I'm glad the time jumps are working for you. It's been fun to play with gradually revealing more and more about these characters with details that are out of sequence. Thanks for reading and commenting, as always, Holly.
This was such a powerful and insightful chapter Ben, I feel certain only a true artist could have written it so well, a testament to your artistic soul.
I loved the time leap, unexpected definitely but it reveals more of the psyche of both Kelly and Lefty, which is becoming more and more an intrinsic part of the story. Each have their strengths and beliefs which, evidently will eventually compliment each other.
This line “Tired. Sad. Proud, a little too, I guess. But mostly tired.” from Kelly when asked how she feels about the value of her paintings speaks multitudes!
Ooof! I just binged the last three episodes and had to take a minute to myself as I feel like I’ve been in an emotional tumble-dryer that’s also a time-machine, and it’s pretty psychedelic! That MOMA opening was inspired. The biggest grin spread across my face. Her work is so clear, but also see-through, in mind. The whole thing really is so psychedelic... Ona, the girl lost in Kelly’s painting while Kelly feels her. Drawing the guy to leave! As you know, I’m a big fan of having one foot in another world, but I appreciate that it’s not sugar-coated, how you acknowledge that being lightly tethered to reality can be marvellously creative and simultaneously leave someone really vulnerable.
It’s funny, I feel about Kelly the way I did about Hilma Af Klimt when I first discovered her work and her story--and I’ve never even seen Kelly’s work!! Props to the author, for that ;)
I’m so glad you were able to catch up this weekend, Chloe. Thank you for reading and for sharing your unique perspective as always. As I was writing the character of Kelly - I thought she might appeal to you!
“They were evidence that I was good at something.” The monumental and potentially transformative impact of getting some kind of evidence you are good at something when you’re a kid/teenager cannot be overstated, in my opinion. I love this self-analysis Kelly does here.
You’re right, it’s huge to get that validation when you’re young, especially from your parents. Many people never do and it shapes their lives accordingly. Thanks for reading Stephanie.
Fascinating that Lefty not only sells the paintings, but dares to let people believe he's the artist. And Kelly goes along with it. The interviewer's theory is intriguing, that Kelly "never really saw yourself as the owner of it, and that’s why it wasn’t hard for you to just let someone else take the credit." And Kelly doesn't confirm or deny. . . . It's enjoyable as a reader to see these events from different angles, and even different times. The labyrinthine nature of the story matches the subject.
Lefty's not afraid to do what's required to move the merchandise ;-) I'm so happy you're enjoying the slow reveal of these characters as they walk the labyrinth. Thank you for being here, friend. We need to catch up soon!
This chapter was so moving Ben. At first I felt a little snarky, “Aha! I knew it from that first event we had a Keane situation!” But that’s inconsequential, especially as you reveal Kelly’s way, her process of channeling, how little she ever wanted to be involved in anything other than the creating. I wonder if that’s how Margaret Keane felt?
This answer says it all. And I felt a heavy yes, a recognition, in my bones when I read it. “Tired. Sad. Proud, a little too, I guess. But mostly tired.”
I had to look up Margaret Keane because I didn’t know anything about her! Rest assured, the story will evolve and we’ll end up in some very different places as these two characters react off one another. Thank you, as always for your thoughtful comments, Kimberly.
I love how you’ve captured the feelings Kelly describes. It feels so authentically how many artists describe themselves and their work. I have wondered about how artists seem so much more authentic and in touch with the world than people who are not art makers.
It is interesting, right? How different the software is that runs on the same basic hardware. Humans are endlessly fascinating. Thanks for reading, Sheri.
I love these glimpses into the future, Ben. It gives the story such a round, whole feeling.
And the idea of Kelly seeing through all the pieces like they’re windows, but not at all like that is just wonderful.
I'm glad the time jumps are working for you. It's been fun to play with gradually revealing more and more about these characters with details that are out of sequence. Thanks for reading and commenting, as always, Holly.
I loved that too -- I'm picturing them as portals. And she can go wherever they are and look out at that place.
I loved this too.
This was such a powerful and insightful chapter Ben, I feel certain only a true artist could have written it so well, a testament to your artistic soul.
I loved the time leap, unexpected definitely but it reveals more of the psyche of both Kelly and Lefty, which is becoming more and more an intrinsic part of the story. Each have their strengths and beliefs which, evidently will eventually compliment each other.
This line “Tired. Sad. Proud, a little too, I guess. But mostly tired.” from Kelly when asked how she feels about the value of her paintings speaks multitudes!
Thank you so much, Susie. As always, there’s an unhealthy dose of me running through the veins of most of my characters.
Ooof! I just binged the last three episodes and had to take a minute to myself as I feel like I’ve been in an emotional tumble-dryer that’s also a time-machine, and it’s pretty psychedelic! That MOMA opening was inspired. The biggest grin spread across my face. Her work is so clear, but also see-through, in mind. The whole thing really is so psychedelic... Ona, the girl lost in Kelly’s painting while Kelly feels her. Drawing the guy to leave! As you know, I’m a big fan of having one foot in another world, but I appreciate that it’s not sugar-coated, how you acknowledge that being lightly tethered to reality can be marvellously creative and simultaneously leave someone really vulnerable.
It’s funny, I feel about Kelly the way I did about Hilma Af Klimt when I first discovered her work and her story--and I’ve never even seen Kelly’s work!! Props to the author, for that ;)
I’m so glad you were able to catch up this weekend, Chloe. Thank you for reading and for sharing your unique perspective as always. As I was writing the character of Kelly - I thought she might appeal to you!
I love her so
“They were evidence that I was good at something.” The monumental and potentially transformative impact of getting some kind of evidence you are good at something when you’re a kid/teenager cannot be overstated, in my opinion. I love this self-analysis Kelly does here.
You’re right, it’s huge to get that validation when you’re young, especially from your parents. Many people never do and it shapes their lives accordingly. Thanks for reading Stephanie.
I read somewhere that if an adult doesn’t believe in you before you reach adolescence you’ve got a hard road ahead. Kelly?
Fascinating that Lefty not only sells the paintings, but dares to let people believe he's the artist. And Kelly goes along with it. The interviewer's theory is intriguing, that Kelly "never really saw yourself as the owner of it, and that’s why it wasn’t hard for you to just let someone else take the credit." And Kelly doesn't confirm or deny. . . . It's enjoyable as a reader to see these events from different angles, and even different times. The labyrinthine nature of the story matches the subject.
Lefty's not afraid to do what's required to move the merchandise ;-) I'm so happy you're enjoying the slow reveal of these characters as they walk the labyrinth. Thank you for being here, friend. We need to catch up soon!
Especially love this exploration of what it means to be an artist, as well as the ownership or agency connected to that concept.
Thanks, Kate. It’s a main theme for this book and a preoccupation I’ve had most of my life.
This chapter was so moving Ben. At first I felt a little snarky, “Aha! I knew it from that first event we had a Keane situation!” But that’s inconsequential, especially as you reveal Kelly’s way, her process of channeling, how little she ever wanted to be involved in anything other than the creating. I wonder if that’s how Margaret Keane felt?
This answer says it all. And I felt a heavy yes, a recognition, in my bones when I read it. “Tired. Sad. Proud, a little too, I guess. But mostly tired.”
I had to look up Margaret Keane because I didn’t know anything about her! Rest assured, the story will evolve and we’ll end up in some very different places as these two characters react off one another. Thank you, as always for your thoughtful comments, Kimberly.
I loved this,Ben.
Kelly’s relationship with her art, with Ona, her being inside the drawing with Ona and feeling the emotions of the girl looking in.
And Kelly still now in contact with her art works and knowing what they have seen.
Wonderful.
Thanks so much, Kay. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the story.
I love how you’ve captured the feelings Kelly describes. It feels so authentically how many artists describe themselves and their work. I have wondered about how artists seem so much more authentic and in touch with the world than people who are not art makers.
It is interesting, right? How different the software is that runs on the same basic hardware. Humans are endlessly fascinating. Thanks for reading, Sheri.
I love these glimpses into the future, Ben. It gives the story such a round, whole feeling.