It's finally official. My new novel is Raphael, Painter in Rome It will be published (once again by Arcade) in April 2020 in time for the 500th anniversary of Raphael's death (he died on April 6, 1520). Raphael. Even if... Continue Reading →
In honor of Michelangelo's birthday today -- March 6th (he would be 542), I've been thinking a lot about the differences between our world and his... but I've also been thinking about the strange, striking similarities between our two eras. It's... Continue Reading →
It's so fine and yet so terrible to stand in front of a blank canvas. -- Paul Cezanne I've never had writer's block, but ever since my debut novel Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo has come out (and... Continue Reading →
I'm an art-historical novelist, so obviously I care about art. But why should you -- with your busy days, stressful job, growing kids, dinners to make, dishes to wash, and plenty of binge-able TV to keep you entertained -- care? Because... Continue Reading →
As I've been out talking about my bestselling novel (Oil and Marble, art historical fiction about the real-life rivalry between Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo), many people have asked where they can see great Renaissance art without traveling to Italy. Well... Continue Reading →
I know most people would publish this post ON Thanksgiving, but I thought of it on Thanksgiving Day and had to let the idea roast a while... So I offer you this bit of gratefulness to distract you on Cyber... Continue Reading →
My husband and I are cleaning out our condo -- getting rid of boxes and boxes of junk. (We did not read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up but still got the message: Only keep things that spark joy). As we've... Continue Reading →
I live and work in Los Angeles, a city known for sunshine, movie stars, blockbuster franchises, and reality TV. It's also a hectic city with nearly 20 million people battling it out on the freeways and Hollywood clamoring for attention... more... Continue Reading →
Writing and the visual arts may seem different, but at their hearts, they both tell stories… I have studied art my entire life: I took my first art class when I was in kindergarten (in Miss Jeannie's garage), have a... Continue Reading →
