A most interesting book has come my way: Wildings, The Secret Garden of Eileen Soper by Duff Hart-Davis. The book is not only the story of the Soper garden, but it also includes Eileen Soper's life as a wildlife artist. Eileen lived 81 years in the house her father built for the Soper family. She never married, and lived with her older sister until she died in 1990. Eileen Soper was considered to be a child protege in the art of etching. Her father taught her everything she knew about art and he kept Eileen close by his side while she learned. Her etchings and paintings were sold all over the world and supported her quite well. I should say, could have supported her well if she would have allowed herself to use the money. She became a recluse and lived a very closed life. The house was overtaken by the garden and the wild animals that were encouraged to visit without fear of being chased out. After her death and after the house was cleaned out, it was reported that countless pieces of Soper art was recovered. Much of it had been mouse eaten and bird soiled. It was still valuable and sold for fasts amounts of money. This was an intriguing book to me because of the artists lifestyle and ample talent. Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Wildings
A most interesting book has come my way: Wildings, The Secret Garden of Eileen Soper by Duff Hart-Davis. The book is not only the story of the Soper garden, but it also includes Eileen Soper's life as a wildlife artist. Eileen lived 81 years in the house her father built for the Soper family. She never married, and lived with her older sister until she died in 1990. Eileen Soper was considered to be a child protege in the art of etching. Her father taught her everything she knew about art and he kept Eileen close by his side while she learned. Her etchings and paintings were sold all over the world and supported her quite well. I should say, could have supported her well if she would have allowed herself to use the money. She became a recluse and lived a very closed life. The house was overtaken by the garden and the wild animals that were encouraged to visit without fear of being chased out. After her death and after the house was cleaned out, it was reported that countless pieces of Soper art was recovered. Much of it had been mouse eaten and bird soiled. It was still valuable and sold for fasts amounts of money. This was an intriguing book to me because of the artists lifestyle and ample talent. 
5 comments:
Very interesting. I think I would enjoy that book. It is often surprising to learn of the life so many talented people live / lived.Good thing most of them do not pay attention to the "experts" who would tell them to change and inflict "interventions" on them, but then, maybe she might have been happier. I think I will look for that book~
Sounds like an interesting book.
Very interesting
I wonder what made her close herself away like thay
This sounds like a good read... adding this title to my list. Thanks for the tip, Julene! :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))
I have never heard of this artist and I found your post so interesting. I love to read about folks like this! blessings,Kathleen
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