The author of the Love in Provence series returns to the South of France with a poignant portrait of a woman who must learn how to create a new life for herself… husband’s dementia and the heartbreak of watching the man she has loved for decades slip away before her eyes. What does her future hold without Ben? Before her is a blank canvas.
Encouraged by her family to take some time for herself, she has traveled to Arles to set up her easel in the same fields of poppies and sunflowers that inspired Van Gogh. Gradually, she rediscovers the inner artist she abandoned long ago. Drawing strength from the warm companionship and gentle wisdom of her fellow artists at the retreat—as well as the vitality of guest lecturer Jacques de Villeneuve, an artist and a cowboy—Arianna searches her heart for permission to embrace the life in front of her and, like the sunflowers, once again face the light.
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Honestly, there are not enough stars available to truly rate this book. Patricia Sands tells a story like no other author I have read.
We learn at the beginning of the book that the charmed life that Arianna and Ben have lived has come to a screeching halt after Ben is diagnosed with dementia at an early age. Arianna has taken care of his every need since then, almost to the point that her children and other family fear they may lose her from the sheer exhaustion (mentally and physically) of caring for Ben. Her children decide to convince her to go to France, where she spent some time during college and fell in love with the region. She gets to the 2 week artists workshop and meets many wonderful people, mostly artists, and that inspires her to start painting again. During this time of enjoying France and painting, she gets pangs of guilt because of Ben, but this time alone and away from home gives her the time and the setting to actually think about the future and what type of life is ahead of her.
Patricia Sands describes the region of France with so much richness that you will feel like you have visited there yourself. The characters are so engaging and of course, the setting is brilliant with all the descriptive details that are given. This book will take you on a journey of sadness, delight, wonder, and hope as Arianna contemplates her life while painting in the spot that Van Gogh once painted.
Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands is a beautifully written story that had me savoring every word. I am around the same age as Arianna and could relate to her feelings. Arianna was a wife, mother, artist and helped in the family restaurant. When dementia takes her husband mentally away from her, she feels lost. With her family’s support, Arianna takes an art class in Arles, France. The way Patricia describes Arles, France, the Camargue, and the other people in the art class made me feel I was in France with them. I am so intrigued about Arles, I am planning a future trip to France. The description of the food made me salivate. The story is about renewal and rediscovering yourself.
I highly recommend this book.
This is the story of Arianna and Ben, who after raising children and running a successful business are given life – changing news, Ben has been diagnosed with Dementia. Arianna has devoted her life to Ben and her family and as Ben’s condition declines, Arianna has to find who she is without Ben. At her children’s urging Arianna takes a 2 week art class in France! As the reader, we learn about the beautiful French landscape while Arianna learns about herself and her future.
This is a hard subject to read and a harder subject to write about. For me, it was very personal , my parents are dealing with this now and Patricia Sands writing gave me such insight into how Dementia affects everyone in the family.
This was my first Patricia Sands book and it will definitely not be my last!
Drawing Lessons is the first book by Patricia Sands that I’ve read and I’m totally amazed by the details, story line and emotions that are in this book.
The descriptions make me see what the characters are seeing, tasting, and feeling throughout. The emotions the story takes me through had me laughing, smiling, feeling joy and even crying with the characters.
I have throughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to dig into more.
Loved this book! Patricia Sands transports you to Provence with her writing. The descriptions of scenery and the food will take you on a mini vacay!
When Arianna’s beloved husband, Ben develops dementia, she decides to leave Canada and take part in an art retreat in France, in an effort to quell her grief and to rekindle her interest and talent for art.
She joins a very eclectic group of artists from all over the world, each of them aiming to improve their craft. And, like Arianna, each of them with their own reasons for travelling to this stunning region, south of Arles. Together, they support and encourage each other, form friendships, coax out hard-to-share stories.
Besides the opportunity to meet some memorable, strong and very human characters, I loved the way the author wove the story around the magnificent landscape, the fauna and flora, as well as the incredible historical, cultural and architectural aspects of this region; the same beautiful buildings and scenery that Van Gogh once painted. And, of course, the usual plethora of gourmet French food and wines.
Drawing Lessons is a story to lose oneself in; an emotional but wonderful escapade to the Camargue region in France as we accompany Arianna on her journey from grief to joy. Highly recommended for all Francophiles!