What A Dream Wants

"Hello everyone, I am the art teacher, Mrs. Artem." The teacher said, wearing an apron splattered with different paints. "We learn art history and different types of art techniques in this classroom."

Her beret, which was also encrusted with paint, covered her brown hair.

"So, similar to music, art history also shows much about a civilization's culture. 40,000 years ago, humans were already creating instruments, while most major art techniques, such as painting, drawing, and sculpting developed around 17,000 years ago."

"Art and music both create vivid imagery and spark our imagination. They synthesize an experience. Their works and creations are like dreams come to life."

Steven wondered how these works and creations of art were like dreams coming to life. Perhaps he needed to experience it for himself.

'Zzz...'

"Art isn't just pretty or looks good to the eye. A lot of times, art tells a story. Sometimes sad. Sometimes happy. Sometimes in between. Literature can be composed of a thousand words, but pictures leave those thousand words up to you."

"Art also utilizes math in order to be aesthetically pleasing."

"Anyways," She cleared her throat. "Onto the main activity for today. So, I want you guys to just... draw! It doesn't matter if you aren't the greatest drawer, you can always improve. Whether on anatomy, color theory, or perhaps the technical skills between your lines, I'll still give you pointers on the Way Of Art!"

"Alright everyone, so these are the coloring utensils. There's a limited supply, so please share. We have paints, pastels, crayons, color pencils, markers, and thin point pens over there. Over here, we have rulers, compasses, and scissors. You can even use your own utensils. Now, of course, if you draw phenomenally, I guess I will award some of you guys with some contribution points? Is a thousand for those that please me with their art skills enough? Alright, start!"

It was a mad dash to the crayons... And the other coloring utensils.

Steven sighed. He really did want contribution points, but he wasn't the greatest artist. How could he possibly do well?

'Guess I'll just draw a fancy blob...' He thought to himself.

He drew a blob.

He showed it to the teacher.

"Oh Steven, it looks wonderful. Except it only has a monotone shading with no lighting. And the lines are like squiggles. Messy, and uncoordinated. Not to mention how the shading goes out of lines and defies all laws of aesthetics."

Steven told her it was a blob.

"Of course sweetie, but I'm sure you can draw better. Even five-year-olds can draw better, so you definitely can." Mrs. Artem said motivationally.

'Wow, thanks, teacher.'

"Of course, if you focus on something you like, perhaps you'll be able to draw it better."

"I believe that you can draw better than this since even a gorilla rolling around on the floor can draw better than this." She said kindly.

'Wow, thanks, teacher.'

But... what did he like? At this moment, he was at a conundrum, not sure of what to draw.

'If only I would be able to draw good enough to get those contribution points so I would be able to buy food, something I love more than humans in this world...' Steven thought to himself.

Steven pondered for a while.

'Oh, that's it! I'll draw a person!'

Then realized,

'Oh wait, I don't like people.'

Steven went back to thinking.

'Oh, that's it! I'll draw a homo sapiens!'

'Oh wait, I don't like homo s- Wait! I got it, I'll draw food!'

This led Steven on another furious journey of using his brain to get something accomplished.

'Hmm... how about a cake...'

He drew a seven-layered cake.

He showed it to the teacher.

"Oh... this is... this is... AMAZING!" Mrs. Artem squealed in delight. "The colors complement each other, showing a profound knowledge of color theory. The lighting and shading are impeccable, and the lines are exquisitely delicate, that they straight off blend into the cake. The textures are so impossibly realistic, it's like you can almost eat it! I can almost imagine the smell. Not to mention how it's composed of the colors of a rainbow... Sadly, it's still trapped in a glass case, not allowed to be free. Aw sweetie, this artwork tells such a wonderful message of equality, hope, and beauty, and pride in the sweetness of a cake."

'What...'

Hearing his teachers words, his eyes couldn't help but dazzle, and he smiled happily.

' What is she going on about?' Steven thought to himself, puzzled. 'This was a very delicious cake I saw in the bakery.'

"You deserve these thousand contribution points," she said, wiping away her tears. "Oh, how many contribution points would it cost to buy such a beautiful artwork?"