Welcome to my fun Q&A where you’ll discover new things about some of our favourite authors. I’m delighted to welcome the very talented D.M. Cameron to my blog series that celebrates an art form other than creating beautiful books — and that’s painting.
As my latest novel is a love story about a sitter and a reluctant artist, I’m into all things arty right now. I hope you like this … my Portrait of An Author.
Welcome D.M.,
Q: As pose and composition are important factors for a portrait, choose what kind of ‘look’ would you like for your portrait.
- On a chaise lounge (Kate Winslet/Titanic style)
- Fully clothed in a rocker (Whistler’s Mother style)
- A close up of your face (Girl with the Pearl Earring style/Mona Lisa)
- In all your formal finery befitting your ‘authorly’ status (Regal style)
- Other
A: Other – Maybe a Gustav Klimt type of portrait with pretty colours and angles…
Q: *Snap* I just took your photo as a reference for my portrait of you. Tell us where you are and what you’re wearing. (Be honest.)
A: In front of my computer in my pyjamas.
Q: Given a choice, what precious item would you want to be included in a portrait of you?
A: My debut novel…pretty precious to me at present as it has only been out a few weeks and I still like touching it and holding it.
Q: With acquired savant syndrome* featuring in my next novel, I’m curious . . . If you were to wake up from a coma one day to find yourself totally obsessed and a genius (in something other than writing, of course) what would you want it to be? (music, painting, languages, maths, touching your toes while typing, etc)
A: A singer. I can’t sing but I love singing. My whole life people have politely asked me to stop singing. I am that bad, I was even kicked out of the school choir.
Q: If you happened to wake up one day and be a genius with a paintbrush, whose portrait would you want to paint and why?
A: Joseph Campbell. The knowledge this man held seems infinite. His work and consequent belief system changed my life.
Q: Your preferred medium would be?
- Oil on canvas
- Watercolour
- Pencil/Ink
- Pastels
- Kiddy crayons
A: Watercolour
Picasso once asked the question: “Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?” In my next novel, the artists says to 58 y.o Ava, “A mature person has depth of character and it’s their layers, built from life’s lessons that interest me the most—when wisdom replaces curiosity and experience replaces youthful exuberance.”
Q: What two traits would you hope an artist captures in a portrait of you?
A: My sense of wonder and joy.
Q: Because every fireplace deserves a portrait, in whose house would you hang a portrait of you as a surprise and what would they say?
A: One of my favourite Australian authors – probably Tim Winton. He would say – ‘Who the hell is that?’
Q: Keeping in mind that lucky recipient of your portrait, how would see yourself framed?
- Minimalist or no frame at all – just the canvas (take me as I am)
- Modernist – chrome, nothing too fancy
- Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
- Flamboyant – go all the way and gilt edged!
A: Sophisticated – warm, wood, old world
Q: Finally, if someone was to add a plaque/title your portrait, how would it read?
A: She lived to write.
And write she has. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Originally an actress, debut novelist, D.M. Cameron, is an AWGIE nominated radio dramatist, award winning playwright and celebrated short film writer. She received funding to begin work on her first novel and was then selected for a Varuna Litlink residency to further develop this initial draft into what became ‘Beneath the Mother Tree’ – published by MidnightSun Publishing. Donna is currently at work on a second novel and taking notes for a third.
https://www.instagram.com/dmcameronwriter/
https://www.facebook.com/DMCameronWriter/
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Now… Before you go, I have some more author portraits to celebrate the release of my 5th novel, available in print and ebook (worldwide).
Check out my Book Room for info about A Place to Remember.
*Acquired savant syndrome, in which a person acquires prodigious capabilities or skills following dementia, a head injury or concussion, epilepsy or other disturbances.