In this epic and haunting series a young man’s life is forever changed as he embarks on a journey of love, loss and restoration.
Jack has been praised all his life for his extraordinary artistic talent and is rarely seen without his sketchpad. However, in Jack’s world art is considered a hobby – men are expected to have jobs that offer security and advancement.
Future responsibilities are far … advancement.
Future responsibilities are far from Jack’s thoughts when he travels to London to visit relatives. On the crossing, Jack’s drawings astonish a fellow artist, Margaret. Convinced of his potential, she introduces him to the Bloomsbury set, exposing him to a world where peoples lives are dictated by passions rather than social conventions and art is central to their existence.
Accepting a thrilling opportunity to study modern art in Paris, Jack’s life is forever changed. He forms a deep friendship with fellow student, Andrés and his sister, Sofia, whose dark eyes and sweet smile captivate his heart. Together, the trio explore Paris at the height of its golden age. Mentoring from Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso affirm Jack’s talent, and he has never felt so happy.
Despite experiencing the richness and freedom of life of an artist, accompanied by the wonder and turmoil of perfect love, Jack is plagued by the responsibilities that call him home.
When tragedy threatens, Jack is torn: should he follow the well-laid plans for his future or pursue a path set to disappoint his family and which offers only uncertainty?
Portraits in Blue – Book 1: The Sun Rose in Paris is the first of a trilogy that traverses bohemian art worlds, including the Bloomsburys’ Sussex, Hemmingway’s Paris, Picasso’s Malaga and the Montsalvat artists in Eltham, in an epic tale of romance, passion and heartbreak amid art, family and true love.
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A sweet, enjoyable novel about a young Australian artist’s coming of age in 1930’s Paris. The book has a lovely flow and well describes the ambiance of Paris and the notables who inhabited it during the golden years between the first and second world wars. Cameo performances by the Bloomsbury Group sisters Vanessa Bell and Virginia Wolf, and art legend Roger Fry, whom Jack is introduced to while visiting his aunt and uncle in London. Jack makes an impression on Frye, and before he knows it, he’s off studying art in Paris, where he’ll find love and friendship and be lucky enough to meet some of the icons, including Picasso, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway that called the City of Light their home. This is the first in a three-book series, and a lovely peek into a world gone by.
I enjoyed this story of a Jack, a young Australian who is given the gift of a trip to England to visit his aunt and uncle before settling into a job at the firm where his father works. They did not imagine him meeting Margaret, a whirlwind character determined to see that Jack pursues his talent as an artist. Meeting with her unconventional family, Jack is thrown into the art world of Paris. He is thrilled to be in the midst of people devoted to their art, but does not really see it as being who he is, and his parents expectations of him are all he has known. An enjoyable ride through the streets of Paris in the 1930’s where art is undergoing a changed of definition. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the experiences that Jack had in Paris. Well done Penny Fields-Schneider for a first novel and I appreciate the free copy of the first book in the series. Thank you.
The author makes you feel like you are living the main characters life. She is very descriptive in her details on a six week ship crossing half the world from Australia to London, London to Paris. Paris has proven to be a beautiful destination and even though it is set in the year 1922, the buildings and gardens do not change. The friendships made in the book are realistic.
Loved the Frenchness
Enjoyed the characters. Can’t wait for the next book and to see where it leads. Hard to put down.
A very enjoyable story of the art world in the early 20th century, which takes the reader from suburban Melbourne to London, the Bloomsbury group in Sussex, and on to Paris.
Well written and researched with lots of famous identities from the art scene of that era.
I am looking forward to Book 2 in this series.
Coming of age story during the Paris art scene during the early 1900’s. Finding oneself & not letting others decide your fate
Interesting reading about this time period and the art world in Paris.
It was easy to get lost in the story right from the first page.
It is historical fiction and gives you information of what life was at the time period in Paris. Having been to Paris several times, it brings back a lot of memories to areas I visited and have fond memories of. It is well written and the characters have been well developed.
I enjoyed this book. Learned more about the art world. Found all the travels interesting. Had a cute story about a young boy that travels on his own and grows in the process.
The characters were recognizable to me before they were even named. The descriptions were spot on. This book captures the essence of the era. You can smell the paint.
Wanted to like this book but it didn’t hold my interest. Boring characters.
I usually read books full of suspense and mystery, so I was really surprised that I really enjoyed this book. Very well written. Really liked the characters.
Drawn in to the world of art in Paris the reader will regret the book is over. Still I’m sure many will buy the next one and continue the story. Many emotional connections made a some exploration of creativity and becoming who you are.
I didn’t finish the book. I got a little lost in all the characters and how they added to the development and education of Jack.
I had a hard time putting down. Kept me racing from page to page.
An unusual story-line, but it dragged the 2nd half.
A very different book about the art world from Australia to Paris in the early 1930’s or so! I loved it, but turnout, it was the first of four books, and I haven’t been able to find the other three on Amazon. It leaves the reader hanging. I hate it when that happens.