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29th out of 91 books
—
19 voters
Portrait of an Artist: A Biography of Georgia O'Keeffe
by
Laurie Lisle
Georgia O'Keeffe, one of the most original painters America has ever produced, left behind a remarkable legacy when she died at the age of ninety-eight. Her vivid visual vocabulary -- sensuous flowers, bleached bones against red sky and earth -- had a stunning, profound, and lasting influence on American art in this century. O'Keeffe's personal mystique is as intriguing an...more
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
October 1st 1997
by Washington Square Press
(first published May 1st 1981)
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This is one of the two biographies recommended to docents at the O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe--the less technical one, according to the gift shop assistant who helped me select one. I chose "less technical" because I wanted a fast read--and it was, because Georgia O'Keeffe was such an interesting person.
I deducted one star because the writing style is not exceptional. The writer was too much in the way, creating the feeling of being told only what the writer found out. Of course, one wants the tr...more
I deducted one star because the writing style is not exceptional. The writer was too much in the way, creating the feeling of being told only what the writer found out. Of course, one wants the tr...more
This was pretty badly (or simply) written -- think 5th grade book report -- but the subject was so rich it almost didn't matter. I loved reading this.
Regardless of how you feel about her art, this woman lived her life in a really ballsy freaking way. Her biography read like a spiritual text, a plainly spoken reminder that life can be long, there is more than one way to live, and you should live it the one way you can.
In real life she seemed like a real pain to know, so I don't want to glamoriz...more
Regardless of how you feel about her art, this woman lived her life in a really ballsy freaking way. Her biography read like a spiritual text, a plainly spoken reminder that life can be long, there is more than one way to live, and you should live it the one way you can.
In real life she seemed like a real pain to know, so I don't want to glamoriz...more
I bought this book when it came out in 1980 and now 30 years later I finally read it. Originally I purchased it because I knew she was a part of Stieglitz life and I thought he was great. Originally I thought that she was just a lucky person to have Stieglitz promote her work and that was why she was successful. After reading the book, I have a new appreciation for her as an artist but found her personality irritating. She was born in 1887, the year the woman's right to vote was defeated. Yet sh...more
I became aware of Georgia O'Keeffe through her art but became fascinated by her character and personality. What a fascinating life she led. It is admirable when a person follows their own path. She was a woman who had the courage to not follow the convention of her time and to do what she thought was important. I am drawn to stories of people who seen as provocative and some would say eccentric. A very interesting read. Well researched and it appears to give at least a flavor of the personality...more
I dismissed O'Keeffe's work when I was much younger thinking it was all just flowers. I bought this book on a whim from a street vendor and it's taken me quite a while to read it. However, I am so immensely glad that I read it. I have so much admiration for O'Keeffe's personality and work ethic, brilliance, and independence now. She was so strong-willed at a time that it was not common for women to be so. Sincerely blown away. I am now genuinely interested in her complete body of work and has in...more
This book really piqued my interest in Georgia O'Keefe. It was made less enjoyable by reference to so many works and photographs that were not represented in the photographs, and that all the pictures were black and white. I will look for other works about her. Her story has given me courage to just live my life and not worry about what others think; most people are comfortable within a very small frame of reference and will criticize and judge anyone who ventures beyond.
I read this book in my senior year in high school and was intrigued by Georgia O'Keefe's life. Since then, I've read many, many more books about her life, art, and romances. This book is a very comprehensive look at her youth, adolescence, schooling, the love of her life (Alfred Stieglitz), and of course her art: its expression, medium, and themes.
If you like art, New Mexico, New York, and women beyond their times, this is a book for you.
If you like art, New Mexico, New York, and women beyond their times, this is a book for you.
Non-fiction always takes me a long time to slog through, but I'm glad I stuck it out and finished this one. I read it in order to prepare for a new book I bought of letters between Georgia and Stieglitz and wanted to know more about her history and life before tackling those. She was an amazing woman - very often misunderstood and hard to get a long with - but she could have cared less. For her, it was all about the art.
O'Keefe lived for almost 100 years - nearly a third of the existence of the United States - and learning about her life, from the prarie to the South to New York and then to nearly 40 years Out West is a fascinating commentary on the very short history of this country...plus, she was way ahead of her time intellectually and I love her work!
The writing is not exactly engaging, but O'Keefe's story is incredibly inspiring and keeps you reading. I gave up half-way, but plan to pick this book up again one day if I feel up for slogging through Lisle's dissertation-like prose. Or maybe not.
God, I love my sister-in-law who digs around dark nooks and finds little gems like this. Then she shares them!
The last 1/3 of the book was a bit slow -- basically I think the author had trouble drumming up material on O'Keefe's life in New Mexico as the artist was ambivalent at best about this book being written and because, in NM, O'Keefe was no longer on the cultural radar the way she had been in New York, married to Alfred Stieglitz.
The author's writing style is nothing spectacular, but O'Ke...more
The last 1/3 of the book was a bit slow -- basically I think the author had trouble drumming up material on O'Keefe's life in New Mexico as the artist was ambivalent at best about this book being written and because, in NM, O'Keefe was no longer on the cultural radar the way she had been in New York, married to Alfred Stieglitz.
The author's writing style is nothing spectacular, but O'Ke...more
I wanted to know more about the enigmatic Georgia O'Keeffe after a recent trip to Santa Fe. While not terribly compelling in its writing style, this book is a thorough biography of the timeline of the artist's life. Her unique personality does emerge and with it a better understanding of a legendary talent and a person whom can easily be said to have led an exceptional life.
I read this while majoring in art, after seeing her work in an art history book. She became one of my favorite artists and have since traveled to see her works on exhibit.
Interesting and entertaining; I am falling in love with Georgia O/Keeffe's independence and moxie. The deeper I get into this biography the more I want to pick up a paintbrush!
I enjoyed learning about O'Keefe and her husband, the famous art photographer, Stieglitz. The book is thoroughly researched, and fairly well-written. O'Keefe lived into her 90's, so it is a long story, and it sometimes felt repetitive. I would have loved for the book to have examples of the artwork that was described--I ended up going to the library to look at art books. Overall, it was a pretty engrossing read.
Thoroughly detailed but somewhat lifeless look at Georgia O'Keeffe's life and work. It would have been better with more reproductions of the artwork.
I enjoyed this biography. If you are interested in the art world at that time and curious bout he lif as a whole, this was an interesting read.
My favorite artist. She was a leader for women in her time, an inspiration.
May 05, 2011
Jane Campbell
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobio-biography
Loved learning more about painting and about the times when MS O'Keefe lived.
Very good writing. Georgia O'Keefe wasn't a very nice person, but everyone let her get away with it because she was an awesome artist. I have many, many things in common with her.
interesting story
not the kindest person to read about
not the kindest person to read about
Interesting woman, interesting story. Great read.
I thought this was a wonderful biography of O'Keefe...
Very good. Very detailed history. Enjoyed it
This book turned me on to biographies.
I really enjoyed this book. I read another book about Georgia O'Keeffe but it was more about her art then her life as was the book I read about Alfred Steigliz. This was a great book about her life.
"Readers will welcome what Lisle has found. The woman who emerges has extraordinary personal stature, artistic gifts, commitment to her vision." � Chicago Tribune
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I have always been drawn to Georgia O'Keefe's paintings, but never knew much about her. I understand a lot more about this woman and her art now. She was one tough woman. It was inspiring to read about her life and how she paved the way for other women artists in future generations. Even if it was not her intent.
I knew practically nothing about Georgia O'Keeffe when starting this. This biography is rough and perhaps a little exhaustive at times, but it does give a pretty good picture of O'Keeffe's life and work.
I keep reading books about O'Keeffe, and except for Miss O'Keeffe, none of them really stick with me. Have made trips to see the exhibit in Washington, and several times to Santa Fe museum; lots of reproductions hanging on the walls.
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Aug 07, 2011 09:53pm