Most stories begin simply. ‘If you really want to hear about it…’[1]’ ‘Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life…’[2] “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”[3] ... You better not never tell nobody but G-d."[4]
The other day a friend was visiting my place. One of my paintings was hanging in the living room. He had not seen it before. He walked past it as if there was just white wall space. I wondered if it would have attracted his attention had I had nailed a dead mouse to the wall. I know that he does not relate to art. I could have a Picasso hanging and I don’t think it would have mattered. In fact, I think most of my friends would not have seen either my painting, the mouse or the Picasso.
I have to get new friends.
[1] J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye
[2] Charles Dickens, David Cooperfied.
[3] Jane Austin, Pride and Prejudice
[4] Alice Walker, The Color Purple