The Versatile Master Artist

Gu Weijing regretted his slip of the tongue.

He had mentioned this sentence while recording Mr. Tree Sloth’s podcast, and now he was saying it again as himself.

There was somewhat of a risk of association.

But...

Today is Tuesday, the salon program, it should be online by now, right?

”Huh? I was actually planning to recommend it to you.”

Koizumi Katsuko’s eyes lit up: ”So, you’ve already listened to Mr. Tree Sloth’s latest podcast episode.”

”What a coincidence, in the newly released audio program, Detective Cat mentioned several papers we’ve read together... Don’t you think we really have a good rapport with this sketch master?”

Koizumi Katsuko exclaimed.

”Miss Shengzi, are you a listener of Mr. Tree Sloth?” Gu Weijing scrutinized Koizumi Katsuko, ensuring there was no other meaning in her words.

”Uh-huh, I started following from his third episode last year. This is the highest quality English art podcast in my mind in recent years. Even my father finds Mr. Tree Sloth’s program interesting.”

Koizumi Katsuko nodded.

She looked at Gu Weijing, her face smiling.

The art podcast circle is inherently niche and professional.

Liking a certain podcast is like liking a certain indie band.

Discovering that Gu Weijing coincidentally shared the same hobby as her made Koizumi Katsuko quite happy.

”I listened to this episode of the art salon program on the way to school this morning. I have to say, Detective Cat is truly a stunning art master, especially the concluding summary on impressionism, it warmed my heart.”

Koizumi Katsuko said softly.

”Do you really like Detective Cat?”

Gu Weijing looked at Miss Sakai’s radiant face.

He didn’t expect that this girl, whom Japanese media described as a once-in-a-century painting prodigy, was actually a ”fan” of ”himself.”

”Yes, not only do I like her, but I also respect her. I really hope to have the chance to meet this female illustrator.”

Koizumi Katsuko did not hide her respect for Detective Cat.

Her clove-colored eyes shone with a strange gleam: ”An internet artist born in the art desert of the Third World, yet has such profound understanding of serious art. I guess her artistic career must be very admirable.”

The girl knows the world is not fair.

Receiving the best art education has always been easily accessible for Koizumi Katsuko.

But in some places in Africa,

it might be impossible to find a professional studio within hundreds of kilometers.

An underpaid female online illustrator, making a living by selling cheap illustrations for ten dollars apiece online, through her daily learning and hard work, not only developed master-level sketch skills but also offered such moving insights on impressionist art.

In Koizumi Katsuko’s imagination, the bitter stories within could definitely make for an inspirational film like ”The Road to Harvard.”

”Lady Detective Cat is more admirable than any of us ordinary art students. This is truly the soul that really loves art.” She praised.

Koizumi Katsuko noticed Gu Weijing’s face was a bit strange.

”Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything else...”

She suddenly realized, the boy beside her was from Myanmar, mentioning words like ”Third World art desert” in front of him seemed a bit arrogant, possibly pricking his self-esteem.

Koizumi Katsuko explained apologetically.

”You are already great. After all, we are still young, there’s no need to regret not being able to compare to Detective Cat, in another thirty years, I believe your achievements will certainly not be lower than this master.”

Koizumi Katsuko opened a desktop podcast software on her notebook.

”Look, before you came to the study room, I was preparing to savor this podcast episode again and write a review to update on my social account, do you want to listen together?”

Koizumi Katsuko plugged earphones into the computer, put on one herself, and handed the other to Gu Weijing.

Listening to his voice after being processed by a voice changer sound card softly coming from the earphones was quite a novel experience for Gu Weijing.

Koizumi Katsuko opened the audience comments below the podcast.

”Packed with information!!! Timeline command center: 1. Detective Cat’s analysis of ”White Lake Baikal” painting skills. (Time: 1 minute 32 seconds) 2. Curator Tangkis raised questions on painting flaws, Lady Detective Cat judged the picture took its scene from a photo. (8 minutes 19 seconds) 3. Detective Cat discusses... 19. Detective Cat talks about aesthetic summary of impressionism: (46 minutes 31 seconds). Summary: This program is exciting throughout, recommended to listen from the start to the finish, don’t miss a second.”

Fans have already made a timeline in the comments section.

”We only record sunlight and air... This sentence is just too amazing, I’m almost moved to tears.” Someone commented.

”So awesome so awesome so awesome. As a student in the Oil Painting Department of a fine arts university in London, I declare, Lady Detective Cat utterly outshines Curator Tangkis. Her understanding of painting is both profound and clear. I suggest Mr. Tree Sloth invite Detective Cat to visit often, even if it turns into a payable program, I’m willing to listen.” A netizen named John gasly replied.

”You can’t really say that, Detective Cat’s profession is painting, while Mr. Tree Sloth and Curator Tangkis are art critics and curators. It is normal for Lady Detective Cat to have a deeper understanding of painting details.”