Some of my fellow writers have mentioned being struck by a shiny new idea while listening to music. As much as I enjoy listening to music, thus far, no tune has sent me dashing for a pen. Rather, when it comes to The Arts, it is is paintings that will often make me stop and go, “hmm….”
A few paintings that inspired me while writing my last novel, PORTRAITS OF THE LIVING: A GHOST TALE, were the following:
1. Goya’s Don Manuel
This painting with the child holding a bird captive, and two cats waiting to pounce upon it hangs in The Hoffmans’ dining room.
Titania Sleeping by Richard Dadd hangs in their parlor:
The renowned English artist went mad during his travels through Europe and the Middle East. After claiming possession by the Egyptian god, Osiris, he began exhibiting increasingly violent behavior. Upon Richard’s return home, his father refused to instituionalize him. Not long afterwards, on August 28, 1843, Richard Dadd stabbed his father to death.
Richard Dadd spent the rest of his life in a mental institution.
While my novel has nothing to do with Dadd or fairies, the painting and Dadd’s lifestory made me think of the ill character in my story, and the one who needs to wake up and see the truth…
Do paintings inspire ideas in you?