Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for May 18, 2021

Nil feels like Vincent van Gogh one way or another, doesn’t he?

So the “Unsaid” of this exhibit is “buy me!”

AHA! So Nil admits the purpose of “art” is for someone to buy it! Deductive clarity at last! 8^ )

$1.00 Sale

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I think these are depictions of Nil’s body parts. It’s clearly his eye in panel 2.

He got Bernice to be honest.

Sorry Nil… People wont buy something they know they can draw themselves in 5 minutes.

Nil used his own eye as a model. Now I wonder if Dez will appear and buy some of Nil’s art. She seems to be more interested in masks, but maybe she will like Nil’s art enough to buy it. Maybe she and Nil will hit it off, and Bernice will sneak out the back door and leave the two of them alone.

I would not give much hope to someone buying your art!

This deterioration is conversing.

A very intelligent conversation about how do define Art. Bernice you be shock to learn what some art pieces a person will buy. Bernice you walk up to a art piece and there something about piece that draws in to buy it it’s like something is talking to you.

That eye is not drawn by Nil! It’s drawn by …. You know who!

I think some of you in here are booing at this arc because the storyline is lost in translation. You don’t know what to make of it. But I enjoy it – a pinch of intellectual for a change!

Artist want sell their art work? Nah— that’s not the purpose.

“Maybe the artist hopes someone will buy it.”

.

And there it is.

People need to make money Bernice.

Nil has his act together…unlike his audience…

Maybe the artist, like many musicians (also artists, after all) wishes to make a living without working.

I think that’s his eye in the middle panel. Self portrait.

Worst set up ever

Did Nil miss those classes where Zebo had Tara modeling nude? Empty gallery. Is this where Bernice, suddenly inspired, grabs the peek-a-boo artist, and lays a big kiss on him? Naw. He’s too creepy for that. Time to move on.

This is like a Bergman spare tortured scene combined with strong feelings suppressed by shyness on the part of Nil, and repressed feelings and insecurity in Bernice in an art gallery. which Nil asked her to come on a date, and which she is showing interest. All these romantic arcs lately.

Somebody aced it last week when they said Jack would turn up as a model for art in the exhibition. I’d recognize that finger anywhere!!!

Not a bad conversation, all considered.

Bernice is finally given some agency.

Notice the “painting” of Nil’s eye in Panel 2.

Finger… eye… yep, theory confirmed.

Three panels and in each of these Nil tells a great truth about art. 1 Must make people talk. 2 It doesn’t need to have a purpose and 3 it has to be sold because the Artist needs to live. Nil could become a great artist, he’s skilled, sharp, has clear ideas and knows how to say them. He’s able to make feels Bernice so comfortable that she can speak to him honestly, without making sarcastic comments. This is really a huge development for them. Very interesting and promising.

Buy the art, or buy into his concept? If the latter, it worked.

Come on Bern. You don’t understand the purpose of art? A psychology major that doesn’t understand the purpose of art? And.. It’s rather disingenuous to say that you don’t understand the purpose Nils art. Not to get all pedantic; however, I think “enjoy” is the word you are looking for. You don’t enjoy Nils art. To say that you don’t understand the purpose of his art is just insulting. Or, was that your intention?Again, a psychology student, even a freshmen, should have knowledge about the connection between art and psychology. Oh. Why put art on a wall? Again, come on Bern. Maslow? You don’t understand the connection between Maslow and art/artist?

Ivlax, yes they will. Look at Warhol.

Don’t buy it. Don’t give in. Don’t buy it, Bernice…!

What happens when the unstoppable force of Nil’s art hits the immovable wall of Bernice’s practicality?

More words from Nil, than he spoke in the entire Luann script

Yeah! If you like it buy it please, I only have so much space for storage.

ok the eye in the 2nd panel is clearly his self portrait

Maybe if Nil becomes a real relationship possibility Greg Evans will evolve him into having another eye.

How much for the painting of Nil’s eye?

Maybe this will end soon.

Borenice and the Bohemian? Nah. I can’t see it. Even with one eye.

I think this is a pretty cool discussion, actually. Not the usual for Luann, but interesting in its own right.

I’ll be blunt: she’s way too good for him.

Nil is correct on all counts. Doesn’t mean anyone will buy them, but fingers crossed.

Ha! There is Nil’s other eye, panel 2, on the wall behind them!

I see he drew a self portrait there.very nice.

There was once this guy named Don Van Vliet. He was “pals” with the late, great Frank Zappa.

Don fronted a group called “Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band.”

His “music” was an acquired taste, but what the Hell. I personally thought his music was 500 years ahead of his time. Some “folks” think his Trout Mask Replica” double lp, was brilliant.

Anyway, in the early 1980’s, he gave up making music and concentrating on making “art.” One of his early renderings featured dabs of paint on a window shade. It made big money back in the day. All of his art did.

Don died back in 2010. Now his work costs more than the price of a ultra luxury car, if you can find it and afford it.

So, Nil’s might be on the right track with his “art.”

NOT so much with Bernice. ;)

One thing is for sure. They’ll never see eye to eye.

His sales pitch needs improvement.

Nil sounds just like Prof. Zebo.

Nil is boring. He has a stupid little mouth, a bad hairdo, a big bulging eye and no talent. Please make him go away.

A lot of famous artists couldn’t sell their art while they lived. Often their work became collectible only after they died.

Not all paintings an artist creates will be sold. in most cases, they will never see the light of day.

Yep. That does it. Nil is my new favorite character.

It seems weird that Bernice can’t appreciate art for art’s sake. I always felt that she was a bit deeper than other characters, save for maybe Delta.

Remember “starving artists” sales? Usually sofa-sized renderings of storm-tossed ships at sea.

I’m a nihilist that rejects materialism. You can have that for $1,000.

This interminable discussion about “art” and whether Nil’s “paintings” qualify is boring. So let’s start something new. Hasn’t Bernice become totally absorbed and engaging in today’s strip. She’s actually holding an adult conversation (or trying to) with Nil about his work. Plus she isn’t being snarky or mean-spirited. A very adult accomplishment, considering that she has been treated shabbily in being treated as a shuttlecock in the badminton game of dating.

Take note all ye Bernice detractors! 8^ )

…or, maybe it’s not art! ;o}

Hell, it worked for John Stango…

This interminable discussion about “art” and whether Nil’s “paintings” qualify is boring. So let’s start something new. The fate of Tara has been a minor subject since we last saw the poor waif, homeless, injured, and piteously curled up on the DeGroot’s couch seeking restorative rest.

What will be the fate of our carrot-coifed little dynamo? Whenever she appeared the energy energy level of the strip soared; along with commenter interest. Last we knew she was escaping to Utah to fell her criminal cousin. Will she flee to the Beehive State now that the threat has been removed? Will she stick around to testify at her cousin’s trial?

And the big question is Was this last episode Tara’s swan song?

I don’t think they’ll work in an art collection. Why? Because it’s an art collection.

This guy reminds me of “Donnie” from the “Retail” comic strip by Norm Feuti; by the way any fans of that strip here’s the link: http://retailcomics.com/

Art is about emotion. If I could draw it, I would have. But I didn’t, because I can’t. Not because I may lack the physical ability to draw, or the talent to draw well, but because I am not moved by emotion to express myself as the artist did. I am not inspired to draw like the artist, even if I can copy it. It isn’t about ability, it’s about expression of emotion. That’s how singers who don’t enunciate their words become best selling artists.

So ‘modern’ art has a point?

Artists got to eat too…..

Nil stop talking and make a move on Bern……………….or not!

I see they’ve made it to Nil’s self-portrait section.

You know what would be super funny? If Nil’s hair switched in second panel from laying to the left side to the right, then switched back again in the last panel…

Finally. Truth on both sides. Can we move on now? Bern is finally being truthful, and Nil is just hoping to make a buck. Maybe these two are a match made in Heaven, after all. Both are incredibly shallow, imho.

Second comment: Nil has very self-deprecating, dry humor as shown in panel 3. Subdued hilarity ensues.

OK, what is that first picture a picture of?

Nice, the way he rolls one eye.

I’d like to see their pompous art teacher show up and see what HE thinks!

I like what Tyge said earlier. Bernice is making a nice recovery.

But I especially like how he compared the treatment of Bernice to that of a badminton shuttlecock.

Amen and amen.

9

All the reasons Nil is giving for art… are true. And there are many other reasons.

I am very much enjoying this week’s efforts. For me, it is exceptionally fun and well done. I am greatly enjoying the initially awkward interplay between Bernice and Nil…. and I like that the awkwardness is starting to melt away as well!

Whether or not Bernice and Nil become a couple…. I think at bare minimum…. both will become far closer friends.

Perhaps the one in the first frame is a middle finger… representing digital communication.

Surely the purpose of art is to communicate.

I always kind of thought of Nil as creative and smart. But…. this week’s panels have really confirmed and added to those thoughts about Nil. His character IS highly creative and he is a deep thinker about things. And, to think…. he is doing this well at the probable age of 19 or 20.

Very nice.

On a slightly different topic, I’ve returned recently to my hometown of Pittsburgh, and today, rent.com announced its list of the top 10 cities in the US for artists. Pittsburgh is number 4. This isn’t just because of the affordability of studio apartments and space for working studios, but because of the large number of museums that allow local artist exhibits (we have an Andy Warhol museum here; the Warholas were from Pittsburgh), the number of local arts festivals that encourage locals to participate and the fact that the city supports artists through grants and hiring them to paint murals on buildings. So, Nil, if no one in Pitts buys your art, try PittsBURGH next. Yinz are always welcome…

“Art is anything you can get away with.”

― Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man

A banana duct taped to a wall $10,000.00.

I like it! The “unsaid” is being said and it’s refreshing and honest. So, when does Prof. Zebo show up? Wonder if this is a Jr. College show or private gallery or if it matters. Can any one in the group besides Tiffany offer megabucks for a painting? Or will we see anyone else at this preview. If Tara is still in town, maybe she’d stop by. ;-o

They have more in common than she thinks.

I mean- dude has his own show. Soooo…. there’s something

Most people start out as artists, most of them stop, the few who continue to can rarely be copied.

Is that first one supposed to be a glory hole?

Pretentious art does yield Higher Prices.

Nil’s a pretty nice guy, and might even be Good for Bernie. But it does sorta creep me out that he continually refers to himself in the third person….

Praise is very nice for an artist but there is nothing more sincere than asking the price. :)