Inspired by Art

Research is one of the great joys of writing an historical novel.

When I worked on my debut novel, Paris Kiss, I didn’t confine myself to reading dusty tomes on 19th century Paris.

Art from the period helped fire my imagination about what life was like for my two heroines, Camille Claudel and Jessie Lipscomb, who were protégées of the great sculptor Rodin.

300px-Edouard_Manet_-_Luncheon_on_the_Grass_-_Google_Art_Project-2As well as poring over history books, biographies, fashion plates and memoirs, I looked closely at the work of Camille Claudel, Rodin, Seurat, Renoir, Manet and Toulouse-Lautrec, among others.

Artists at the time were working en plein air, capturing the every day lives of Parisians.Continue Reading