Magic Shop

Dear Painter,

there were two winters when we came to Trogir around New Years Eve and I have seen Your sign many times passing by. Your shop (at that time I thought it was only a paint shop) was always closed.

I became more and more sure that in Your shop I could buy magic oil paint if it was open. And painting with this Magic Paint I would finally become a Real Painter, if you know what I mean.

I have been thinking quite a lot about your closed shop, I dreamt about it, and I even painted it. The title of my painting is 'Closed' as I thought the way of becoming a Real Painter is closed for me because I can never buy Magic Paint in Your always closed shop.

Two weeks ago walking around the streets of Trogir I saw from the beginning of Your street that this time it would be different. Your shop seemed to be open at last, and I thought that the time has finally come: I would go in and buy the Magic Paint.

I went in and I saw that it was not a paint shop at all. I cannot tell You how sad and disappointed I was then as I thought I have lost for ever the one and only chance to become a Real Painter using the Magic Paint bought in Your Magic Shop. Because there is no Magic Shop at all. I thought it was only one of the many souvenir shops of the city where tourists can buy fake Trogir paintings for a lot of money.

Then You started to talk to me and I looked around and I saw Your paintings. They were beautiful!

You were so kind to us, You told lovely stories about Your life, You told me You would do a special frame for the painting I loved the most. I wanted that painting badly...

When I said goodbye I told You that we definitely will see each other again and I was meaning it.

I realised only later that there is no way we could afford to buy that painting of Yours. Not even the smallest one.

I went near to Your atelier at least a hundred times during our two weeks in Trogir, but I have never dared to pass by because I was so ashamed. I decided to write You as soon as I got home and I am doing it right now as you can see.

You know, I think we really will see each other again. Maybe in Prague (another of my favourite cities of the world) where You live in wintertime.

Until that I wish You the best. I will never forget when we first met.

Kóka