Reviews for How She Did It
I just finished reading *How She Did It*, and I have to say, it was incredibly inspiring! Georgeanna Lipe’s life and her art blend so beautifully, and I felt like I was traveling with her as she explored places like Shanghai and Salzburg. Her watercolors are absolutely mesmerizing — each piece seems to tell a story of its own, especially when paired with those personal anecdotes you included. I love how you brought out her adventurous spirit and fearlessness, especially in a time when women didn’t often take such bold steps. The way you captured her artistic evolution made me feel like I was watching her grow with each stroke of the brush. It’s a book that truly resonates on both an emotional and visual level!
Warm regards, BookBuzzExpert
HOW SHE DID IT: The Creativity of Georgeanna Lipe by Patricia Daly-Lipe is a short biography and compilation of visually inspiring paintings and sketches by the titular Georgeanna Lipe. Anna White took on her husband’s last name, Lipe. She simultaneously changed her first name to combine her parents’ names, George and Anna. Georgeanna Lipe had always been artistically inclined. She honed her skills by studying art and medical science at Vanderbilt University. Her artistic prowess shone through in sketches for medical journals and research papers. Additionally, during the Great Depression, Georgeanna took on commissions for creative illuminations of documents for various churches. Her artistic output took a backseat when she became a stay-at-home mother of three. However, as her children became independent, Georgeanna resumed her art and focused on watercolor paintings.
HOW SHE DID IT: The Creativity of Georgeanna Lipe by Patricia Daly-Lipe was very interesting. I enjoy learning more about people like Georgeanna, who lived for a little over a century (1909-2012). It is comforting that some of her beautiful illustrations will be preserved through Daly-Lipe’s work. I especially liked that drawings and sketches from various parts of the world were included. Georgeanna visited China, Egypt, and various breathtaking locations in the States. The places depicted may seem mundane, but her watercolor portrayals of nature and architecture heighten the book. I am inspired to visit these places, as much as I am inspired to paint. I highly recommend this work of art to all art enthusiasts.
5 STAR Review by Juan Lynch for Readers’ Favorite
BOOK REVIEW, From another author; April 29, 2024
Rarely does a person have the privilege of reading a book that combines the talents of a gifted writer with that of a gifted artist. How She Did It offers one that privilege. Certain books begin speaking to you from the moment they are opened and this one does just that. I knew as soon as I saw the cover and read the dedication that this was a winner. I have read other books by this author but I was not a quarter of the way through this one before realizing it was going to have a special place in my book collection. It leaves you thinking, “How did l not know this fascinating person existed?” and feeling happy that, because of this book, l am not the only one who will say that as the years go on.
The story is mesmerizing and compelling and I especially loved the way Georgeanna was reunited with Charlotte serendipitously but l best not do a spoiler on that. Shanghai, Bermuda, the San Diego Harbor, St Marks, and Salzburg are my favorites, although I have a funny feeling my favorites will rotate as time goes on! Those small sketches of China are so engaging as well. I studied those for a while. Every word, and every splash of color and every quote works together to touch your soul. I will always love this book. On a technical note…rarely have I seen a book of this kind formatted and put together so well. A real treasure that now l will spend time with again.
Reviewed by: Jessica Russell,
Pen Name of Jesse Broadt
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BOOK REVIEW, from THE PEN WOMAN, Winter 2024 issue
In the words of Georgeanna Lipe, “The exuberance of facing a stark
white canvas or beautifully hand-crafted watercolor sheet is pure joy.”
As artists, we usually start with a preconceived idea
that often morphs into something totally unexpected. Viola! A mixture of
energetic movements of color and shapes emerges. As Lipe wrote, studying color
theory and illustration had given her the technological tools she needed, but,
as she points out, it is the inner voice that is in charge. Her quotes
perfectly explain her relationship to the piece being created. An artist never
paints “things.” The artist paints relationships, chooses a center of interest,
and considers colors and their values.
In “How She Did It,” Patricia Daly-Lipe dives into
Georgeanna Lipe’s life through the writings and artwork she left behind. Lipe
was born in Nashville in 1909 to a prominent family. At 22, she graduated from
college and worked for a year as a medical illustrator at Vanderbilt
University. She wrote, “I had two months’ vacation and had saved a little
money, which was burning a hole in my pocket.” Having traveled very little, she
longed to explore other parts of the world. So, one summer, Lipe chose to take
an art course at the University of California, Los Angeles. But she traveled
there via the Panama Canal. Quite adventurous for a single young lady to travel
at that time!
Lipe’s adventuresome soul is one that most artists
only dream of. Her painting and sketches are crisp, colorful and alive,
expressing the timeless beauty of her trips and the people she met. Her story
is an inspiration to artists who want to experience life through their work.
Daly-Lipe’s “How She Did It” is the story of an amazing and incredible artist
with a brilliant repertoire of paintings.
Reviewed
by: Stephanie Pyren-Fortel. Jacksonville Branch NLAPW
How She Did It is the remarkable story of Georganna Lipe who wrote, “We live in a beautiful world, so let’s enjoy it in all its depth of colors…” Well-educated and adventuresome, Georganna Lipe did exactly that. How She Did It expresses exactly what Ms. Lipe wrote, “We live in a beautiful world, so let’s enjoy it in all its depth of colors..” Throughout her life she recorded her delight in the many views she savored from her California home to the world beyond. With her masterful use of water-colors, she adeptly and creatively captured images discovered along her winding path. This book invites the reader/viewer to travel along with her. Her images savor views expertly recorded with artistic clarity. All reveal her fascination with the world she encountered and now creatively share with those who will enjoy this book. One will want to read it and re-read it. Once is not enough!
Rev. Jean Dodd
As an adventurer in life, I enjoyed reading about Anna Lipe as she made her exciting leaps of faith, some of which might have taken a very bad turn. As a woman it was intriguing to read about someone who lived bravely as she spanned well over the century mark. And finally, as an artist, it was enjoyable to peruse through the delightful and prolific works of someone who captured her world eloquently in bright, expressive colors. I really think this is a book that has something for everyone. It would be a wonderful way to open the world of art to a child. It is a lovely gift for anyone, artist or art-lover to peruse and enjoy the beautiful paintings and often (as an added treat) the prior sketches. And it is an intriguing and relatable tale. Patricia Daly-Lipe captures the essence of the artist and her subjects in this well-written book, which in its own right is a work of art.
Dorothy Smith
The exuberance of facing a stark white canvas or beautifully hand-crafted watercolor sheets is pure joy! The approach I take is to let it come from within.”
This is precisely what Georgeanna Lipe wrote. As artists, we usually start with a preconceived idea which often morphs into something totally unexpected. Voila! A mixture of energetic movements of colors and shapes emerges. Both she and I have a background in professional work in anatomy. As she writes, study of color theory and illustration have given us the technical tools we need. However, as Georgeanna points out, it is our inner voice that is in charge. Whether it is figurative or landscape work, as artists, we love bright colors and subtle emphasis of intertwining shapes. My inspiration is always harmony of nature and the spirit of mankind. I work from both my photographs or on location. Having traveled and lived in Europe, visiting museums and everyday life there left a huge impression on me and my work. We see the same in the life and paintings portrayed in this book of Georgeanna Lipe. I love the quote from Georgeanna: “Old Artists never die, they just draw to the end.” Thank you Georgeanna Lipe!
Stephanie Pyren: A commercial and private fine artist who is a national and international exhibitor in France, Bangkok, Holland and throughout the United States. Stephanie has taught life drawing, as well as painting ln all medias. She worked in most major animation studios in Los Angeles as a character designer and background painter and in the licensing division of Warner Bros. In addition, she has illustrated 4 children’s books. Stephanie and her husband recently relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, and she is active with the arts in the area.
www.stephaniepyren-finearts.com
“She had a smile as quick as her wit and warm as her heart. Her personality was a triple shot of curiosity, creativity, and positivity, blended with an adventurous spirit and spunk.”
Patti Keyes, Manager of The Artists Gallery, La Jolla, CA
