Penny Fields-Schneider

All Lee Krasner ever wanted was to be an artist. Passionate and determined, she pursued her dream. By her twenties she was Hans Hofmann's best student, and a vanguard of America's first art movement, along with de Kooning, Kline and Pollock. But for most of the twentieth century, art was a man's world, and even her peers failed her. Another obstacle for Lee was her marriage to Jackson Pollock, whose star shone so brightly, it cast a shadow over everything around it, eventually self-destructing.The Woman Who Painted The Seasons is a vivid recreation of the tragedies and triumphs of Lee's life, including her determination to be recognized for her art and her passion to ensure Jackson Pollock achieve the success he deserved.

Searching for Sofia is the third book in the Portraits in Blue Series. In Book One: The Sun Rose in Paris, and Book Two: Shattered Dreams we accompany Jack Tomlinsons foray into the world of artists in the early twentieth century, and his experiences in Paris, Spain and living in an artists retreat in Australia. In Searching for Sofia, his story continues. Having experienced tragedy beyond his imaginings, Jack tries to put his life back together again - first by finding healing at Heide, under the gentle, if somewhat intense, guidance of art enthusiasts - Sunday and John Reed, then by committing to life as a war-artist in the mountains of Crete. Despite his experiences, Jack never forgets the love that haunts him and which tests his sanity to the limits.

Launching onto the train to join Sofia and Andres as they travel to southern Spain, Jack has no thought for the responsibilities that await him on the other side of the world. All he knows is that he isn't ready to leave the woman who'd captured his heart in Paris. For Jack, life is perfect on the twins' farm in M laga, with its sweeping views of the Mediterranean; sharing the enduring charm of a Spanish lifestyle with Sofia and spending his days painting with Andres. Even so, misunderstandings and complications arise, and Jack has doubts about his future. Personal tragedy and a decline in economic circumstances force Jack and Sofia to leave Spain and they travel across the world to Australia, seeking financial security and family connections.Before long, the heady lure of Melbourne's art world beckons and, falling under the spell of the charismatic but dominating Justus Jorgensen, Jack and Sofia embrace his dream to build an artists' colony, ultimately living at Montsalvat - a place whose buildings are modelled on seventeenth century Europe and where residents live cooperatively, freed from the constraints of social conventions. The arrival of their long-awaited baby, Scotty, fulfils their dreams and Jack has never felt happier. While the bohemian lifestyle of Montsalvat proves stimulating, Jack and Sofia are increasingly disturbed by the darker side of Jorgensen's personality. They make plans for a fresh start, in a home of their own. Tragically, their excitement turns to heartbreak as a shocking accident befalls the colony, threatening to rob Jack of all that he loves, testing his very sanity.

When talented young artist Jack Tomlinson travels from Australia to London for six months to visit relatives, he unexpectedly finds himself transported into the bohemian art world of Paris as an art student, finding love and friendship. He learns that while life may give you everything you ever dreamed of, equally it can take it all away.