Category: AUTHORS

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Portrait of an Author – D.M. Cameron

Welcome to my fun Q&A where you’ll discover new things about some of our favourite authors. I’m delighted to welcome the very talented D.M. Cameron to my blog series that celebrates an art form other than creating beautiful books — and that’s painting. 

As my latest novel is a love story about a sitter and a reluctant artist, I’m into all things arty right now. I hope you like this … my Portrait of An Author.

Welcome D.M.,

Q: As pose and composition are important factors for a portrait, choose what kind of ‘look’ would you like for your portrait.

  • On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)
  • Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)
  • A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)
  • In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)
  • Other

A: Other – Maybe a Gustav Klimt type of portrait with pretty colours and angles…

Q: *Snap* I just took your photo as a reference for my portrait of you. Tell us where you are and what you’re wearing. (Be honest.)

A: In front of my computer in my pyjamas.

Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?

A: My debut novel…pretty precious to me at present as it has only been out a few weeks and I still like touching it and holding it.

Q: With acquired savant syndrome* featuring in my next novel, I’m curious . . . If you were to wake up from a coma one day to find yourself totally obsessed and a genius (in something other than writing, of course) what would you want it to be? (music, painting, languages, maths, touching your toes while typing, etc)

A: A singer. I can’t sing but I love singing. My whole life people have politely asked me to stop singing. I am that bad, I was even kicked out of the school choir.

Q: If you happened to wake up one day and be a genius with a paintbrush, whose portrait would you want to paint and why?

A: Joseph Campbell. The knowledge this man held seems infinite. His work and consequent belief system changed my life.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

  • Oil on canvas
  • Watercolour
  • Pencil/Ink
  • Pastels
  • Kiddy crayons

A: Watercolour

Picasso once asked the question: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?” In my next novel, the artists says to 58 y.o Ava, “A mature person has depth of character and it’s their layers, built from life’s lessons that interest me the most—when wisdom replaces curiosity and experience replaces youthful exuberance.”

 Q: What two traits would you hope an artist captures in a portrait of you?

A: My sense of wonder and joy.

Q: Because every fireplace deserves a portrait, in whose house would you hang a portrait of you as a surprise and what would they say?

A: One of my favourite Australian authors – probably Tim Winton. He would say – ‘Who the hell is that?’

Q: Keeping in mind that lucky recipient of your portrait, how would see yourself framed?

  • Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am)
  • Modernist – chrome, nothing too fancy
  • Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
  • Flamboyant – go all the way and gilt edged!

A: Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world

Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plaque/title your portrait, how would it read?

A: She lived to write.

And write she has. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally an actress, debut novelist, D.M. Cameron, is an AWGIE nominated radio dramatist, award winning playwright and celebrated short film writer. She received funding to begin work on her first novel and was then selected for a Varuna Litlink residency to further develop this initial draft into what became ‘Beneath the Mother Tree’ – published by MidnightSun Publishing. Donna is currently at work on a second novel and taking notes for a third.

www.dmcameron.com

https://www.instagram.com/dmcameronwriter/

https://www.facebook.com/DMCameronWriter/

If you enjoyed this post, why not share it? Or you might like to subscribe to my newsletter for, well, news! (see right) Lots more authors coming up.

Now… Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel, available in print and ebook (worldwide).

Check out my Book Room for info about A Place to Remember.

 

*Acquired savant syndrome, in which a person acquires prodigious capabilities or skills following dementia, a head injury or concussion, epilepsy or other disturbances.

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The craziest thing happened…I got married

After 35 years together, we finally did it!

Like all brides, we kept our outfits a surprise, but I reckon the jeans were pretty-much expected!

 

The sun shone (but, oh, that Barmoya breeze!!)

 

Those special people we missed having with us on the day were remembered — they were with us in spirit and in picture frames!

(And my sister and dad gave us the roses (coz they knew we’d be too cheap to buy flowers!) and the Willow Tree figurines – two ladies, their hands actually grasp each other’s. Love them!)

Shannon Garner is far too gorgeous to be a bridesmaid, but she is also far too special to not be, so we did our best to also look 38!!

Shannon looked after our wedding bands, did a beautiful reading about dragonflies (so fitting) and she also came in handy doing nails.

We got to have our cake and eat our cake, too! Not only was the cake a surprise (thanks to our super, multi-talented celebrant, Cheryl Steele), it was a Red Velvet cake that not only matched our outfits, it was yum! And I’d always wanted to try a red velvet cake, too.)

 

The 4th generation Barretts (David and Marie) were our witnesses and there is Mount Hedlow in the background (which I mention in A Place to Remember).

And of course there were Henderson Park cows!

 

Henderson Park is, of course, the inspiring landscape where I camped in a paddock while writing A Place to Remember. (And I did drop a big hint in Chapter 32!!)

 

Thank you Gina (L) and Annika (R) (the 5th generation Barretts and #6 is pretty in pink, too!)

Henderson Park Farm Retreat shone, as always — and it will always be A Place to Remember.

Henderson Park Farm Retreat pic
Ava’s cooks’ cottage (Henderson Park Farm Retreat)
Blair’s marquee (Henderson Park Farm Retreat pic)
And we danced!

So, there you go. If you voted “yes’ last year, thank you!

PS: I think I might have found my next book cover. Thank you Shannon and Iron Pot Hill for being so beautiful on the day and being my muse for another story!!

Want more? J&J Get Married (in 3 minutes) You Tube

Now read the book inspired by the landscape and Henderson Park. (and that Chapter 32!)

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Sasha Wasley – Portrait of an Author

Welcome to my fun Q&A where you’ll discover new things about some of our favourite authors. I’m delighted to welcome the very talented Sasha Wasley, to a blog series that celebrates an art form other than creating beautiful books — painting. As requested, I’ve managed an oil on canvas but with an earthy feel!!

Because my latest novel is a love story about a sitter and a reluctant artist I’m into all thing arty right now. I hope you like this … my Portrait of An Author.

Welcome Sasha. 

Q: As pose and composition are important factors for a portrait, choose what kind of ‘look’ would you like for your portrait.

  • On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)
  • Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)
  • A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)
  • In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)
  • Other

A: Other: I would like to be seated in a parlour in a smoking jacket with my spaniel (spoodle) at my feet, clutching a leather-bound book to my breast, a glass of fine red wine raised in elegant salute!

Q: *Snap* I just took your photo as a reference for my portrait of you. Tell us where you are and what you’re wearing. (Be honest.)

A: Sprung! I’m at my desk with a glass of Friday night bubbly. It’s raining and my cat is beside me on the other office chair, cleaning her toes. I still have my work clothes on – jeans and a top (I don’t do smart office wear very well), with a tracksuit jacket over the top for warmth. I replaced my work shoes with waterproof boots for the trek down to the bottom of the yard to put the chooks away (it’s muddy out there). No jewellery.

Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?

A My mother-of-pearl shell. I found it when snorkelling at Rottnest Island as a 17 year old. It was really hard to get (it was on the ocean floor, quite deep) and I was oddly buoyant! I wanted it desperately because it appeared to be the size of a dinner plate. It took three tries and I had to equalize the pressure on my ears on the way down. Finally I got it – and it turned out to be only about 10cm – it had been magnified by the water! I’ve had it ever since and it means a lot to me. It represents persistence.

Q: With acquired savant syndrome* featuring in my next novel, I’m curious . . . If you were to wake up from a coma one day to find yourself totally obsessed and a genius (in something other than writing, of course) what would you want it to be? (music, painting, languages, maths, touching your toes while typing, etc)

A: Oh, music for sure! Piano or composing. Or cello. Or even multiple instruments. Music is a massive part of my ‘creative process’ but I can’t play, other than a load of Christmas carols and songs I taught myself by ear on an old electric organ as a kid. It had one broken key, which was quite frustrating. I have a number of Spotify playlists that I use to inspire my writing and I’ve always been an avid music listener.

Q: If you happened to wake up one day and be a genius with a paintbrush, whose portrait would you want to paint and why?

A: My daughters. I could stare at them all day. I find them wondrous to look at.

Q: Your preferred medium would be?

  • Oil on canvas
  • Watercolour
  • Pencil/Ink
  • Pastels
  • Kiddy crayons

A: Oil on canvas. I love the beautiful light and softness that oils offer. But pen or pencil would probably be a more comfortable medium, you know, because of the writing thing!

Picasso once asked the question: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?” In my next novel, the artists says to 58 y.o Ava, “A mature person has depth of character and it’s their layers, built from life’s lessons that interest me the most—when wisdom replaces curiosity and experience replaces youthful exuberance.”

 Q: What two traits would you hope an artist captures in a portrait of you?

A: My fierce passion to fight injustice and my quirky silliness. Possibly a tough combination to achieve.

Q: Because every fireplace deserves a portrait, in whose house would you hang a portrait of you as a surprise and what would they say?

A: My sisters’ houses, because – you know – they are crazy about me and would LOVE seeing my face casting judgement upon them every moment of the day.

Q: Keeping in mind that lucky recipient of your portrait, how would see yourself framed?

  • Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am)
  • Modernist – chrome, nothing too fancy
  • Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
  • Flamboyant – go all the way and gilt edged!

A: Sophisticated. I love wood, I love old world. Earthy and classic. And I think it would suit their décor.

Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plaque/title your portrait, how would it read?

Sasha Wasley – a true paradox. Introverted attention seeker.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sasha Wasley was born and raised in WA and now lives in the Perth hills with her partner and two daughters. Sasha has a PhD in feminist theory and is an animal lover who is enthusiastic about social and environmental issues. She writes general fiction, YA and mystery and is the author of two paranormal series, as well as the Kimberley romances Dear Banjo and True Blue.

https://sashawasley.com/ 
https://www.penguin.com.au/authors/sasha-wasley

 

If you enjoyed Sasha’s post, why not share it? Or you might like to subscribe to my newsletter for, well, news! (see right) Lots more authors coming up.

Now… Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel, available in print and ebook (worldwide).

Check out my Book Room for info about A Place to Remember.

 

*Acquired savant syndrome, in which a person acquires prodigious capabilities or skills following dementia, a head injury or concussion, epilepsy or other disturbances.