All future blog posts can now be found here, on my website:
http://www.elynnhwriting.com/elynnh-1
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Sunday, June 7, 2020
But ... is it Real?
Authenticating art, and I include manuscripts in this, is
not a straightforward and simple process. You can’t just look at a painting and
say, “Yea, that’s a real Van Gogh. Go ahead, it’s perfectly safe to pay a few
million for it. Open your wallet, all is well.”
There is the analysis of brushstrokes, the chemical analysis
of the paints used, paintings are X-rayed and carefully examined under a variety
of microscopes and using advanced analytical equipment. And, in recent years, authentication
specialists have added another tool to their authentication repertoire. Though according
to this New
York Times article on carbon dating materials used after the atomic bomb
testing and the bombs dropped in Japan during WWII to determine if the artwork
was created before the additional nuclear material in the environment or after,
it might be a fleeting tool.
It’s rarely just one person who determines the authenticity
of a painting. There is also the provenance to consider. Just because the person
selling you the painting tells you they got it legally from, for example, an
enthusiastic yard sale purchaser who had it hanging in the dining room for forty
years, and took it to an antique roadshow type of event where the dealer
purchased it for a fair price, doesn’t mean it was theirs to sell. The most
obvious example of art that wasn’t a dealer’s to sell are the Nazi looted paintings.
This is why it’s equally important to dive deep into the
history of a piece and in essence track its life story. Where did it originate,
who had it next, etc. The more information about a piece’s history can be
verified through documentation, receipts, journal entries, etc., the more
valuable the piece becomes. Assuming of course that paper trail is authentic.
There are examples of well-crafted forgeries with stellar provenances, including
perfectly forged receipts. But it just takes one forgery in that chain to be
pegged as false to unravel the scheme.
But what about books and ancient manuscripts? How can you
tell if the piece is authentic and what makes it authentic? In the case of the
Archimedes Palimpsest – read about it in the book The
Archimedes Codex - the actual prayer book it was found in was authentic in
and of itself. However, the pages of the prayer book were created from reused parchment.
And the original text of most of the pages, not all, in the prayer book contained
notes and mathematical formulas that were from Archimedes teachings. The prayer
book had therefore been made from much older scholarly material.
It was a very common practice in ancient times to reuse parchment.
It wasn’t cheap to get brand new parchment and if you could afford it, did you
get the superior calf’s parchment or settle for lesser quality sheep parchment?
Most of the educational texts centuries ago were written on the
lesser quality sheep’s parchment and were commonly reused for new texts. There
are different parchments that have survived with recipes on it for how best to
remove old ink from parchment and how to prepare it to reuse it. From soaking
it in either a highly acidic solution or highly alkaline solution, to adding
the burnt or ground skin of a hare, which doesn’t seem like it would have an effect.
Turns out everyone had their own recipe, some going back to Egypt, around AD 300.
After soaking it was recommended you stretch the parchment on a frame and put
something heavy on it. This means there would be small holes around the edges
of the paper, which can give an authenticator or conservator a clue that the
parchment had been reused and the text on it was most likely not the original.
After all that soaking and stretching and flattening, the
user was advised to scrape the parchment to remove roughness and any surface ink
that might remain. To do that it was recommended one use either pumice stone or
chalk. Each of these leave unique microscopic traces in the form of scratches or
whitening of the parchment. An authenticator, as well as a conservator, can see
those and identify them under a microscope or can even take tiny samples to analyze
the composition of the material used in that last process of clearing the
parchment of old ink.
There are not many examples of whole manuscripts being
forged, though individual pages, especially illuminated ones (those with
beautiful painted designs and illustrations on them) do come up as forgeries
from time to time. More on that next time.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Finding My Way Back to the Arts
Once upon a time I was ready to dive into the art world with
my freshly minted Arts Management degree, only to be knocked sideways and off
course by a series of events that led me down a few different winding paths.
Each of these paths, thankfully, included writing in some
form or another, which helped me hone my skills and craft, until finally, I
found the yellow brick road. Okay, maybe not quite that fabled path, but
certainly a way back to what I loved. Through a series of serendipitous
connections and posts spotted on LinkedIn, I found out about the Art Newspaper.
After reading the 3 permitted free articles online, I was hungry for more. I felt
revived, like a parched plant was finally given water.
But, let me go to the beginning, before I got that
proverbial water. It all started with a new book idea. While working on the
first draft, I realized I might need a little research to make sure I got the
details right. A ‘simple’ story about forged manuscripts, art auctions, theft
and an international chase, complete with a reluctant heroine, an art restorer,
ruthless collectors, and a full cast of colorful supporting characters.
By chapter two I realized I definitely needed more
information. This led me on many online searches, new connections and
fascinating phone calls with people in the field of manuscript conservation,
art authentication and art crime law. From Interpol and the FBI, to
conservators at major museums and libraries across the world, to lawyers
specialized in art crimes, to scientists using cutting edge technology to
detect and uncover possible forgeries.
It also had me scouring used book sites to find obscure
titles as well as more recent books on the subject. In addition, online
documentation and reports shared with me by new connections really opened up
the story and fueled more ideas.
It’s mind-boggling to learn the kind of fraud, forgery and
theft – and clever money laundering schemes - that goes on in the international
art world – I included manuscripts in that. For some time I was getting lost in
the many different directions I could go with the book I’d started writing.
Notebooks, random pieces of paper, napkins, envelopes;
everything I could scribble a quick idea on is used. I’m still very much in the
input phase of learning. But I have narrowed it down and am back on the path
I’d originally chosen for the story. The only difference is that now I have
loads more detail to populate the story with, and a notebook with ideas for
sequels.
As interesting as the wide world of art crime is, that’s not
what I want this blog series to be about, I want to keep the focus a little
narrower. With all this information I’ve been gathering, I will soon have
enough material for a non-fiction book. So, as I puzzle out the chapters for
this non-fiction book, I will chronicle my research and planning in blog posts
that offer a short dip into different element of book and manuscript forgery,
authentication, conservation, restoration, crime, etc.
Please feel free to provide feedback, or ask questions, as
that will only make the book better and give me an idea of what a lay-reader
without any or little art/manuscript background would like to know more about.
You can also learn more about my writing to date at: www.elynnhwriting.com
Saturday, August 31, 2019
3 Things I Love About Ghostwriting and 1 Thing Not So Much
Ghostwriting is the art of taking someone else’s story and
writing it up so that it reads like they are talking and engaging with the
reader. And though it may seem most often that a ghostwritten book is nonfiction,
as in a business book detailing a CEO’s inspirational way of taking a company
from zero to fortune 500, or a biography of someone who has had a fascinatingly
unique life, would it surprise you to learn there are also a fair number of
fiction books that have been written with the help of a ghostwriter?
Much of my current day job requires me to ghostwrite articles
for others, often on technical solutions to real-world problems industries face.
I always learn something new and get to indulge my inner geek as I do extra
research into the theories and the history of the technologies I write about.
Recently, it got me thinking about the nature of ghostwriting
and why I enjoy it.
11. I love hearing other people’s stories
I’ve written about this in the past.
For some reason people want to tell me their stories. Their experiences, their
secrets, their hopes and dreams they don’t normally tell others, they are
comfortable telling me. For me, it highlights that interconnectedness of us all
because I see so many similarities in the histories of individual people as
well as their dreams for the future, no matter where on my travels I find these
stories. Such as the time I took a train from Northern Italy to Strasbourg,
France, and I shared a compartment with an elderly Italian gentleman who was
traveling outside of Italy for the first time in his life to visit his banker son
in England. They were going to see a soccer match, he told me with great
enthusiasm. Though my Italian was very limited and his English was almost non-existent,
we spent hours talking. He showed me pictures of his family and using simple
words we were able to share stories.
22. I get to share those stories with others
By writing the stories I collect into
fiction or articles or a non-fiction book, I get to share what I’ve learned with
others. It may sound a tad simple and maybe sentimental even, but sharing
stories is in our DNA. And so many of these stories resonate with readers. Not
just the biographies of war survivors, or people who’ve overcome tremendous
odds to succeed, though those matter, don’t misunderstand, but I’m talking
about the smaller stories of every day heroics or struggles. The, at the same
time, unique yet ordinary lives. Or a simple technology solution for an
industry that ordinarily wouldn’t consider using that.
33. I get paid to write
That might seem trivial, but I assure you it
isn’t. Getting paid for doing something I love validates the work I do and
encourages me to do more. It encourages me to continue to hone my craft, but
also allows me to share my skills and help others grow as they pursue their
dreams of writing. Whether it’s guiding an intern to write blogs, or helping a
new writer figure out how best to structure his book on architecture, guiding a
coworker on the most impactful way to arrange information for a presentation,
or writing a speech for a CEO using his notes and ideas.
The one thing I’m less fond of in ghostwriting is that
sometimes you don’t get to tell the story that would appeal to readers; the one
you really want to tell. Like the time a wily octogenarian hired me to write “a
book, no a screenplay, no maybe it should be a book, oh let’s make it a screenplay
it’ll be a thrill for the kids and grandkids to see my name in lights.”
His story idea was decent enough, if a bit old Hollywood of the
Cary Grant – Rosalind Russell era, but he tried to stuff it with too many
subplots that he insisted should be in there because he was paying for me to
put them in there and he felt Hollywood had gotten away from good stories. It
was a losing battle. All the while, though, he was also telling me about his
life which would have made for a real page-turner … I tried very hard to
convince him to let me write that story, but he refused. He didn’t want his
kids to know all that about him. So, I filed it under “secrets”. Between you
and me, it would have saved his kids hours of therapy had they known, but sometimes
you just have to let it be. Chalk it up to learning.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Autism Picture Book Author Interview
Hi Sue, Welcome to my blog, I’m happy meet you and introduce you to my readers. Your picture book
looks to fill an interesting niche and I am curious to learn more about what
inspired it. Let’s get started.
Title, genre, format (ebook, paperback):
Just Elliot
Children’s illustrated story book
Hardcover, ebook, ibook
Tell me about your book/story:
Jump into the head of six-year-old Elliot, a boy with autism, and
see what it’s like to navigate life on the spectrum.
This beautifully illustrated, lively story will give insight to
neuro-typical children and the people who love them, into the challenges their
friends may be facing. We hope this book will encourage understanding and
acceptance of children who may act a little differently.
The book includes resource materials and discussion questions.
What is the one thing you’d like people to know about the book or the story:
Just Elliot is based upon the experiences of a real boy with
autism, with a special foreword by Temple Grandin.
What has the reaction been to the book, is it making a difference
in the conversation about autism:
To date, we have addressed about 1800 school children, grades
K-5, with a discussion of autism, bullying and acceptance. We read the book and
entertain questions and are continually amazed by the awareness of autism by
young children. There has been a very enthusiastic response by students,
teachers, librarians and parents who have attended the presentations.
Last April we were interviewed on Colorado Public Radio about the
book during Autism Acceptance Month (previously known as Autism Awareness
Month) and received rave reviews!
Where can people find your book:
Amazon
Book stores
From the publisher: bearpawprint@gmail.com
Any links and/or pictures you want to share:
Ibook: http://itunes.apple.
com/us/book/id1356991834
Monday, December 24, 2018
Holiday Book Boost Number 30
Hi Nicola, Welcome to my blog, I’m happy meet you and introduce you to my readers. Let’s get started.
Title, genre, format
(ebook, paperback):
Out in the Dark.
It’s a YA thriller. Available in both paperback and ebook.
Tell me about your
book/story:
Jake’s father is one of a group of
psychic warriors from a CIA/Stanford University project designed to train
people in “remote viewing,” but he's been taken by a rogue unit with more
sinister plans for his skills. Now, seventeen-year-old Jake must set out on a
journey to rescue his father. Jake doesn't know where his father is, and his
only clues are the flashes of images he gets in his mind. Taking his father's
vintage 1966 Pontiac GTO, Jake sets out across the Cascades from Washington, to
Nevada. Along the way he picks up Shelley, a girl scarred by poverty and who
has had to do some pretty unpleasant things to get together enough money to go
to college. He was only going to give her a lift to Nevada, but soon they're
both running for their lives.
What is the one thing
you’d like people to know about you (or, what is your secret superpower):
I can find and create order out of chaos.
And just a few fun
questions:
Pen or Computer:
Both. I find when I’m stuck on a piece of writing, switching
to writing with a pen on paper can help.
Best writing snacks:
Surf Sweets Gummy Bears – I tell myself the Vit. C in them
makes them totally healthy.
Also, green tea or good strong, black coffee.
Craziest thing you’ve
done for story research:
Learned Remote Viewing and more recently, to understand the nature
of energy from a different side, learned Reiki healing.
Where can people find
your book/story:
All the usual places.
Including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks but also directly
from the publisher, Untreed Reads (where it's on sale right now!)
If enough of you ask maybe my editor will agree to a sequel!
Any links you want to
share:
Twitter: @Nicky_Adams_Pen
Thank you!
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Holiday Book Boost Number 29
Hi Andrew, Welcome to my blog, I’m happy meet you and
introduce you to my readers. Let’s get started.
Title, genre, format
(ebook, paperback):
Epic Space Adventure: Europa Excursion
Kid’s picture book, hardcover
Tell me about your
book/story:
Europa Excursion is
the third book in the Epic Space Adventure series, picking
with our team of animal explorers after Mars Rover Rescue. The series
presents science in a way that's easy to understand, combined with an exciting
story line. In Europa Excursion, the team receives a distress call from
Europa! Captain Chips and his crew are trapped under the ice of Jupiter’s moon.
Our animal explorer team need to grab their gear, head for Europa, and find a
way to melt its ice to descend into its subsurface ocean. Searching the depths,
who knows what amazing things they'll discover?
What is the one thing
you’d like people to know about you (or, what is your secret superpower):
I love trivia, especially geography, history, and science.
And just a few fun
questions:
Pen or Computer:
Computer, although I sometimes jot ideas on paper.
Best writing snacks:
Popcorn and fizzy water. Sometimes dark chocolate.
Craziest thing you’ve
done for story research:
Brainstorm rhyming ideas.
Where can people find
your book/story:
You can order autographed copies on www.andrew-rader.com
Thank you!
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