speaks. The aroma of an office, with fresh paper, ink, and workers’ lounge, can be
smelled. I smell recently brewed tea in the glass on the table. I can smell the death of the gentleman’s
rotting corpse. I can smell blood as it seeps through the gentleman’s head.
The taste of the portrait itself may not be so pleasant. Tasting paint doesn’t seem too healthy. Inside
the picture, I can taste the fresh tea. With the fresh brew, it warmly fills my taste bud sensation. Steve
Hodges’ application of random dark colors, abstract work and vague imagery create a mystery, with him
knowing the only answer.
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