Stephen King and the Art of Unease
For those who know me, I am a huge horror fan. Stephen King in particular has been incredibly influential on my art. Growing up, I’ve seen and re-watched many of the films based on his books; however it’s only recently I’ve been reading them and I’m completely obsessed. As I read, I find myself thinking not just about the story but about texture, shadow, silence and fear. The way he builds dread over pages reminds me of how I try to layer unease into my own work.
Having just finished the incredible Salem’s Lot, I’ve been influenced by the small-town creepiness. The way he took roughly 200 pages to paint the town and the characters is genius. I love slow moving stories and the detail put into the build up: the people of the town beginning to show small signs that something was very wrong. Within my own art, I strive to create very still images with flickers of detail that hint at the same chaos. Like the small-town worlds King writes about, I like my prints to show characters stuck in eerie, dark places- unable to leave.
Image taken from 1979 two-part TV series ‘Salem’s Lot’
King often draws upon themes of internal as well as external horrors. In Misery, I was swept up in the inner turmoil that the main character has as he continues to write an amazing book-whilst battling the terrifying Annie Wilkes. The escapism he found in writing really made me think of my own approach to art. When things are difficult in life, art is always something I turn to. I like to use my drawings as my own escapism and I would say that my most exciting work is born out of these times.
Kathy Bates in the 1991 film ‘Misery’
Stephen King has not only influenced my art but his writing style feels so achievable- although I’m very aware that this is because he is an incredible writer who makes it feel effortless. In fact, he has inspired me to begin writing a blog- which hopefully will help me explore my own art more.
As I begin the widely renowned ‘scariest book’ of King’s: Pet Cemetery, I will end by asking…What’s your favourite horror book and what should I read next?
