Reviews

Georgia O'Keeffe: A Life by Roxana Robinson

amybethharrison's review against another edition

4.0

In high school a friend bought this book for me at a used book sale. It's a really great biography, and it made a large impression on me as a teenager wanting to be an artist. I was especially inspired by the artist's struggle to find a place for herself in art at a time when the only thing it was thought a female artist could be is a teacher.
Georgia O'Keefe is one of those artists that you are not supposed to like, but I don't care, I love her art. It is an incredible artist who can make flowers look wild and skulls illuminating. Robinson's descriptions of O'Keefe's art helped me realize this.

brughiera's review against another edition

5.0

I read this book in preparation for a visit to Santa Fe and New Mexico- Georgia O'Keeffe heartland. Subsequently I travelled to New York and the book gave me a new understanding of O'Keeffe's nature, why she painted what she did when she did and her need to breathe in the open skies of New Mexico. Ms Robinson carefully illustrates how O'Keeffe's background and upbringing nourished her independent spirit and led to her individualistic artistic development which was nourished and nurtured by Steiglitz. She renders credible the very real affection the two shared, anchored in their professional artistic interests and strong enough to survive very different temperaments and other interests - O'Keeffe's for wide open spaces, solitude and travel, Steiglitz's for family, friends, New York and Lake George. By the time Steiglitz passed away, Georgia O'Keeffe was a mature and even famous artist well able to settle and paint where she chose, which was her beloved New Mexico. Ms Robinson shows that although O'Keeffe was content and at peace in her new home and enjoyed extensive travel and the company of local people and friends, the tension and companionship of her relationship with Steiglitz was missing. The final, eventually sorry relationship with Juan Hamilton, who controlled access to her in her very old age and abused her trust is a sad end to what was a long and fruitful life of a woman who essentially lived and painted as she wished.

skylerhill's review against another edition

4.0

Turns out, I don’t enjoy biographies that are this detailed, but I have to give the author credit—it is well-written and very well-researched. That said, it was a bit too dense for me. 7.75/10.

read_all_nite's review against another edition

4.0

I have spent more than a few lazy summer afternoons sitting on the mesas at Ghost Ranch gazing at Pedernal and soaking in the history of the place, so I am delighted to report that this book fulfilled my every desire of getting to know Georgia O'Keefe better. She is a complex character, and a remarkable woman--an artist who could have easily been overshadowed by Stieglitz, she conquered the art world.

Yes, her work has become exposed to the point of being trite, but her artistic accomplishments for a woman artist in the early to mid 20th century are amazing. And she was such a crusty old character. Love her even more for having read this book.

curlygruene's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

hnkuchera's review against another edition

3.0

It really would have been nice to see illustrations of the images referenced, but after reading the entire book, I understand why they weren't or couldn't be used! I learned a lot about Georgia O'Keeffe that I didn't know and took away a greater appreciation for her standing up to the "norms" of her day.

ajpeyton's review against another edition

informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

4.0

Something about this book drew me in, and I couldn’t put it down.  The description of the paintings? The unique way O’Keeffe handled her relationships? If you want an in-depth look at the details of her life, this book is for you. 

amaliaashley's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

dannyr's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

weebit's review against another edition

Not bad by any means, but perhaps a bit too long and detailed for my needs. More a chronological account of her life than anything with specific aim of teaching or a through line.