Hopper & Storch: Lessons in Light and Shadow

-By Gretta Cole

Inspired by the resurgent 1950s aesthetic, I'm exploring the evocative paintings of Edward Hopper and Sally Storch.

I spent last weekend with my fabulous cousin and schooled art historian Catherine Oates. I happened to mention the American artist Sally Storch - I love her paintings.

Sally Storch is a Pasadena, California-based painter Her paintings aren't just pictures – they're portals to stories! Every detail comes alive, although they seem to depict isolation I think they tell tales of connection and meaning. I could easily step into the vibrant streets of Los Angeles in a bygone era steeped in nostalgia. Sally Storch invites you to craft your own stories within her beautiful artwork. Her use of light and shadow is really impressive.

Black Dress, Sally Storch

I’m not an art historian just a fan - Catherine could see the similarities of Sally Storch’s work to Edward Hopper's more famous body of work. She was spot on and this isn't the first time someone has drawn this comparison.

Edward Hopper (1882-1967) was an American artist who painted everyday scenes. Instead of happy gatherings, he focused on people feeling alone or lost in thought. City diners at night with just a few customers, or empty beaches under a bright sun. He used light and shadow to make these scenes feel even more dramatic.

Hopper's work is special because it doesn't tell you exactly what to think. He lets you decide what the story is and how you feel about it. That's why his paintings are still popular today - they make you think!

A masterpiece... Hoppers ‘Nighthawks’ depicts a brightly lit diner that stands out against the dark empty street. Inside, three customers and a waiter share a quiet moment, each lost in their own thoughts. It resonates with me, a picture that speaks volumes about loneliness in the city.

Edward Hopper ‘Nighthawks’

I adore ‘Early Sunday Morning’ (1930). You know that eerie feeling you get when you find yourself alone in an urban city early in the morning? This masterpiece captures that feeling perfectly, empty buildings in the cold light of dawn. The closed shops and shuttered windows, a sense of quiet stillness.

Edward Hopper ‘Early Sunday Morning’

In my view Sally Storch creates equally moving paintings that have a dreamy romanticism. Hopper's work is bittersweet, while portraying seemingly ordinary scenes of everyday life, I can find romantic interpretations in his brushstrokes, the true power lies in his portrayal of loneliness within these ordinary moments.

Edward Hopper needs no introduction from me but If you get a chance have a look at Sally Storch’s work I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Night stories, Sally Storch

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