Part 1 | H E R • P A I N T B R U S H

Josephine's hand moved over the canvas and her gaze was focused on the naked person in front of her. It's like Josephine's mind is directing her hand without her acknowledgment. The naked woman is still, like a statue as she laid on the red couch, her body perfectly curved. Her golden wavy hair flowed down her flawless honey toned skin that reached her breast as it covered her brown nipples. Her blue eyes held happiness and peace. She had no makeup on Mrs. Martin was comfortable in her own skin she despised makeup. Her thin pink lips were covered in lip gloss as they were slightly apart.

Josephine's hands moved instinctively to the right spot adding more detail on the painting. Her eyes never left her body.

When Josephine paints she feels closest to the creator it gives her a peace she cannot find any-other way.

she dipped the paintbrush in the paint and slightly moved the brush on the canvas.

Josephine never imagined herself opening up her own studio. When she was young she dreamed of being an artist, at that time no one believed in her, not even her own parents.

She grew up in a very abusive household, her mother Illiana would always come home waisted with different men every weekend and her father Dylan wouldn't be at home most of the time, usually spending time with aunt Kristiana Illiana's sister.

Whenever they were home together, they would always throw things at each other and argue Josephine was always caught in the middle of their fight so they would beat her then lock her up in her room for the rest of the day/night.

Josephine was six when she realized art was her happy place.

Dylan and Illiana would never buy anything nice for Josephine, not even on her birthday.

Her hands moved instinctively to the right spot adding more detail to the painting. Her eyes never left the woman's body.

When Josephine paints she feels closest to our creator it gives her a peace she cannot find any-other way. Dipping the paintbrush in the paint her hand slightly moves the brush across the canvas.

20 minutes later and she is halfway done with the painting.

"We will continue tomorrow." Josephine informed Mrs. Martin. She smiled and stood up from the couch then wrapped her body with a towel.

Mrs. Martin walked over to the large canvas, Josephine stepped back allowing Mrs. Martin to take a sneak peek of her unfinished work.  "My goodness." She gasped. "This is breathtaking Miss Hansen."

Josephine smiled and tucked a few strands of her blonde hair behind her ear. "Thank you." She replied.

Mrs. Martin returned the smile before walking past her and walked over to the changing room. Josephine cocked her head to the side as she admired her work, after a while Josephine realized that it's time to close the workshop.

She noticed her stained shirt then groaned from frustration, unbuttoning the shirt Josephine carelessly tossed it on the couch. She was left with her bra and jeans.

Josephine searched her bag for a new shirt but couldn't find anything.

"You've got to be kidding me." She mumbled under her breath.

While she was searching for a new shirt she heard the front door close and open.

"We closed." She called out, not  bothering to turn around.

"Hi." A woman's voice called over her shoulder. Josephine inhaled then exhaled while she rolled her eyes. She forced a smile and turned around.

"Sorry we're closed." she repeated.

The woman  narrowed her eyebrows and cleared her throat. A judgmental look was written all over her face.

Josephine was lost for a second then realized she didn't have a shirt on. Chuckling to herself she ignored it. "Shit. Sorry I cannot find my shirt." Josephine explained to the woman.

Josephine noticed that the woman wore a black floppy hat and glasses so she couldn't see her face.

She wondered why people in New York wore glasses and hats indoors. She thought it was strange.

Josephine's gaze fell to her body, she's tall and slim. Her small curves and breasts suited her perfectly. She wore a black jumpsuit and matching black heels. The outfit complemented her honey skin and body.

The women noticed that Josephine was staring at her body, she coughed to gain back Josephine attention.

"Is this Hansen art studio?" she questioned with her British accent as she admired the studio. "Yes," Josephine  replied, placing her hands in her back pocket.

She smiled and stretched out her arm. "Hi. I'm Elizabeth Walker."

"Josephine Hansen."

Elizabeth removed her hat and sunglasses and Josephine's judgment still stands. She's a very beautiful woman.

She has baby blue eyes with long eyelashes that kissed her cheek each time she blinked.. Her wide lips were painted a dark shade of red and she didn't have that much makeup on.

Her brown hair looked healthy. It was slicked back and tied in a low bun with bobby pins keeping it in place.

Josephine crossed her arms over her chest as she scanned Elizabeth.

Josephine has seen this woman before but she can't remember where.

"I'm really sorry for coming in this late but this is urgent." Elizabeth explained.

Josephine raised a brow and bit her thumb.

Josephine was easily irritated and she hated when people came into her studio before she closed.

Before she could answer Mrs. Martin walked in all dressed up. She noticed Elizabeth and smiled.

Mrs. Martin walked over to them and placed a hand on Josephine's shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow Miss Hansen." she said softly. She turned to Elizabeth. "Have a good night ma'am," Mrs. Martin said. She gave her a small wave before exiting the studio.

"What's so urgent that you had to come in late?" Josephine seethed out.

Josephine walked over to her cans of paint and started to clean up. Elizabeth followed her from behind.

"My fiancé and I would like to book an appointment." She uttered to Josephine while her back was turned towards her.

Josephine hummed in response as I continued to clean up.

"Portrait, Sculpture, woodworking..." Josephine trailed off just as she covered her cans of paint with a sheet.

"Sculpture, it's for our wedding that's happening in four months." Elizabeth stated.

Josephine rolled her eyes and picked up all her paint brushes that were on the floor. "Congratulations, I guess." She whispered the last part.

"Will this sculpture be of you and your fiancé?" Josephine asked, walking over to the sink to wash her paintbrushes.

"Yes." Elizabeth replied.

Josephine placed her paintbrushes in the sink then turned around to face Elizabeth.

"You'll need to come tomorrow." Josephine stated. She turned away and began to wash the paint brushes "With your fiancé." she added.

Elizabeth was quite surprised that Josephine wasn't that friendly with her customers.

"Okay what time?" She muttered. "During the day."

When Josephine finished washing her brushes she turned around and leaned on the sink with her legs crossed.

"So we're good?" 

Elizabeth looked at Josephine for a while then smiled. "Yes. Thank you." She declared.

The moment Josephine caught Elizabeth's gaze, her lips pulled up into a small smile followed by a curt nod. "Sure."

Elizabeth cleared her throat then strolled her way to the door "Have a good night." She announced before walking out.

Josephine watched her as she entered the car and drove off.

She sighed and continued to clean her studio.

- ❧ -

After what felt like hours Josephine was done cleaning her studio.

She couldn't find a clean shirt while cleaning, so she decided to just wear her dirty one.

It's currently 9 pm and Josephine is in her office answering a few emails. As time passed of her sitting in her office she decided to do some research on Elizabeth. She was curious, wondering where she knew Elizabeth from.

Josephine stares off with a blank expression, biting her thumb nail.

She sighed. Her hands moved to an open laptop in front of her. In a search bar she types 'Elizabeth Walker'

Results include a short bio, headlines and pictures.

"Elizabeth Nora Walker is a British model. In November 2018, she made her debut in the Top 50 Models ranking at Models.com, she was named International Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council. Over the span of four years, Elizabeth has made twelve appearances on international Vogue magazine covers." Josephine read to herself.

Josephine rested her chin on her hand as she clicked images. She clicks on a Vogue cover featuring Elizabeth Walker. Josephine clicks through more photo's

Elizabeth with Gigi Hadid on the runway.

Elizabeth seated next to a muscular male at a white themed event.

Josephine slams the laptop shut and leaned her head back on the chair with her eyes shut.

If she sculpts for Elizabeth it would be an advantage to her career.