Being an amateur artist meant navigating a kaleidoscope of paints - acrylic, oil, watercolor...the sheer variety was dizzying! Not to mention factoring in things like lightfastness and cost. Sometimes it felt like the fun was being squished right out of creating.

The artist slumped over another not-quite-right painting while a cheery Bob Ross video played. With a despondent dab, their brush met the canvas, leaving a vibrant blue-green streak amidst the muddy hues.

Suddenly, a droplet went rogue, splattering onto the floor with a defiant plip! The artist blinked, but before they could grab a rag, the puddle seemed to...shimmy and shake? What the hell?

In a vibrant burst, the spill transformed into a smiling, vividly-colored humanoid figure! The cheerful little guy blinked his luminescent yellow eyes and let out a tinkling giggle, taking a wobbly step forward and leaving a trail of wet footprints.

"Oopsie woopsie!" The paint creature hiccupped another bubbly laugh as he stumbled right into the wall. Rather than go splat, his body left a vibrant imprint that oozed down the surface in psychedelic drips and whorls.

"Weeee, look at me!" The being seemed utterly delighted by his antics, swaying dizzily before shaking himself off with a harmless splatter. "Oh wow, a real live person! This is gonna be soooo much fun!"

Bounding over with the unsteady gait of a newborn deer, he beamed up at the bewildered artist, sparkling like fond memories beneath the stars.

"What's your name, Friendly Friend? I'm Vireo, but you can call me a nickname if you want." He threw his head back in another bright peal of laughter, seeming to vibrate with infectious, unabashed glee.

"We're gonna be the BEST-est buddies!"