Shivering Sheep
With original artwork created on Midjourney
“I just love this sweater,” Ava declared, admiring herself, and her new clothing in the full-length mirror on the inside of her bedroom door. “I’m so glad Mom brought it back from Scotland for me. Fairisle sweaters are my favorite!”
Aileen rolled her eyes at her twin’s preening. She lay on her bed, with her knees bent and lower legs rising behind her. She wiggled her bare toes as she turned the page of the book she was reading.
“I wonder if sheep get cold,” she said, smirking when Ava turned from the mirror to face her, a look of confusion marring that oh so smooth brow line.
“What?” Ava asked. “Why would sheep get cold?”
“After they shave them, of course. It gets windy up on those Scottish hills, you know.”
Ava looked at Aileen as if she was contemplating whether or not her sister was pulling her leg. Evidently deciding she wasn’t, Ava sniffed and said, “I’m sure the sheep are just fine. They can huddle together if it’s windy. Besides, they don’t shear them until at least the middle of June. I read that somewhere.”
Aileen had known this, of course. She’d done a report on the wool industry in Scotland last year for school. Instead of pointing that out to her sister, she said, “That’s good to know. I guess they don’t get cold. Speaking of which, do you want to get an ice cream?”
Ava’s eyes lit up. Aileen closed her book and grabbed her purse, satisfied that she had once again distracted her sister from another afternoon of fashion talk.
This story grew from the prompt words love, sheep, and wind. I’m not a twin, but I shared a room with two sisters growing up. It has both advantages and disadvantages. Aileen is more diplomatic (and cleverer) than I was!
When I made the image that accompanies the story, I told the program to create it in the style of Andrew Wyeth. I went through a number of iterations but ultimately decided I liked this early one best. There’s more an impression of sheep than any solid definition, I think.
What’s your take? Do you like images to be crisp? What’s your favorite art style?
Fun story, I absolutely love this image. I love a good realistic image, but this leaves room for the mind to Wonder.
Not having had siblings, this is how I always imagined it would be. I like the image but have never been drawn to any one particular style. It's always about how it makes me feel which, of course, is dependent upon the subjects and the colours. I like the subjects and the colours in this picture so, of course, I like it ☺️