I was asked if I could work on a cover book, unexpectedly, ...I thought what a great opportunity to work on something different! I agreed, we met to discuss the details. I'll be honest at first, I thought I will not be able to do it, but at the same time I love a challenge. I took it and I took the time to think how would it look and what the painting will convey.
Here is why the person who commissioned his book cover wanted to work with me and about the result of it, in his own words:
"I met Victoria at a friend’s dinner party. When she told me that she was an artist, I asked if I could see her work. I was immediately struck by her still lifes of fruits and vegetables. I’m always amazed when an artist can represent a common object (onion, lemon, pear) and make me feel a strong emotion about it. Generally, when I see a pear in normal life, I don’t have an emotional response, but when I saw Victoria’s painting of a pear, I was moved. I’m not sure why I felt this way, but I did.
I’m not an art expert, but I really appreciate Victoria’s use of texture. When I look at her paintings, I want to run my hands over them (but I don’t!). The paint jumps off the canvas. I’m also really inspired by her use of light. Again, I’m not sure how she does it, but it’s really amazing to see how the different sides of the fruit or vegetable are illuminated, some with shade, some with light, some with shade and light.
But my favourite of Victoria’s work are her portraits. They have such depth. When I look at the faces that she paints, I feel like the painting is looking back at me. It feels alive. She is really skilled at capturing a sombre facial expression.
I recently wrote a novel about the American Civil War, and I asked Victoria if she would do a painting related to my book. I gave her a summary of the story and some pictures of the historical characters that appear in the novel. My story is about a cavalry officer that had thirteen horses shot out from underneath him. Victoria painted a picture of a horse that deeply moved me. She was able to express the great sadness of the deaths of these horses. I felt more connected to the horses in my book. I saw the emotional lives of the horses in a way that I had not yet experienced. I submitted Victoria’s painting to my publisher, and I am really hoping that they use it as the cover art."