I was thinking this week about my blog. I have covered so many topics as it relates to stories. However, I have never talked about famous works of art and what stories they might tell. Works of art often tell stories. Artists can present a narrative in many ways. For example, they might use a series of images to represent a story or tell a single moment on one canvas. These works often illustrate well-known historical, religious, legendary, or mythic stories. Sometimes however, artists invent their own stories, leaving the viewer to their imagination. On this edition of Ron’s Amazing Stories – The Blog I will take three pieces famous art and tell you what story they tell me. I encourage you to look at these pieces and determine your own story. Feel free to share your thoughts here in the comments section. Let’s get started.
-Ron
American Gothic by Grant Wood
American Gothic is a painting by Grant Wood. Wood’s inspiration came from what is now known as the American Gothic House, and was created in 1930. The figures were modeled by his sister Nan, and their dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby. I have always loved this picture and thought that the story this tells me is one of love for home, country and each other. I have always thought that it represents the feeling and times of the great depression. Hardship is the word of the day and I can see that on their faces.
Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
Nighthawks is a 1942 oil on canvas painting by Edward Hopper. It portrays people in a downtown diner late at night. It is Hopper’s most famous work, and is one of the most recognizable paintings in American art. I have used this one as the background for many computers over the years and it is my personal favorite work of art. I have spent countless hours dreaming about this and thinking about the stories the diners patrons could tell. For me – The lone man has always been a detective keeping an eye on the couple talking with the restaurateur.
Note: Joyce Carol Oates wrote interior monologues for the figures in the painting in her poem, Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, 1942.
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
The Starry Night is an oil on canvas painting by Vincent van Gogh. It was painted in June of 1889 and it depicts the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It is regarded among Van Gogh’s finest works and is one of the most recognized paintings in the history of Western culture. I have seen reproductions of this painting and would one day like to view the real thing. It seems shame to assign one story to this glorious work of art. So, I like to think of it as the beginning to many stories. Just look at the lush blue tones and you can imagine the beginnings of any story at any time in history.
This Week’s Podcast:
On the podcast this week we debut a new segment, have a listener’s tale about growing up in the Philippines and psychological thriller from the classic series Suspense. You can listen to this podcast on Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen to it on your radio Saturday night at 6pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.
The Calendar:
May 04 – The Fairy of Inverness – (RAS284)
May 11 – Suspense – (RAS285)
May 18 – Three listeners tales revisited – (RAS286)
May 25 – The Horror Express #16
June 01 – (RAS287)
Q2 – Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was born in New York City, the only child of actor Douglas Fairbanks and his first wife, Anna Beth Sully. His parents divorced when he was nine years old, and both remarried. He lived with his mother in New York, California, Paris and London.
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