Pamela Poole's Blog, page 2
March 3, 2015
The Gazebo on the Battery and Painter Place
When I created the settings for my novel Painter Place, I knew what I wanted. I drew from my experiences of living in the Charleston, SC area and many visits to the coast north of the city. However, writing almost thirty years from the time of my story, I also knew that many things had changed, even in an old historic setting. One of those things is the change in the popular Pavilion Gazebo at White Point Gardens on the Battery in Charleston, SC. Since the gazebo was the setting for two important scenes in Part Three of my novel, I knew I had to get it right.
On any given weekend in Charleston on the Battery, weddings are taking place on the pavilion gazebo, and passers-by watch as the events unfold. Until 2010, the wedding photos were taken on a structure with a six foot tall foundation, but the new structure is now three feet off the ground. The new version wasn’t built until the year after we had to leave Charleston, so I still do a double-take when I see it instead of the taller one. Painter Place is set in the summer of 1985, and the gazebo foundation could be leaned against because it was as tall as a man. This is the description I used in the novel.
According to information on Wikipedia, the pavilion bandstand was built in 1907. In 1934, the structure was raised three feet and restrooms were installed under it (they still need restrooms on the Battery!). Because of law enforcement issues, the bathrooms were locked at some point. The city restored the bandstand and lowered it to the original height of three feet in April, 2010.
There is nothing like the experience of strolling under the tall palms and oaks on the Battery, especially at sunset. If you’ve read my novel Painter Place and get the chance to enjoy stepping up into the gazebo, just remember that it was much taller in the novel than the beautiful new one is today.
On any given weekend in Charleston on the Battery, weddings are taking place on the pavilion gazebo, and passers-by watch as the events unfold. Until 2010, the wedding photos were taken on a structure with a six foot tall foundation, but the new structure is now three feet off the ground. The new version wasn’t built until the year after we had to leave Charleston, so I still do a double-take when I see it instead of the taller one. Painter Place is set in the summer of 1985, and the gazebo foundation could be leaned against because it was as tall as a man. This is the description I used in the novel.
According to information on Wikipedia, the pavilion bandstand was built in 1907. In 1934, the structure was raised three feet and restrooms were installed under it (they still need restrooms on the Battery!). Because of law enforcement issues, the bathrooms were locked at some point. The city restored the bandstand and lowered it to the original height of three feet in April, 2010.
There is nothing like the experience of strolling under the tall palms and oaks on the Battery, especially at sunset. If you’ve read my novel Painter Place and get the chance to enjoy stepping up into the gazebo, just remember that it was much taller in the novel than the beautiful new one is today.
February 25, 2015
Charleston's Romantic Palmetto Roses
Most visitors to Charleston, SC will recognize the Palmetto Rose, sold at the historic Market and often by young vendors around the Battery. Charleston tradition says that Southern Belles would give their true love a Palmetto Rose as a token to keep them safe from harm as they rode into battle. Handcrafted woven roses are still popular keepsakes that symbolize everlasting love.
Palmetto Roses are skillfully created by hand, typically using four fronds from the Palmetto tree, which is on the flag of South Carolina and is the official State Tree. Since each leaf has a unique color and appearance, no two roses are ever exactly the same. Even their natural colors may vary from dark green to yellow or tan. The personal style of each person who crafts the roses also makes them unique.
One of the delights of living in Charleston was when my husband and I took walks around White Point Gardens at the Battery, where young vendors would sell their palmetto rose handiwork. I keep my roses out on a table all year to remind me of those wonderful walks, and created a painting of a trio of my roses that can be seen on my Fine Art America website at:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/ch...
Palmetto roses play a role in Part 3 of my novel Painter Place, where they are purchased twice during romantic walks on the Battery and represent passion and everlasting love. If you would like to learn more about how Charleston's palmetto roses are made by hand, there is a video and step-by-step article on them here:
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/ch...
Palmetto Roses are skillfully created by hand, typically using four fronds from the Palmetto tree, which is on the flag of South Carolina and is the official State Tree. Since each leaf has a unique color and appearance, no two roses are ever exactly the same. Even their natural colors may vary from dark green to yellow or tan. The personal style of each person who crafts the roses also makes them unique.
One of the delights of living in Charleston was when my husband and I took walks around White Point Gardens at the Battery, where young vendors would sell their palmetto rose handiwork. I keep my roses out on a table all year to remind me of those wonderful walks, and created a painting of a trio of my roses that can be seen on my Fine Art America website at:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/ch...
Palmetto roses play a role in Part 3 of my novel Painter Place, where they are purchased twice during romantic walks on the Battery and represent passion and everlasting love. If you would like to learn more about how Charleston's palmetto roses are made by hand, there is a video and step-by-step article on them here:
http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/ch...
February 10, 2015
Painter Place, the Novel
It's such an incredible experience to be able to combine my life as an artist with being an author. When my publisher wanted to use a painting I created for the novel as the cover, it was more than I could have dreamed of!
I wrote "Painter Place" as a challenge when I was so frustrated with finding the kind of books I wanted to read. I had dreamed the basis for it when we still lived in South Carolina, and written it down as notes when I awakened. A couple of years later, after returning yet another book to the library that I stopped reading, my son told me I should write the kind of books I wanted to read. I pulled out the notes from my dream and began working. "Painter Place" was born, and it took on its own life to become a series. The second book, "Hugo," is now being reviewed by my publisher, and the third, "Jaguar," is in the research phase and pouring out of me!
I've always felt that creativity is a gift that spills over from being created in God's image, and just as He would use it for good, so should I. Everything I create is meant to be enjoyed by all ages, with no offensive language. If fans of the Painter Place series would like to watch some of the writing process, they can follow my inspiration boards on Pinterest at my page, PamelaPooleArt. I will be posting a lot of information about the series on my artist business page on facebook, Pamela Poole Fine Art. Using photos, paintings, drawings, and quotes, I will share snippets and insider tips from the series. I would love to interact with friends and see some fan art inspired by the books on my page!
Painter Place has a public playlist on Spotify, featuring the many songs mentioned in the novel. Since the setting is in 1985, there are many oldies and classic rock selections within the story.
I am available to speak to libraries, women's groups, and youth groups. Please contact me if you'd like more information.
I wrote "Painter Place" as a challenge when I was so frustrated with finding the kind of books I wanted to read. I had dreamed the basis for it when we still lived in South Carolina, and written it down as notes when I awakened. A couple of years later, after returning yet another book to the library that I stopped reading, my son told me I should write the kind of books I wanted to read. I pulled out the notes from my dream and began working. "Painter Place" was born, and it took on its own life to become a series. The second book, "Hugo," is now being reviewed by my publisher, and the third, "Jaguar," is in the research phase and pouring out of me!
I've always felt that creativity is a gift that spills over from being created in God's image, and just as He would use it for good, so should I. Everything I create is meant to be enjoyed by all ages, with no offensive language. If fans of the Painter Place series would like to watch some of the writing process, they can follow my inspiration boards on Pinterest at my page, PamelaPooleArt. I will be posting a lot of information about the series on my artist business page on facebook, Pamela Poole Fine Art. Using photos, paintings, drawings, and quotes, I will share snippets and insider tips from the series. I would love to interact with friends and see some fan art inspired by the books on my page!
Painter Place has a public playlist on Spotify, featuring the many songs mentioned in the novel. Since the setting is in 1985, there are many oldies and classic rock selections within the story.
I am available to speak to libraries, women's groups, and youth groups. Please contact me if you'd like more information.
