The Mad American Painter

To celebrate American Painters Day 300-word flash

The Mad American Painter

“Don’t go out there!”
Dolly Jean jumped at this announcement from her radio.

“Several countries have reported painters going wild in the streets. They are jumping out of bushes and from behind corners to confront people. Waving their palettes and brushes, they demand to know your country of origin. Don’t admit to being American!
“Those that have proudly done so, have been jumped and painted.”

Dolly Jean laughed. “If someone wants to paint my picture, they can go for it, in fact, I think I’d like being an artist’s muse.”
Dolly grabbed her purse and sashayed out her door, hoping she would have her portrait painted. She made her way downtown slowly. Just as she was standing in front of a dress shop admiring what was in the window, she noticed a flash dart up behind her.

She felt paint being applied to her back, bottom and legs in broad strokes and splashes. Exploding, Dolly turned to confront this insult to her person. There was no one there.
“So much for hoping to have my portrait painted! I do wish the news reporter had been more specific. If I’d known I was going to be the canvas, I would have worn older clothes. Then, she had a brilliant idea.

She headed back home. In her bathroom, she carefully removed her paint-stained clothes. After making sure they were thoroughly dry, she tacked them to a bare wall in her living room.
After that, whenever a new person came to her home, Dolly proudly showed the art piece that she said was called “A Mad Painter of Americans.” Everyone who saw it, raved about it and several tried to buy it. But to Dolly, it would never be for sale. “Like me, it’s an original,” she always said.