Elizabeth
asked
Susan Vreeland:
Your writing has reignited my curiosity of these artists. I now look at these treasures with new eyes and excitement. Thank you for this stimulus! Was your writing choice peaked by your curiosity of a muse or how did their friends/family shape their craft?
Susan Vreeland
I can't say that a muse attracted me, nor can I say that the artists' friends or families shaped their craft (except for Artemisia Gentileschi whose use of chiarascuro was modeled on Caravaggio's use of this technique). In the case of Emily Carr (The Forest Lover), the sort of painting--fussy, small, detailed, overly sweet--done by her friends did not appeal to her, and she veered in the opposite direction of simple lines, strong, bold subjects, large canvases, dynamic movement, tending in later years toward abstraction. And Vermeer was influenced by no one. Meticulously he worked out in layers his paintings, developing his own methods over time.
More Answered Questions
Chanel
asked
Susan Vreeland:
Dear Ms. Vreeland, I grew up in San Diego and I remember being handed your book "Girl in Hyacinth Blue", by my teacher in the 8th grade. It was a recommendation that the teacher had picked out just for me and it has stuck with me throughout all these years. It felt like magic. I found part of myself I didn't know I was missing in those pages. Your book had an amazing impact on me. Thank you.
Marilyn
asked
Susan Vreeland:
Hi Susan! I'm wondering how the story of Lisette's List unfolded. Were all your characters and their relationships clearly in mind before you started writing? Or were there some surprises along the way? Thanks for another wonderful book and for transporting us to the beautiful village of Roussillion!!
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