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Art Thursday... So Degas!

There's a great story behind this Degas painting, which I detail in my book, "With Violets," (Avon, September 2008).  The painting is called, "Manet Listening to His Wife Play the Piano." The story goes that when Degas gifted it to Manet, Manet was a less than gracious recipient. In fact, Manet is responsible for the ochre stripe down the right side of the canvas.  What do you see in this painting?

Art Thursday... My Favorite Morisot

"La Lecture," is one of my very favorite Berthe Morisot paintings. This is quintesssential Morisot -- the colors, the delicate brushwork, the dreamy, romantic feel of the composition.  I have a copy of this one on the wall behind my desk. In fact, if you look back at my February 16, "A Little Romance" post, you can see it in the uppermost right corner of the picture. It's tucked behind the corner of the gold frame.  Which reminds me, I must have it framed!

Delicious Monday...Delicious Anticipation

I’m so excited about the re-release of “With Violets” – September 2008, Avon Trade Paperback – that I have several treats in store for you over the months leading up to the book’s release. 

In this love story about French Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot and master artist Édouard Manet, fact and fiction merge. It’s based on documented historical facts with the missing pieces “painted in.”  I’ve woven in several of the couple’s famous paintings, supposing the circumstances that might have lent inspiration to the creation of these great works of art.

Be sure to check back on Art Thursdays (starting this week and running through September), for a sneak peek at some of these paintings.  To kick things off, I thought it would be fun to show you the actual Manet painting on which Avon based the book’s cover.  It’s called “Repose,” and what I imagine led up to it when Manet painted it in 1870 is in the book.  Berthe’s posture and little foot peeking out beneath the hem of her gown would’ve been considered quite sensual back in the day... Oh la la!

A Little Romance

This Valentine’s Day was particularly memorable.  We always celebrate Valentine’s Day, but this year my husband had to work that evening.  So we made alternative plans to meet for lunch.

When I went out to get into my car, I was surprised by a big “I Love You” heart balloon, which he’d tied to the windshield wiper. I smiled all the way to the restaurant, where he greeted me with a bouquet of two-dozen gorgeous red tulips. Something about the balloon and the flowers and meeting my sweetheart mid-day struck me as incredibly romantic – especially after all these years of marriage.   I’m a very, very lucky lady! What did you do for the most romantic day of the year?

New cover for "With Violets"

I just received the cover for my first Avon release, "With Violets," which will be out in September 2008. Since it's historical women's fiction -- a story centered around the lives of the French Impressionist painters -- I'm writing under the name Elizabeth Robards. Closer to the book's release, I'm going to launch an Elizabeth Robards website. What do you think of the cover?