The Mystonian TownCrier
The Jackson Jonas
Interview: "I wish I could
remember."
It was this reporter's privilege to recently interview the renowned
painter Jackson Jonas in his home at Dawn's Grove. The day was sunny with a
chill that promised snow soon. The tea we sipped was Sornat blend, now widely
available on the Isle, imported from Arangoth, due in part to the painter's own preference for
it. It seems whatever he touches is
soon turned golden. His work is visible everywhere on Myst, from murals
on the walls of inns to island landscapes for charity auctions to portraits
on the walls of Her Majesty Queen
Janessa's House of Molentia.
Often characterized as aloof, this reporter
found the painter to be a rather charming, if somewhat shy and troubled
man. Known for his ability to often paint unknown future or past events, it
remains twistedly ironic that the man is shrouded still by the lasting effects
of his bizarre experience with crazed admirer Amelia Wilkins.
This
reporter offers a heartfelt thanks to Mr. Jonas for his portrait gift to her and
for granting us all a glimpse into
his private life, so filled with
inner torment. Everyone here at the MTC joins the Isle
in toasting Mr. Jonas a happy birthday.
~Misty
Newick
Ms. Newick: "I know you were expecting Mac Delaine, but he
sends his regrets. I hope my being a woman won't be too much of a bother for you
Mr. Jonas..."
Mr. Jonas: "N-- no, not at all. I don't
mind."
Ms. Newick: "Good. You've been painting all your life...can you
tell me what it is that inspires your work Mr. Jonas?"
Mr. Jonas: <Glancing up to the window the painter
smiles a bit, perhaps lost in thought.> "Well.Inspiration comes from
everywhere, I think. My everyday life. My family, my.friends, and my home.
Beauty. When I see something beautiful.I paint it."
Ms. Newick: "So then,
your work is never of a darker nature? I've heard some of your admirers claim in
fact that your work carries its own light. Do you know what they mean by that
and do you agree?"
Mr. Jonas: <Lifting a mug of tea to his lips, the
painter took a ginger sip.> "Yes, some of my work has been of the darker
nature. I.don't really remember much of that, though, so I can't explain it.
I've heard that some people say that about my paintings.I'm not quite sure what
they mean by it, but if my work helps people in any way.then I've accomplished
something."
Ms. Newick: "That's interesting...I would certainly think
your work would have taken on a different angle since your ordeal back at the
end of the high sun season...have you been able to express your feeling about
that at all?"
Mr. Jonas: "Mm.That part of my life, I don't
remember.and I try not to think about trying to. It's something that happened
that shouldn't have, and I'm working on rebuilding what I can to make my life
whole again. As far as my work goes.on that subject. I suppose it does reflect
it in some aspects. I look at what I painted before, and I see what I paint now.
Some little things are different. Choice of colors, mostly."
Ms. Newick:
"So you don't remember Amelia Wilkins and what she did to you...some people say
that might be for the best. How do you rebuild Mr. Jonas? What guides that
process? I know that you've got clients willing to wait a year for a painting.
Is that enough to help you through? Certainly financially...but what about how
you feel when there isn't a paintbrush in your hand?"
Mr. Jonas: "My family." <Giving a glance toward
the stairs, Mr. Jonas then offered a very genuine smile, boyishly charming.>
"My family guides me."
Ms. Newick: "Your wife...Kylie Ravenlock right?
And...a newborn baby? Your expression changed when you mentioned them. Tell us
about them a bit?"
Mr. Jonas: "Oh...Ky and Em. Yes, Kylie Ravenlock.
She's...well, she and Emma are everything to me. They are what keep me going
these days. I have times when I don't feel like moving a finger, and they just
snap me back into reality."
Ms. Newick: "Emma...wasn't that also the name
of your first wife?"
Mr. Jonas: <Shaking his head, he cleared his
throat.> "I've never been married before Kylie."
Ms. Newick: "Fianc�e,
then....your intended? You grew up in Sornat, Arangoth...dated Emma Dravis until
she was killed...my sources indicated rather brutally...."
Mr. Jonas: <hesitatingly> "Yes, that's
correct."
Ms. Newick: "It's a nice memorial to gift your daughter with
her name. Some superstitious souls might say you're burdening your child with a
legacy. Contrary to that however, your wife was overheard in the DragonMyst
recently claiming to have -spoken- with your deceased fianc�e and feeling the
woman had blessed your child...can you verify that at all?"
Mr. Jonas: <Appearing surprised, he shook his head
slightly.> "No, I'm afraid I can't verify that."
Ms. Newick: "It
wouldn't be the first event your wife would be claiming that raised a brow. When
you were under the tortuous hand of Amelia Wilkins, your wife claims to have
spoken with you through a PSI intermediary. Not unheard of, but not common
either. I wonder Mr. Jonas, is there any claim to the rumours that your wife is
not all that common herself? That she's actually a predator wolf?"
Mr. Jonas: "You'd have to ask her that yourself, I
think."
Ms. Newick: "The two of you met in Drache, Arangoth, through a
mutual friend. Was it love at first sight?"
Mr. Jonas: <Shaking his head slightly, he murmured
quietly.> "I wish I could remember."
Ms. Newick: "Mr. Jonas...you do
not recall meeting your wife? Is there anything you can remember or is it all
gone?"
Mr. Jonas: "No.I can't remember anything. Not a
thing, before waking up in my bed a few months ago. So if that's what you came
after, then you have it." <At this point, Mr. Jonas stood up, looking
flustered. He ran his hand through his hair and glanced to the mantle where a
painting hung of his wife and baby daughter.>
Ms. Newick: "I'm sorry
Mr. Jonas...I had no idea...But I'm sure those who follow your work would be
sympathetic to your sorrow and pain. In some respects, you've given an ultimate
sacrifice to your craft...would you like to tell us how it feels?"
Ms. Newick: "And earlier you mentioned about not thinking about it. About trying to rebuild without it all...does that mean you've not sought the help of mages or clerics or perhaps even high priests?"
Mr. Jonas: "Yes, we have.and none of them have helped
in any way other than comfort with what we must live with." <Mr. Jonas
settled back down to the couch and leaned forward, pressing an elbow into his
knee while his hand to rubbed over his signature blue eyes.>
Ms.
Newick: "So essentially, whatever Amelia Wilkins did to you, whatever may have
caused your memory loss, she took with her to her grave the day she was
executed...do you have any resentment against the guards for not forcing it out
of her?"
Mr. Jonas: "They did what they could. The woman
was.she wouldn't have given anything up. I know that much."
Ms. Newick:
"Well, we've talked a fair amount about the past, something you don't know much
about. How about the future? You plan to stay here, on the Isles? Any future
portrait sittings of anyone notable coming up? Anything for
WinterFest?"
Mr. Jonas: "Yes, I believe I'll be on this Isle 'til the day I die. I've many appointments...and if I knew it would be in my best interest to give away all those secrets, then I would, but since I don't.As for Winterfest, I plan to spend it with my family. I've enough to keep me busy until then."
~the end~
