Blood Water Paint
Artemisia Gentileschi’s mother died when she was twelve, and suddenly she had a stark choice: a life as a nun in a convent or a life grinding pigment for her father's paint. She chose paint.
By the time she was seventeen, Artemisia did more than grind pigment. She was one of Rome's most talented painters, even if no one knew her name. But Rome in 1610 was a city where men took what they wanted from women, and in the aftermath of rape Artemisia faced another terrible choice: a life of silence or a life of truth, no matter the cost.
Joy McCullough’s Blood Water Paint immediately grabbed my attention from the first page. This book is written as long-form poetry—something I don’t often read—and McCullough did an amazing job telling Artemisia’s story this way. The reader felt Artemisia’s anger when her father took credit for her skill, her joy when she experienced first love, and her rage when she was taken advantage of and raped. This book made me feel like I was walking alongside Artemisia through her journey.
Artemisia’s choice to speak out against her abuser was incredibly brave. Many women today have to make that same choice, and although they don’t risk their hands being literally damaged like Artemisia, they still face judgement, ridicule, and betrayal. I think many women, even if they haven’t been in her exact position, will relate to Artemisia’s story.
I liked how McCullough wrote about Artemisia’s love for painting. I felt connected to Artemisia’s passion. It reminded me of how I feel about writing. This is a great book for artists of all mediums.
Blood Water Paint is a compelling story about an unconventional young woman who risks everything to speak her truth. Readers won’t be disappointed!
Blood Water Paint Rating: ★★★★
By the time she was seventeen, Artemisia did more than grind pigment. She was one of Rome's most talented painters, even if no one knew her name. But Rome in 1610 was a city where men took what they wanted from women, and in the aftermath of rape Artemisia faced another terrible choice: a life of silence or a life of truth, no matter the cost.
Joy McCullough’s Blood Water Paint immediately grabbed my attention from the first page. This book is written as long-form poetry—something I don’t often read—and McCullough did an amazing job telling Artemisia’s story this way. The reader felt Artemisia’s anger when her father took credit for her skill, her joy when she experienced first love, and her rage when she was taken advantage of and raped. This book made me feel like I was walking alongside Artemisia through her journey.
Artemisia’s choice to speak out against her abuser was incredibly brave. Many women today have to make that same choice, and although they don’t risk their hands being literally damaged like Artemisia, they still face judgement, ridicule, and betrayal. I think many women, even if they haven’t been in her exact position, will relate to Artemisia’s story.
I liked how McCullough wrote about Artemisia’s love for painting. I felt connected to Artemisia’s passion. It reminded me of how I feel about writing. This is a great book for artists of all mediums.
Blood Water Paint is a compelling story about an unconventional young woman who risks everything to speak her truth. Readers won’t be disappointed!
Blood Water Paint Rating: ★★★★