Looking at a Hopper (What are they thinking?)

July 5, 2008...1:34 pm

Looking at a Hopper (What are they thinking?)

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Hey guys an’ galls… Ruby here. So Emil is very happy at his new job working with Travis at the bookstore and I’m still at the Green Coffee Cup which I enjoy. But I do miss being involved in art so I enrolled in a late night drawing class at the local art college. We do plenty of life drawing and quick sketches and it’s really kickass

What got me back into art was my birthday present from Emil. He gave me a framed photo of three Edward Hopper paintings (He knows I love Hopper paintings). Edward Hoppers most famous painting is called Nighthawks, but the image above is called Hotel Room and it’s one of my favourites. Yes it’s a bit morbid, but is it? What I love about Hopper paintings like Hotel Room is you can really use your imagination and try and think about what is going on in the picture. Look at the body language of the subjects and objects in the frame. It all tells a story… I’ve always wondered what that letter in her hand says.

Take this couple in a New York Restaurant – What’s he saying to her? Is he handing her a ring? Is she relaxed or backing slightly away from him. Is that waitress listening in? The lady with the dark hair is smiling, has she overheard something funny???

This is all pretty obvious maybe, but I love to look at Hoppers paintings and just make up little stories. I’m sure some people may do this and others may not care but I love these paintings. I’d love to know if anybody else does this.