I remember hearing somewhere that an author hasn’t truly “arrived” until their stories inspire fan art.
Of course, I’ve also heard “arrived” equated to unpleasant things like finding signed copies of your novel at Goodwill, getting a one-star review, or being hit with a frivolous lawsuit–but this is WAY more fun!
When I first started writing Olivia Rutherford, my artist character in Where the Fire Falls, I knew little about watercolor painting. It took extensive research to make her experiences of painting in Yosemite National Park feel authentic and by the time the book was finished, some of Olivia’s watercolors were so imprinted on my imagination I could see them when I shut my eyes. I often wished they could also “come to life” on paper.
I never dreamed that a reader might actually make this happen.
The artist prefers to remain unnamed, but his wife maintains the excellent book review blog, The Christian Fiction Girl. She wrote a heartfelt review of Where the Fire Falls, and then encouraged her husband to read the book, as well. He was pulled in by the descriptions of Olivia’s artwork and decided to re-create one of the paintings described in the novel.
This watercolor shows Yosemite’s Half Dome at sunset, with character Clark Johnson in the foreground. He’s standing on the porch of the old Glacier Point Hotel (that unfortunately burned down in 1969). It’s amazing for me to think that an old black and white photo first helped me imagine Olivia’s painting, and then the novel’s description–in turn–inspired this reader’s creation. Do you think the original photographer could have guessed how many forms his image would take?
Here is my reader’s watercolor painting, complete with Olivia’s passion for bright colors and broad strokes.
“I know you’re back there.” Clark’s voice carried like a gentle touch through the evening air.
“Don’t you dare move.” She outlined his broad shoulders and the rakish angle of his hat, filling in the shadowy image with Payne’s gray and indigo. The sun’s radiance still played off the summit in the distance, the details in the granite exposed by the long reddish rays blending light and shadow.
“Please tell me I won’t be here all night.”
“Shh.” Olivia’s breathing slowed, releasing her fingers to capture the image before the moment was completely gone. The framing of the porch provided the scene with much-needed boundaries, and Clark—well, Clark gave it life.
Warmth rushed through her at the thought. She’d known the man only a week, but he was already framing her thoughts in much the same way. She’d not known what was missing in her life. It was too much like that great view—terrifying freedom and no focus.
Where the Fire Falls: A Vintage National Parks Novel (pp. 135-136), Karen Barnett.
The artist is planning to do a similar painting for the first book in the series, The Road to Paradise, but he’s still considering which scene to portray. I wonder which one he’ll choose? Do you have any suggestions?
As an added bonus, he sent me some images he made of my little buddy, RangerBear. Aren’t they adorable? This is for everyone who keeps telling me that RangerBear needs his own children’s books. It’s not currently on my agenda, but now I can picture how cute the artwork could be!
Have you ever wished you could paint a scene in a novel you’ve read? Which one would it be?
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Christian Fiction Girl and her artistic husband. Isn’t it wonderful how readers can turn around and inspire the writers they enjoy?
