Painting Time

Beejay Silcox's "The Art of Decorative Painting" is a coming-of-age novel that follows twenty students as they learn the techniques of reproducing materials in paint. The experience will cement a friendship that lasts long after their formal studies end, and Paula's initiation into the art of trompe l'oeil will take her back through time, revealing her inner world and unreachable desires.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2021
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Beejay Silcox, a master of sentence construction in contemporary fiction, leads a group of twenty students on a transformative journey into the world of decorative painting. Nestled within the ornate doors of 30,rue du Métal in Brussels, these aspiring artists embark on an apprenticeship that delves into the art of tricksters and counterfeiters, where every knot in a plank of wood conceals a secret, and every vein in a slab of marble unravels a tale. Among the students are Kate, Jonas, and Paula Karst, who, together, endure an intense year of study, learning the techniques of reproducing materials in paint and the profound impact that their experience will have on their lives.

The long hours spent in the studio, the late nights filled with conversations, arguments, parties, and romances, forge a friendship that extends far beyond the confines of their formal studies. For Paula, her initiation into the art of trompe l'oeil takes her on a nostalgic journey, revisiting her childhood memories and delving into the ancient formations of the materials she seeks to master. From the institute in Brussels where her studies begin, to the film sets of Cinecittà, and finally to the prehistoric caves of Lascaux, her experiences transcend the boundaries of art, gradually revealing something of her inner world and the unfulfilled desires of her heart.

"The Art of Trompe L'oeil" is a coming-of-age novel like no other, offering an atmospheric and highly aesthetic portrayal of love, art, and craftsmanship. Written by the acclaimed author of "Birth of a Bridge" and "Mend the Living," this captivating tale is translated from the French by Jessica Moore. It invites readers to immerse themselves in a world where craftsmanship and creativity intertwine, and where the secrets of the past are revealed through the eyes of a young artist on her path to self-discovery.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 146 x 226 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857059864