The Memories That Make Us is a delightful romance story. Meet the author. Vanessa and I are on a mission to bring the ‘lost memory’ story back into fashion!!
Q: Vanessa,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?
I’d say 3, or a variation on 1 where I’m lying on a hammock on the beach in the Maldives reading a book, living the perfect life in a place that quite literally, feels like paradise. (I visited the Maldives on my honeymoon and would so very much love to go back again one day. Maybe for my portrait!)
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.)
I’m sitting in the alfresco with a cup of tea, enjoying the gorgeous sunshine, and a gentle breeze. I’m wearing a t-shirt, comfy pants, and my hair is pulled into a messy bun. Totally glamorous!
Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?
I don’t tend to have strong attachments to things (though I do love teacups, and of course books) so I’m not really sure! Does a smile count? In all honesty, I’d probably be more concerned with choosing the perfect background for it. Somewhere beautiful and relaxing. Maybe by a lake in a beautiful garden setting or something!
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)
I really wish I hadn’t given up piano lessons when I was a young girl. I should have listened to my mum! I’d also love to be able to paint watercolour (like Mia in The Florentine Bridge) so it would be either one of those things. One day I’d really like to do some watercolour classes. I find painting to be very relaxing, and helpful for my creativity.
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?
Oprah’s! I love her and find her and a lot of the guests she interviews very inspiring. Could you imagine the conversation one could have with Oprah while working on her portrait?! Yes, I’d definitely love spending time with Oprah. After I do my painting lessons of course. In case the genius thing doesn’t happen.
Q: Your preferred medium would be?
- Oil on canvas
- Watercolour
- Pencil/Ink
- Pastels
- Kiddy crayons
Watercolour! I love the gentleness and fluidity of it. I follow Melbourne artist, Louise De Masi on social media (I have a few of her botanical prints in my study) and she makes it look so easy.
Q: 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?
I can’t wait to read this book! What a lovely line. This is such an original question that has given me much to think about. I think our eyes say a lot about us, and I’m quite the dreamer, so I’d probably be gazing up at the clouds thinking about my next book. I also like to think I have a lot of love to give, and love is precious, so somehow, maybe the amazing artist might find a way to convey that, too. And of course, I’d want it to radiate happiness, too.
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?
Probably my mum’s because she’s the only one who would probably get excited by it!
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!
Sophisticated! (Looks at her t-shirt and comfy pants! Ha!) Really, I chose this one for the warm, wood, and old world qualities. That feels like a good fit for me.
Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plague/title your portrait, how would it read?
A: Just my name would do!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Vanessa Carnevale is a freelance writer and novelist who has contributed to The Green Parent, The Huffington Post, Muse, and Italy magazine, among others. Her debut novel, The Florentine Bridge, was published by MIRA in Australia in 2017. She was a finalist in the Best New Author category for the AusRom Today Readers Choice Awards 2017. She lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
When not writing, Vanessa loves to travel and often finds inspiration for her stories in locations outside her hometown of Melbourne. She is also the creator and host of Your Beautiful Writing Life retreats held in Australia and Tuscany, Italy. She loves tea, and flowers, and often dreams of escaping to the country.
YOU CAN PURCHASE A COPY OF The Memories That Make Us here. (http://bit.ly/2neuMb1)
Connect with Vanessa on her website: www.vanessacarnevale.com or Facebook www.facebook.com/vanessacarnevalewriter
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Now… Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel (ebook now available) and print on March 19 in Australia/NZ and April 5 overseas.
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.