by David Plante
First published 1989
Lisa Milroy stands before her latest canvas in her London studio, brush suspended in midair. The painter has built a reputation for her precise still life compositions, but something feels different now. The objects she paints seem to resist her control, demanding more than mere representation. As Lisa moves between gallery openings and solitary studio hours, she confronts questions that extend beyond technique. Her relationships with dealers, critics, and fellow artists shift like the light across her workspace. Each painting becomes a negotiation between what she sees and what she reveals. The art world watches, waiting for her next move, but Lisa discovers that the most important conversation happens between herself and the canvas. In this intimate portrait of creative life, she must decide whether to follow expectations or trust her evolving vision.
Genres: fiction, art, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, introspective
Setting: London
Period: Contemporary
Paperback · Third Eye Centre (Glasgow)