I have learned as a writer that images can be just as important as the words in a book. That is why I am so fortunate to have Rosana Chinchilla @artbyrosana as the artist who brought life to my stories on the cover and 12 large plate illustrations that start every monthly chapter. In her art, she has captured the essence of not only the seasonal changes in the gardens I inhabit but the joy of those who share them with me.
I gave her draft copies of my book over a year ago to familiarize herself with my stories. She immersed herself in the project with many questions and notes of what she wanted to bring out in each chapter. And the inspirational illustrations she has created are nothing short of remarkable. This isn’t to say we did not have some artistic differences.
For instance, in one of her first sketches of January, I told her she could not have a blooming amaryllis in the middle of a raised bed in the snow outside the window. She chalked it up to artistic license but I told her that the flower belongs on a windowsill. Our collaboration has fostered wonderful accidents. For instance, an alternate cover illustration became the back cover, which perfectly complements the front cover. The plate illustration of November, which we never discussed, is a masterpiece displaying the plaintive and desolate nature of the waning days of Fall.
I have long been familiar with her work as she is Juana’s incredibly talented sister who generously paints beautiful pictures for us that find their way all over our walls. If you want to see these pictures and more, you can pre-order A Therapist’s Garden now by Googling “A Therapist’s Garden Erik Keller” or click on the Read More link on my Home page. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
