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Art is What a Civilization Will Be Judged By
Six Canvases follows an art dealer that falls into a mystery that takes him on a life-changing journey. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Strangely, the inspiration for the story came from a realistic dream I had though I have always been fascinated by an artist dying young and the questions it raises in his admirer’s minds as to the masterpieces they will never experience. It seemed a natural consequence to have an art dealer obsessed by an artist’s work and life.
Foss discovers a lot about himself in this book. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
When one aspires to be an artist but lacks the talent, it seems logical that they put their passion into another’s work. In the case of the Seven Canvases, Foss’s obsession with Tyler Dobbs leads him to wanting to know everything about the man’s life, even falling in love with his woman and ultimately being used by her, even identifying with the artist.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In almost all my books, the position of the artist in the world has played an important part. I also think I wanted to explore how various people react to the same artist. In this case, some finding his work great, others mediocre. I think that no matter what mysteries or revelations are in the narrative, in the end, art is what a civilization will ultimately be judged by.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The book, Hattie’s World, is completed. It is part family saga that spans the 20th Century in California, and part story of a strong woman whose actions have a profound effect on the town her ruthless father builds. I think it’s one of my strongest works.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Six Canvases
Thomas Bauer’s Six Canvases can only be described as enchanting. It follows the life of Foster Benjamin, aka Foss, after he encounters a painter called Tyler Dobbs in the small fishing village of Williamsport. Convinced of Tyler’s genius, Foss offers to sell his art pieces in his New York gallery. However, Tyler dies shortly after, sending Foss into investigator mode. While trying to understand who Tyler was and the scope of his work, Foss makes a lot of shocking discoveries and interacts with a variety of different people. He even embarks on an unexpected love affair. Ultimately, this alters the way Foss thinks and even behaves.
If there is one thing that the author of this book does well, it’s that he keeps readers on their toes. From the beginning of the book to its end, you can’t predict what will happen next – this makes it very entertaining. Not only are its characters complex and fully developed, but the life situations that surround them are realistic. In many ways, the narrative gives readers a front-row seat to their grief, love, remorse, anger, faith, and even confusion.
The language used in this complex book is lovely – it is descriptive and artistic yet light and easy to read. Truth be told, this book reads like an intimate poem. It handles heavy themes like rape, murder, and revenge in an utterly humane way. Readers get to see the characters as who they are without feeling that the author judges them in any way. Even parts of the book make the reader dive into the psychology of the oppressed, who finally lash out at their oppressors. The author helps readers understand the importance of letting go of anguish and what happens if it consumes us.
Six Canvases is a beautifully written book about the human condition that captures how we all grapple with tragedy, loss, career slumps, and relationships. This captivating novel is filled with adventure, mystery, and drama.
Pages: 181 | ASIN : B09N5YWCT5
LITERARY TITAN 