Unknown's avatar

About viviennelingard

I am an artist and writer. I have been an an art teacher and as an illustrator of children's books. I love writing, whether fiction or non-fiction, and have written many short stories. I am also a keen reader and write book reviews, among other art related articles on my blog site – viviennelingard.net

Things that fall

Final image

I’ve spoken often about how I love to go walking in my neighbourhood, and I didn’t let the previous night’s storm put me off. It was still blowing furiously yesterday when I took off, cap on under my red jacket hood. Sunglasses too, to keep the wind and salt air out. The debris on the footpath had me stop at the end of the block, and there I stooped to uplift a fine collection of fallen goods. I picked up a large leaf, (from a magnolia I guessed), two small pōhutukawa leaves sporting radiant autumn colours, a seed of some sort and a small feijoa. Feijoas are loved and disliked in equal number here. I love them. To eat, one should slice them in half and scoop out the middle with a teaspoon, But this fallen delicacy was way too small to eat.

Continue reading

A lull in proceedings

For all my excitement about my new novel, and tripping about to speak at book stores etc., I admit the busyness over the past few weeks has seen me flop on my bed for ‘Nana Naps’ most afternoons, my thoughts of sketching lost in dreams.

However, I woke feeling fresh this morning (ye ha!) and made a start on sketching three small figs on a saucer, before taking off to walk by the sea. So lovely with the hint of autumn in the air and tui going crazy in the trees.

My batteries were re-charged.

Continue reading

Interesting times

This is a peek of bookseller with books, and wine.

This past week has been rather exceptional, and yes, I am still talking books. My book launch went well, with a good crowd out to support me, and Paradox Books, through whom I am selling my book locally. My old friend Liz, from Melbourne, introduced me and spoke about knowing me from age fourteen. She spoke so well, and was kind, as she’d promised. Then it was up to me to read a passage from my book. Fortunately I love reading aloud, and enjoyed this bit very much. Then came the feeling of being a little bit famous, as there was a queue for me to sign books. I would have posted a shot of me, but decided this image was better.

Continue reading

I just had to show you this

DustyShelves Book Reviews and BookBits

I apologise for the lack of posts and comments on others posts. The intention has been to write about something other than THAT book (a sketch for a change perhaps?), but truly it’s a topic I can’t get rid of, just yet. I’ve yet to prepare words for a speech, and practice reading a passage aloud for the book for the launch this coming Thursday, and also be part of the gang creating canapés for the occasion. Boy, have I been stressed! Even my usual bubble-bath soak hasn’t rid me of my anxiousness. And then, last Thursday I received the first review of Mrs Forsythe by Terry Toner from Dusty Shelves. (See image above).

Continue reading

Books and more books

Last week I put up a new page on my WordPress site about my books. I have yet to flesh it out, with links to reviews and the like, but take a look, I am open to advice.

This week I received cartons filled with my new book, Mrs Forsythe, and then a different kind of busyness began. My publicist had sent me a list of reviewers I was to send copies to, so they could read it and make fabulous comments (I hope!). Every part in publishing a novel takes time, and wrapping and addressing each book is just part of that process.

Continue reading

The wheel turns slowly

If you’ve ever written a book and wish to see it published I am not about to deliver false hope about how easy it is. Naturally the writing comes first; or perhaps I should begin with the writing courses you may embark on as you shape and refine your skills. My creative writing study (for want of a better description) began after I’d scratched out the beginning of a first novel. I used those fifty pages to apply for a Masters in Creative Writing, and the opportunity to complete a novel draft. I was accepted, and got the degree, but that was just the start.

Continue reading

The things we do

It’s been a very busy time with family staying (there were many spread over the weeks), and me working on promotional material for my novel throughout to meet the publicist’s deadlines. But there were nice moments, like drinking Prosecco on the patio with family. It was a brother-in-law who spotted the clay forms clumped on the outside table, and said “what are these?” “You may well ask? I replied. “I made them years ago, as part of my teaching degree.” I was a late starter regarding my education, and began this, my first degree, at fifty. And although I had been tutoring art to adult students for years before this, I decided to give academia a go.

Continue reading

The new year is shaping up well

Sculpture park 14 Dec

Yep, that’s me on my birthday (Covid positive day) looking every bit the rag doll I felt. I love this photo my daughter took, which resembles a still for a film I think. See, Kerry is there reading the script and feeding me cues! Fortunately I have come out the other side, and most pleased with myself. The main reason being is that I received the first proofs from the printers for my novel Mrs Forsythe not long after this photo was taken!

Continue reading

And what a week it was!

Family group

It began well. Kerry and I flew to Melbourne for a couple of days so we could attend a special event. My son and family live there, and so we met for dinner in the CBD soon after arrival. I was so pleased Gelato was suggested after the hot spicy dishes. The ice cream was so delicious I could have eaten two. A quick catchup with Kerry’s granddaughter and baby great-grandson the next day, and back into the city to prepare for the event, which was a large gathering of friends and family to celebrate the life of a dear friend.

Continue reading

No final painting but there is this

La Femme au Bain by René-Xavier Prinet, around 1888

The final class was cut short, as we were to be given a talk about the painting by Charles Goldie, which is where the classes began. To recap, we were handed a copy of the painting and were asked to copy it. But what I never realised until this talk was, that Goldie had copied his La Femme au Bain, from an original, for on the bottom of the painting it reads ‘after’ René-Xavier Prinet. Both artists studied at the Académie Julian in Paris around the same time. So, I had made a copy of a copy. I didn’t know what to think. I guess seeing both men could certainly paint, I must have learned something through close observation.

Continue reading