I’m not keeping up with Friday Fictioneers lately; way too much on my plate. But what a fun photo this week, from Jean L. Hays! Check out Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog for more details, then join this highly addictive weekly challenge.
© Jean L Hays
Color It a Man’s World
“Darling, come back to the house; take a break!”
“I can’t leave the studio yet; these canvases are nearly done.”
Jemima ran her brush along the horizon, adding bursts of cobalt and cerulean, above a golden field. She stepped back, studying the third landscape– the final in a series her benefactor commissioned.
Her husband John frowned.
“Love, finish tomorrow. You’re running yourself into the ground with this project.”
Mounting bills and pressure from critics ran through her mind as she grabbed a brush.
“Just a little longer, these will buy me respect and entrance to the salon.”
(100 Words)
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
The Cadillac Ranch! I used to live in Amarillo, Texas just a few miles from this “monument”. I have seen it no less than 5 gazillion times. The guy who owns/owned (I think he has since died) it was “eccentric” to say the least. His name was Stanley Marsh III. At one point the guy made some really BIG balls of hay in to balls and painted them up as billiard balls. He set up a huge “pool table” in one of his pastures! The cue sticks were Jeeps! The guy was, needless to say, VERY rich. And stoned a lot.
Thanks for reminding me of Home.
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VERY cool, Toby! I had no idea. Sometimes I get the photo prompt and know what I’m seeing, and other times (like this one), it’s a crap shoot. What a colorful character! Thanks for sharing the back story. 🙂
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Clever stuff: reminded me of Amadeus (film).
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Thanks Mick. I had something in the 1800s’ish imagined… but I love Amadeus, and can see that too!
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Dear Dawn,
A clearly painted portrait of the driven artist. Love the use of color in this. Although I agree with her husband, it’s easy to mess something up when you’re too tired. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure you know something about creativity and exhaustion, my friend. I had fun with this one; thanks for your kinds feedback. Shabbat Shalom! xoxo
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Dawn,
It’s been awhile since I’ve been around! Life is keeping me busy. Hope you are well. I liked this piece. I understand her drive to keep working, keep creating. Hopefully she reaches her goal one day.
Cheers,
Tiffany
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I totally understand, Tiffany; I’ve missed several weeks of FF, after only missing 2 in 2 years! Eek. WE do our best, right? Thanks for stopping by!
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Wow! Only 2 and 2 years (until now). That’s impressive. Exactly. We can only try and give our best! You’re welcome! 🙂
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Ah respect – that thing all creators crave… A great piece, insight into the driven mind… Wait.
I *literally* just got it as I typed this comment – ‘driven into the ground’… Clever.
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Glad you got it… regardless of the timing! 😉 Yes, I saw the photo and that phrase popped into my head, and the piece grew from there. I wanted to tie that phrase to the colorful cars. Thanks for stopping by!
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Great interpretation of the prompt, Dawn. So hard to stop when an artist is so close…
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Indeed, and I’m sure you know that first hand! Thanks for the kind feedback, Cathy!
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Driven! No good will come of it. Well done Dawn.
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Thanks, Sandra. Hard to say… there are creative people who can only relate to that driven state of mind and being. I agree, it’s a wheel I’d like to avoid, but it’s so easy to get stuck! Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
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Oh, I so know this place–but I have to disagree with the general consensus here. Often, by moonlighting until the wee hours of the morning, I have produced some of my best stuff. Of course, the circumstances have to be right. I have to be inspired. There must have been a period of incubation for the art itself, what a friend of mine likes to call “stare time.” But then sometimes the writing or the flag or the garments I am designing suddenly take off and time stops and hours later . . . Wow! It’s like a spiritual experience. 🙂
Great story, Dawn. I love the way you write things that bring up strong personal memories.
All my best,
MG
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I agree with you MG… I happen to be a night owl, which is unfortunate in that I am often woken early, by my early bird partner! But, I get thinking late at night and often do my most productive work. Love the way you put it here, MG! Thanks for the lovely comment; it’s, as always, much appreciated!
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I saw this iconic photo and I immediately thought, Dawn is going to do what she does in a colorful, fun and imaginable way. Oh boy! I couldn’t wait to read your piece. And you never disappoint! You even thought to use ‘running yourself into the ground’ instead of ‘driving,’ which was implied but would have been corny. – Mike
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Thanks so much, Mike! I thought of Drive… but yes, it seemed a bit corny, and out of place for this piece and the time period I had in mind. I’m sure others will use that creatively, but I’m glad mine works. 🙂 Thanks for all of your kind feedback; it’s always appreciated!
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I can so relate to this with reworking my manuscript. Driven to the point of ruination. Sometimes a person just needs to call it quits. Well done, Dawn.
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Sometimes… sometimes they need to push on. Creativity and inspiration don’t always have a clock. 😉 Thanks, Alicia.
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Oh, how I can connect with this concept! Lends itself to expansion. Maybe a short story?
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Run with it sister! I can barely get my flash fiction written, but agree that there could be a fun story in there. 🙂
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This photo reminds me of an art installation. Great story, Dawn. I like where you took this. It reminds me that artists, especially painters, can’t undo anything. I hope she doesn’t screw up and take it too far. Love the use of color, too!
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Thanks Amy. I think we can do too much, if we don’t know when to step back… but it’s also hard to step away from inspiration.
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Portrait of the artist as a young (or not so young) woman. Very well done, kicker at the end works!
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Thanks, Perry; I really appreciate your kind feedback.
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It’s nerve-wracking to be on a deadline like that. I hope she gains what she needs. Her husband is justified in worrying about her health. Another good story, Dawn. 🙂 — Suzanne
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No doubt, pressure can help or hurt in so many circumstances! Thanks for your comment, Suzanne; it’s always appreciated.
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I been on both sides of this equation–so close you wanted to finish, and so tired you were apt to screw things up if you continued. Creating art to please critics is like swimming with sharks. Beautifully crafted piece, Dawn.
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Thanks so much Russell; swimming with sharks seems like the perfect analogy!
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I can feel I recognize myself in both sides.. once you are locked into something it’s so hard to end.. a reason or no reason doesn’t matter.
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Exactly! I struggle with the same thing, Björn. I believe in grabbing life by the… and enjoying as much as you can. Sometimes, that leads to over-extended-me! ;_0
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With your introduction this story feels a little closer to real life than fiction maybe?
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No doubt… but given my tendency for Non-fic lately, this one is fiction! I have been known to stay up too late though… I tend to be a night owl, who gets caught up in the creative flow. There the similarities end. 😉
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Lovely portrait you’ve drawn Dawn. Love the oblique reference to the photo (running into the ground). I hope if she risks her husband’s wrath that the outcome is entry into the salon. Not an easy ambition to reach.
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