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 writer, Lisa Walker, to the blog series that celebrates the art of portraiture. As my new novel is a love story about a sitter and an artist I thought it was a cute idea.
Speaking of cute… Wait until you see the cover of Lisa’s latest novel.
So, let’s start, Lisa. (I hope the kids appreciate the gilt-edged oil painting!!)
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: Seeing as I have Antarctica on the brain I can only see myself standing heroically in the snow at the South Pole wearing a fur-lined, ice-encrusted hood (Scott of the Antarctic style).
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: Well, this is embarrassing, but in the interest of honesty… I am wearing a cotton kimono, which would be quite stylish, except for the fact that it’s turned a little cool and rainy today so I’ve just put my towelling dressing gown over the top. Not a good look, but very functional. I am seated at my desk, which looks out over some palm trees and the sea.
Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?
A: Given that my portrait is being painted in the snow, the only precious item that would be appropriate is my skis. Although I live in the sub-tropics now, cross-country skiing is a big part of my life. I used to be an instructor and still go on cross-country skiing expeditions, staying in backcountry huts every year. So, yes, the skis are precious.
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?
A: Being a musician or a painter would be good, but waking up and finding that I could speak a number of languages fluently would be amazing. I love to travel, but I always think how much better it would be if I could speak to the locals. If I could speak Japanese, French, Greek, Spanish and Italian, I’d have my bases covered.
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: Australian women heroes don’t get enough attention, so I would choose to paint Jade Hameister. In January this year, this sixteen-year-old Australian became the youngest person ever to ski to both the North and South Poles, as well as the Greenland Ice Shelf. She hopes to shift attention from how young women look to what they can do. Hear hear!
(I saw her story. She is so amazing!)
Q: Your preferred medium would be?
- Oil on canvas
- Watercolour
- Pencil/Ink
- Pastels
- Kiddy crayons
A: Oil on canvas. I like the texture and the vibrant colour in oil paintings.
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?
Energy and optimism. I’m definitely a glass half full person.
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: I’d need to have two copies made, so I could hang one in each of my son’s houses. I can imagine them saying, ‘I always knew she’d make it to the South Pole one 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: Seeing as I’m giving it to my sons, I’ll go gilt edged, then they can always pawn the frame if they run short of cash.
Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plaque/title your portrait, how would it read?
A: I’m just going outside and may be some time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa is the author of five novels including ‘Melt’ and her debut young adult novel, ‘Paris Syndrome’, which both came out this year. She has also had a radio play produced for ABC Radio National. She lives on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she divides her time between surfing and writing.
Connect: www.lisawalker.com.au www.facebook.com/lisawalkerhome
If you enjoyed Lisa’s post, why not show some author love and share online?
And before you go, I have more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel — about a portrait, an obsession, and an affair to remember — so stay tuned (or sign up to my newsletter – look right!).
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.
