Ask the Next Question: stories + images inspired by Theodore Sturgeon - Maurice Buckley
Maurice Buckley
Starr
watercolor on paper, 11 x 14”
Sturgeon inspiration: “Thunder and Roses”
When researching Sturgeon’s short stories, I came upon a number of grand titles. Titles like “Godbody”, Microcosmic God, “The Man Who Lost the Sea” and many others. However, one title really struck me: the short story called “Thunder and Roses”.
After reading this story, I was inspired by the relationship of two of the main characters, Starr Anthim and Pete Mawser. In the design phase, I did not want to simply depict any imagery revolving around thunder or a rose. I wanted to depict Starr. To me she represented hope and softness. Pete holding her up and carrying her felt fitting in both a physical sense and a philosophical one.
MAURICE BUCKLEY is an Illustrator and educator. He received his BFA at Alfred University in 2013. Since then, he's been teaching art all around New York City, through organizations such as The Art Student's League of New York, and Doing Art Together. In addition to teaching, he works from home as a comic book artist. He currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, working on his next major project.