As anyone who has read A Matter of Chance knows, Elizabeth Gardiner (Bennet) is an artist–a watercolour artist to be specific. So, why did I pick watercolour and whose art did I use as inspiration when I described her work? Honestly, I used my own.
It was easiest as she painted to describe how I might go about creating one of my paintings. My watercolours aren’t typical of the medium by any means, but I enjoy them and my watercolour instructor often praised my work whether I used a typical watercolour style or my own darker one.
When Darcy attends Lizzy’s show, we know his internal impressions of Lizzy’s work. Those were from a description of my watercolour instructor used for a still life I had to paint early in her first class. It was a simple monochromatic arrangement, but I was always happy with how it turned out–especially the wine bottle! It had been years since I had really painted and I was so excited to be doing it again. That semester, I had to paint several compositions dictated by the instructor, but I discovered when I tried the landscape that I was better at it than I thought. I assumed it would be terrible (I’m not completely happy with all of the background, but I was really happy with most of it). Then, we were allowed to finish the class with two paintings from any genre, and I chose landscapes for those as well. This was how I discovered that I enjoyed painting landscapes, which is why Lizzy enjoys landscapes.
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- Manchac Reflections
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- Jourdan River Reflections
I wish I could say that I’ve painted Chatsworth as I had Lizzy paint Pemberley. I did start one, but it wasn’t working. I have yet to attempt it again. Instead, I have mostly painted scenes involving water and usually at sunrise or sunset. I enjoy the effect of the lack of light on the scene–much like the Impressionists.
Bay
The cover of A Matter of Chance is one of mine as well, along with my palette and paintbrushes. The scene is from a picture of the beach in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. I do not know if it is sunrise or sunset, but I adored the picture and wanted to paint it. It’s one of my favourite works so far.
When I have the time to break out my palette, add a bit of water to the dried pigments already there and add a few dabs of new paint, I can lose myself for a period of time. Music is almost essential but it’s one of the most relaxing things I can do. I love it! It’s even better when I can combine it with my writing!
This was the last landscape I finished while pursuing my art degree. It’s one of my other favourites!
Do you have a favourite artist? Degas, Botticelli, DaVinci, Van Gogh?
L.L. Diamond 
Wow, Leslie, I love your work! I find that the artist has to do something pretty special to impress me in the softer-style watercolours, as I prefer something bolder. I know very little about art, only what I like, which tends to be eclectic! Of course, I like some of the classics by artists like you’ve listed above. For a favourite artist, I think I’d have to say Michelangelo, for his sculpture. The fine detail in the Pieta in St. Peter’s, the way the original David is lit and such a shock/surprise when you turn the corner, both took me aback at first sight. I had real physical reactions: goosebumps, shortness of breath, tears in my eyes, hair on my neck on end. I also shed tears for the damage to the Pieta. I also admire that he was a painter and architect, too, and architecture is a great deal of the art i admire. Thanks for sharing not only your own art, but the art and architecture in your books and in your blog!
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I want to much to see the Pieta!!! (If I remember correctly, it was like the only work Michelangelo actually signed. So cool!) I do know the feeling you mean though. I’ve had that goosebump and teary feeling twice, but it was never over what I expected. Once was a Caillebotte’s Paris Street on a Rainy Day that’s at the Art Institute of Chicago. I always liked it, but something about it when I caught sight of it. Perhaps because I’d been anticipating going inside the Impressionist exhibit at the Art Institute for so long. It is now one of my favourite Impressionist works. It didn’t rank so highly before. (My husband asked me if I was crying and I looked at him like he was crazy and said “NO!”)
The other was walking into the section of the British Museum with the Elgin Marbles. It was just outside where they’ve taken bits to recreate a small temple, but just so amazing. I wish they did at least consider Connelly’s interpretation of the Parthenon frieze though! It makes so much more sense than the older interpretation!
Thanks, Suzan!
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