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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
The writing is plain at times even a hindrance. Nevertheless one comes away with a greater understanding of who Georgia O'Keeffe was and a profound admiration for her devotion to art. I had not realized that female artists were unheard of, nor the difficulty of some of the choices and sacrifices she made to be an artist. I came away with a certain distaste for her husband. I may now look at books which focus on Ghost Ranch or the later period of her life. Bottom line: worth reading for the amount of information it contains but it could have been a more enjoyable read had it been better written.
Fully researched, unvarnished journey of Georgia O'Keeffe's amazing talent, life with Stieglitz, her travels, family, quotes, triumphs, annoyances and inspirations. Well worth reading, best account of her life available. Highly recommend.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
O’Keeffe was the consummate “artist” and any characterization could easily have been stiff and stereotypical, but not here. Lisle, more often than not, was able to pry open that guarded, introverted, almost misanthropic oyster that was Georgia O’Keeffe and gift us all with a fleeting glimpse of the pearl inside.
As a biographer, Laurie Lisle can be informative, enlightening, and engaging—though almost never all at the same time. Her composition, as good as it is, left me with half as many questions as answers. The ending, for example, was strangely abrupt; it concluded with, almost literally, “…and then Georgia died. The End.” There was no introspection, no reflection, and very little room for remorse. I had the sense that this biographical endeavor had taken an exhausting toll on her and she was anxious to put it behind her. That’s all speculation on my part, of course, but there is no sense of closure here. ‘Portrait of an Artist’ ends where Georgia O’Keeffe ends—concluded but oddly unresolved.
Original review written August 3, 2022
________________________________________
Update: October 20, 2022
It turns out that this biography was originally published during Georgia O’Keeffe’s lifetime. An “updated edition” (reviewed above) was released after the artist passed away with add-on material that may or may not have been written by the author. This explains the oddly abrupt final chapter and why, in the interest of fairness, I have bumped up my rating to four stars.
As a biographer, Laurie Lisle can be informative, enlightening, and engaging—though almost never all at the same time. Her composition, as good as it is, left me with half as many questions as answers. The ending, for example, was strangely abrupt; it concluded with, almost literally, “…and then Georgia died. The End.” There was no introspection, no reflection, and very little room for remorse. I had the sense that this biographical endeavor had taken an exhausting toll on her and she was anxious to put it behind her. That’s all speculation on my part, of course, but there is no sense of closure here. ‘Portrait of an Artist’ ends where Georgia O’Keeffe ends—concluded but oddly unresolved.
Original review written August 3, 2022
________________________________________
Update: October 20, 2022
It turns out that this biography was originally published during Georgia O’Keeffe’s lifetime. An “updated edition” (reviewed above) was released after the artist passed away with add-on material that may or may not have been written by the author. This explains the oddly abrupt final chapter and why, in the interest of fairness, I have bumped up my rating to four stars.
The writing is plain at times even a hindrance. Nevertheless one comes away with a greater understanding of who Georgia O'Keeffe was and a profound admiration for her devotion to art. I had not realized that female artists were unheard of, nor the difficulty of some of the choices and sacrifices she made to be an artist. I came away with a certain distaste for her husband. I may now look at books which focus on Ghost Ranch or the later period of her life. Bottom line: worth reading for the amount of information it contains but it could have been a more enjoyable read had it been better written.
A very solid biography, that is thoroughly researched. Lisle portrays Georgia as someone who always knew who she was and what she wanted, in her uncompromising desire to create art. Georgia's early life in Wisconsin, her years teaching in Texas, and her relationship with Stieglitz are described in great detail, along with her relationships with family and friends.
I especially enjoyed hearing about Georgia's process. The way she would become inspired to paint, but bring such organization to her painting. She kept careful notes for color mixing and her attention to detail in all things was legendary. She had a prickly personality, and a big one.
I especially enjoyed hearing about Georgia's process. The way she would become inspired to paint, but bring such organization to her painting. She kept careful notes for color mixing and her attention to detail in all things was legendary. She had a prickly personality, and a big one.
There is much to admire about Georgia O' Keefe. At a time when women were expected to fall into their roles as wives and mothers, O'Keefe was her own person. She lived life on her own terms, and didn't care who didn't like it. Great biography!!
informative
slow-paced
Non-fiction
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I think I've had this on my shelf for ten years. (I'm talking my first Overdrive Account at the Buffalo Library.) I like learning about historic figures from different walks of life.
Will I read more by about this subject? Probably NotMaybe Definitely
Georgia O'Keeffe was a talented and pioneering woman, but I don't think I would like to meet her, which is good because she wouldn't care about me. She sounds like a typical pompous artist and the author was condescending and uppity as well. At times O'Keeffe wanted to be part of the common people, but she treated them like servants and was rude to most of the rich society people who wanted to know her.
The narrator was Grace Conlin. She read the book well.
Source: Los Angeles Library
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I think I've had this on my shelf for ten years. (I'm talking my first Overdrive Account at the Buffalo Library.) I like learning about historic figures from different walks of life.
Will I read more by about this subject? Probably Not
Georgia O'Keeffe was a talented and pioneering woman, but I don't think I would like to meet her, which is good because she wouldn't care about me. She sounds like a typical pompous artist and the author was condescending and uppity as well. At times O'Keeffe wanted to be part of the common people, but she treated them like servants and was rude to most of the rich society people who wanted to know her.
The narrator was Grace Conlin. She read the book well.
Source: Los Angeles Library
informative
medium-paced
This is an in-depth biography of Georgia O'keeffe's life, from her family's background through her whole artistic career. This biography mostly glosses over her life past her late 60s.
I enjoy art but I am by no means an art enthusiast and I am not artistically talented at all. So I knew Georgia O'keeffe was a famous artist at a time when women weren't recognized for much and that she painted flowers and the southwestern landscape. I found this biography interesting, mostly because Georgia was an interesting person. I like that she was a woman who did her own thing but not sure I think of her as a particularly good person. Although the book was dry at times I learned a lot and had fun looking up some of the highlighted paintings.
I enjoy art but I am by no means an art enthusiast and I am not artistically talented at all. So I knew Georgia O'keeffe was a famous artist at a time when women weren't recognized for much and that she painted flowers and the southwestern landscape. I found this biography interesting, mostly because Georgia was an interesting person. I like that she was a woman who did her own thing but not sure I think of her as a particularly good person. Although the book was dry at times I learned a lot and had fun looking up some of the highlighted paintings.