Tag: Sources of Inspiration

Inspiration for The Peculiarity of Mr. Darcy’s Mirror

September 12th, 2022
Good morning! It’s the start of another week, and we’re that much closer to the release of Mr. Darcy’s Mirror! The preorder is now available on Amazon, so I hope you’ve clicked on the link and reserved your copy. If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out the first two chapters, I have those posted at Austen Variations!

I’m so excited for you to read what I have been stressing over. Today, we’re going to look at places in the story, most importantly Pemberley. Everyone has their own Pemberley, particularly when you travel to England and tour both Lyme Park and Chatsworth. Some love Lyme Park (Pemberley 1995) and find Chatsworth (Pemberley 2005) more of a showplace than a home (which it was), and some enjoy Chatsworth more.

Personally, I enjoyed the grounds of Lyme Park, but as an artist, I was really drawn to Chatsworth. Yes, a great deal of the tour are the rooms they decked out for royalty, but I like to think of there being a part that is more homey. I certainly wanted to curl up with a book in the library, even if I could only view it from the doorway.

Since Ellie is an art restorer, I did choose to model Pemberley after Chatsworth. When she is first introduced to the great house, she walks into an opulent Great Hall inspired by the Great Hall at Chatsworth and if you look, you’ll find other references that resemble Chatsworth–the cascade, the fountain, the Canova sculptures (like in the sculpture gallery). It was very easy seeing Ellie as an artist being overwhelmed and awed by a Pemberley so grand, yet so in need of lots of work.

Great Hall at Chatsworth
Photo by eHeritage on Pexels.com

I’ve mentioned the Palais Garnier in Paris more than once during the story, and of course, the ballroom is similar, but at the same time, not. In the foyer of the great opera house, there are mirrors lining the wall, giving the feeling that the show is as much about the audience as it is what happens on the stage. Even in Regency times, people went to the theatre to see and be seen. The Hall of Mirrors in Versailles gives a similar feeling. That same sense is what was supposed to be conveyed by this ballroom. However, in my mind, there is one mirror that is larger than the rest, and despite its age, is immaculate. No black in the mirror itself that comes with age, no layer of dust on the frame. Of course, Oliver will assume there is some on the top because how could a 250 year old mirror in a long abandoned house not be dirty? Then Ellie gets a good look at it, and the rest is in the book 😉

If you want to see more of my inspiration for The Peculiarity of Mr. Darcy’s Mirror, check out the Pinterest inspiration page.

Preorder The Peculiarity of Mr. Darcy’s Mirror by clicking below! Release day is Sept. 22nd!
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Sources of Inspiration–The Art of A Matter of Chance

March 19th, 2015
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.

Manchac Reflections

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?
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What’s in store for February!

February 3rd, 2015
February is set to be a fun month!

To start, we have the lovely Zoe Burton for Ask the Author. She is offering a copy of her e-book I Promise to… to one lucky winner, so stop by the call for questions and ask something–get your name in the bucket for a chance at that e-book!

February is a busy month over at Austen Variations as well. If you haven’t dropped by to see our facelift, then please do! I love the new look, and we timed the unveiling with our Anniversary celebration. Yes, Austen Variations is one year old, and to mark the milestone, we’re having a month-long party on the blog. Have you ever wondered what our favourite Jane Austen characters were doing one year after their marriage? Well, you can read our ideas at Austen Variations. I am writing a scene with Mr. and Mrs. Collins, which was a lot of fun to write.

Are you a Persuasion fan? Then, don’t forget Persuasion 200 at Austen Variations as well. I am contributing two posts this month to that wonderful endeavour, and I hope you’ll stop by and read my scenes and leave me a comment! (There is a blog button on the side to take you directly to the page! Go ahead and give it a click when you’re done.)

The Expat has been a bit busy lately, but she has a lot of outings planned and will be returning soon. Some locations of interest include: The Harry Potter Studio Tour (I know. Not JA, but I love HP too!), the Tower of London tour, and the British Museum. I don’t know if I will get to blogging them all this month, but I’ll definitely blog them eventually!

Lastly, my new posts, Sources of Inspiration, will take you through the Antebellum houses of A Matter of Chance. If I have time, I will also give you a sneak peek of Darcy’s estate Sagamore in An Unwavering Trust. It’s an amazing property, and I wish it was open to the public. I’d just love to be like Elizabeth Bennet for a day and ramble the grounds!

Anyway, I hope you’ll join me for a great month of Jane Austen, travel, and inspiration!

and

Happy Valentines to all of you!
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