Thanks, Matt. Jillian Hess curates some fascinating stuff about notes. I'd been pondering a story about someone 'entering an art work' (there are some scribbles in a notebooks about a guy who has too many martinis and finds himself in 'Gin Lane"). Who knows, it might emerge ... but this one told itself to me and I thought I'd share. Thanks for the encouragement.
Ah, thank you so much for reading it, Meredith ... I thought the theme of 'loneliness' writ large in his work deserved an exploration in a supporting cast. A great prompt for me to use
Ah, thank you. This was the first of these art-inspired tales, the one that got me thinking about doing more. I loved playing with the character of 'Murph'. He might return.
That’s so kind, Lulu. And welcome. We owned a coffee shop/deli in Wales for 5 years before selling our home and jumping in a van for 3 years. Now living a quiet life in rural France where I get plenty of moments for making up tales. Really looking forward to your ‘Stories from the Coffeehouse’. Have a great weekend.
Thank you Barrie, delighted to find you here and for your support. It’s so important for writers to support each other, I will do my best to support you both. Happy weekend.
That is so very kind, my friend. I’m overdue a bit of art inspired musing! @JoJo Thomson has me thinking about something surreal based on a Dali … pomegranate in conversation with an elephant on stilts who is chatting to a drooping clock, that sort of thing!
Hopper's work a fertile place for inspiration. Great stuff.
Thanks, Matt. Jillian Hess curates some fascinating stuff about notes. I'd been pondering a story about someone 'entering an art work' (there are some scribbles in a notebooks about a guy who has too many martinis and finds himself in 'Gin Lane"). Who knows, it might emerge ... but this one told itself to me and I thought I'd share. Thanks for the encouragement.
Good one Barrie 👍 - can we expect a short story every week now inspired by a Hopper painting? 😉
Unlikely to be so rigorously assiduous ... but the idea of art (or photographs) as a prompt is one I like. Happy to receive prompts so fire away!
Vermeer's - 'The Love Letter' or Friedrich's 'Wanderer above the Sea Fog' ....
Good choices. 'The Love Letter' immediately suggests a twist in the tale. I shall ponder the other. Thanks, Harry. Off to read your latest
I love Hopper's paintings. And this was a lovely response to one of his most famous.
Ah, thank you so much for reading it, Meredith ... I thought the theme of 'loneliness' writ large in his work deserved an exploration in a supporting cast. A great prompt for me to use
Brilliant Barrie, absolutely brilliant!! Another one of your stories that I want to keep reading long after the last word 👌
Ah, thank you. This was the first of these art-inspired tales, the one that got me thinking about doing more. I loved playing with the character of 'Murph'. He might return.
He is such a real character! I could see and hear him instantly!
I’ll ponder another tale!
Looking forward to it 🙏
Love Hopper, love this painting, love this story. Thanks Barrie
I entered the Substack universe four days ago. As a storyteller I’m delighted to find your site.
I will be posting “Stories from the Coffeehouse soon.”
That’s so kind, Lulu. And welcome. We owned a coffee shop/deli in Wales for 5 years before selling our home and jumping in a van for 3 years. Now living a quiet life in rural France where I get plenty of moments for making up tales. Really looking forward to your ‘Stories from the Coffeehouse’. Have a great weekend.
Thank you Barrie, delighted to find you here and for your support. It’s so important for writers to support each other, I will do my best to support you both. Happy weekend.
So enjoyed this … love the characterisation of Murph and the licking of the pencil stub. Great story.
I’m rereading pieces to try and stir my writing back into action. It’s a bit stagnant. Thanks for the encouragement, Andrea.
That is a FABULOUS story, one I will never forget when I see Nighthawks again.
That is so very kind, my friend. I’m overdue a bit of art inspired musing! @JoJo Thomson has me thinking about something surreal based on a Dali … pomegranate in conversation with an elephant on stilts who is chatting to a drooping clock, that sort of thing!