Q&A with Lucie Smoker about Distortion discussion

Good morning everyone! Thanks for joining this chat about DISTORTION. I want to encourage y'all to ask away today. Also, I'm interested in your feedback and comments.

To start off, let's talk art. When I first read about reverse perspective, I knew it was the perfect art technique to use in a mystery. The idea of making the background larger plays so well with an investigation. By making Adele a portraitist, I was able to stretch the idea further to put forth the idea that a person truly is defined by their effect on the world around them--the world behind them in Adele's portrait.

How did that come off? Could you "see" the paintings in your mind? Did you enjoy painting along with the artist?

I'm teaching this morning but will check in each hour or two to respond to your questions.

With warm regards,

Lucie

I saw some examples of reverse perspective art a few months ago, have you found any other links? I am a visual learner!

Hi Lucie- I'm going to try and read a few chapters of your book today, I've been so busy! I should have lots of questions by the 11th though:)

Thanks, Rowena and Carmel! I did get sent some images by another artist with an interest in reverse perspective a while back. She's also in London where the technique is possibly spurred on by Patrick Hughes. Here's the link I was sent:

"Maciej Hoffman Shows Reverse Perspective at Embracing Our Differences"
http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/...

and here's my fave of her paintings online, which does demonstrate the use of reverse perspective:
http://www.absolutearts.com/cgi-bin/p...

There's also a new tower (public art) in London that sports two mirros which create a reverse perspective image of the viewer:
https://www.google.com/search?q=+Arce...

I'm off to work now, but will be back tomorrow morning to answer any questions. Have a great read!

Thanks - I found the Wikipedia entry on Patrick Hughes's Venice painting to be most helpful in showing the 3D aspect of the technique.

So far I've only read 3 chapters and I'm liking it so far! I really like Adele. I guess I don't know much about art and I was quite fascinated by Adele's compulsion to paint the deceased skateboarder. I know I sometimes write to get things off my chest, I never really considered artists would do the same with their art

I was also wondering whether you're also an artist, Lucie. I love how you describe colour.

I am planning on reading more tonight so I'll be back with my questions and thoughts later:)

I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Rowena, I'm not an artist but do sometimes paint for fun. I spent much of my life living and working with artists so I've maybe picked up a bit, but I claim no expertise.

I do have a lot of respect for the artists' mindset. Media dominance has made our world too focused on logical, but shallow thinking. What if we switched around to deeper FEELING when making our decisions-- or solving crime?

Carmel wrote: "Thanks - I found the Wikipedia entry on Patrick Hughes's Venice painting to be most helpful in showing the 3D aspect of the technique."

I love his art.

And one of the best moments lately was when Patrick Hughes asked for a copy of DISTORTION.

I'm beginning to understand the reverse perspective a bit better now and I must say, what a genius idea to incorporate that into the mystery:)

I've been really busy and haven't read as much of the book as I'd have liked but the more I read it, the more I like Addie. She is so real and probably someone a lot of women can relate to in some way or another.

There was a quote I found interesting, can't remember if it was said by Addie or by Blake but whoever it was said that pain sells. Very interesting. And I'm finding many parallels between art and writing.

FYI, I don't trust either Greg or Blake but I'm crossing my fingers for Addie and Blake :)

Lucie wrote: "I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Rowena, I'm not an artist but do sometimes paint for fun. I spent much of my life living and working with artists so I've maybe picked up a bit, but I claim no exp..."

This is a wonderful thought:)

Lucie wrote: "And one of the best moments lately was when Patrick Hughes asked for a copy of DISTORTION."

Wow, congratulations! Soon you'll be able to travel around Canada signing your books ;)

Rowena, if I go to Canada, I'll sign your book first!

Rowena wrote: There was a quote I found interesting ... "Pain sells."

I once heard someone say that at a gallery and it just stuck in my mind. That was many years ago. I think sometimes writing is more about taking dictation from the planet.

Thanks, y"all for joining my first-ever chat.. I appreciate your interest in the book and hope we can do this again soon.