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
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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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
