Drawing Lessons

Drawing Lessons is tantalizing! Author Patricia Sands paints exquisite word pictures that takes her readers through the emotional journey of Arianna's life. She has lived a fabulous life up until the last few years when her husband & soulmate Ben developed dementia. She once was an accomplished artist and she decides to take a class in France to renew her interest and hopefully renew her spirits as well. She is joined together with other artists who are craving to improve their craft under the careful tutelage of several gifted artists. The group is very diversified with people from the US, Canada and England and they all have very different backgrounds for their art skills. Sands takes readers on a phenomenal adventure as she tells the stories of these artists coming together, finding common ground, encouraging one another and forging friendships for a lifetime! They begin to see how the gorgeous areas of France - the flora, fauna, food, culture, history, and people - influence art past and present. Sands' superlative descriptions will have you feeling as though you're seeing the breathtaking sights of flamingos flying over iridescent marshes, seeing the beautiful old buildings and natural scenery that Van Gogh painted and tasting all of the gastronomic delights at each meal or snack. I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Be ready for a magical trip that will take you to find "new light that old ties cannot give," as promised in the epigraph. Be ready to go to distant places where you will find new friends, but, most important, your true self. This is what Arianna, the protagonist of Drawing Lessons, sets out to do. It is not an easy journey, and there are ups and downs – to be expected – but in all, it is a rewarding experience for her and for her readers.The train is a powerful symbol, as it takes her stage by stage, but inexorably, to a new landscape and to new beginnings – from Toronto, Canada, to Arles, France; from her old and known life to a new unknown future; from love and sadness to discovery and joy; from having lived in black and white to adding colors to her life; from her home and family to fellow artists at a retreat. On the train, the window beside her is "wide and surprisingly clear” – which echoes her current bittersweet feelings. And it is on the train where Arianna starts to draw again, tentatively, until by the end of her artistic journey, and with the help of her new artist friends and new surroundings, she finds her voice and her true vocation. After all, as Jacques de Villeneuve, a crucial new character, tells the students, “There is no doubt that art is therapeutic for the spirit.”We see everything through the protagonist’s eyes, as she is learning how to really see. Along with the drawing lessons at the retreat, Arianna helps us “taste colors”; watch unbelievable sunsets and landscapes that offer a kaleidoscope of color; hear sounds that are comforting songs and gentle buzzes of bees; smell earthy smells of the herbs and the freshness of the air. And let us not forget the superb food, described in such detail it makes us urgently hungry. All this adds up to a true orchestration of the senses.We get to know all the secondary characters, her fellow artists and their teacher, in depth, and they add to our delight as we read about their adventures together. Her new friends also help Arianna on this voyage, and on her new endeavor. They and the places depicted are all linked by the characters' joy of painting and drawing, and by their reverence for Vincent van Gogh, a “ghost” who haunts the landscape where he lived, painted, and became sick. His paintings become alive in our eyes. We are there too, with them, enjoying this wonderful adventure, for which we have to give the author, Patricia Sands, our heartfelt thanks!

MY REVIEW OF "DRAWING LESSONS" by Patricia SandsI just had an emotional journey as I finish "Drawing Lessons" by Patricia Sands. The genres of this novel are Fiction and Women's Fiction, with a touch of Romance.The story takes place in Canada and in the South of France, where the author provides a detailed view of the gorgeous colorful landscape and scenery, and provides a sensory image of the feel, taste, touch, smell and sights of the region. It is a perfect place for an artist or painter to enjoy the spectacular views. The timeline of the story is in the present.The characters are described as sensitive, creative, loving, and caring.The situations that the characters face are complicated, complex and distressing. Ariana faces each day as if looking at a blank canvas, and sees everything in black, gray and white. Ariana, now 62 once had the passion to be an artist. As she watches her beloved husband Ben, slip into the cruel world of dementia, Ariana hopelessly stands by. Her family encourages Ariana to go to the Southern part of France, and found herself through Art.Ariana does meet new friends, and has new experiences, and as the short time passes is in the process of creating and accepting a new life for herself.I appreciate that the author describes dementia, and how devastating at first it is to the patient, and family members. How incredibly frustrating and sad it is to see the person you love physically be present, but no longer emotionally aware, I also love the way the author discusses the importance of family support, friends, love, and hope. I also like the way the author describes individual growth and acceptance to live life. I would recommend this story for readers who look to see the positive in life, when there is negative. I received a copy of this ARC for my honest review.Amazon