Latest Mary Pope Osborne Quotes from Interviews

Artists have to believe in the merit of their own work and persevere whether they receive public recognition or not, but it's ever so nice when someone says, "Job well done"!

Mary Pope Osborne

Jobs, Nice, Believe

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
Icons are also beautiful, with their luminous colors and gold leaf. On first glance, the subjects can seem flat, their poses artificial. But the wonder of the icons has to do with the relationship which develops between the panel and the viewer. Looking at an icon brings me a feeling of serenity; it's like a form of prayer. So I suppose in this sense, the icon is unsurpassed.

Mary Pope Osborne

Beautiful, Prayer, Color

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I think it might be nice if there was a Cosimo de' Medici around today, offering commissions to the poor, but talented artists.

Mary Pope Osborne

Nice, Artist, Thinking

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
It's difficult to choose between these art forms. Iconography is entirely different from the style of the 15th century masters, who were experts in foreshortening and perspective. The technical skill and visual effects of painters like Uccello have to be admired. They achieved a level of artistry that has never been surpassed, in my opinion.

Mary Pope Osborne

Art, Skills, Perspective

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
You have to be willing to endure the discomfort, the doubts and unknowing, you somehow find the courage to walk through your doubts and the difficult times because you are living the life you are meant to live.

Mary Pope Osborne

Live Life, Doubt, Difficult Times

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
As an artist, I identify with Sandro Botticelli. We know him as the man who painted Primavera and The Birth Of Venus. The goddesses and ancient subjects he chose represented virtues which were meant to inspire people. Then he went through a dark phase when he was listening to the sermons of Savonarola, who preached against the worldly pleasures of the Renaissance. But Botticelli's works live on, inspiring people to this day. Five hundred years after his death, he still has thousands of fans!

Mary Pope Osborne

Dark, Men, Artist

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
When we believe we have all the answers, we are not open to mystery. To begin a mystical journey, you have to start with a sense of wonder, of not knowing where you are going or how you will travel. The initial phase of alchemy is called the nigredo-it's the phase of darkness, when it's "blacker than black." You feel this when you start something new-go off to college, start a new job, travel to a foreign land, or end a relationship that is not working.

Mary Pope Osborne

Jobs, Believe, Journey

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
I think today's young women are an especially powerful breed. They will be taking on even greater challenges, which is why achieving personal empowerment is so important for them. These women are going to be holding positions of significant authority, owning more businesses, and shaping public policy.

Mary Pope Osborne

Powerful, Thinking, Challenges

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I believe we're entering a new era, where dynamic female leaders will have an opportunity to bring greater harmony and peace to the planet.

Mary Pope Osborne

Believe, Opportunity, Leader

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After my husband died more than a decade ago, my mother prayed that I would remarry so that I could have a "normal" life again. Many people assumed that it would be too difficult for me to carry on as a single mother and raise a child without a man at my side. As the years went by, I found that it was indeed possible and that, in fact, I had no desire to remarry.

Mary Pope Osborne

Mother, Husband, Children

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
remember a feeling of excitement, of sudden inspiration, when I was visiting Giovanni Boccaccio's home in the walled village of Certaldo, outside of Florence. (Boccaccio was the medieval author of The Decameron.) It was as though I had met my muse! After this trip, I read The Decameron and began writing the Alchemy Series in earnest.

Mary Pope Osborne

Inspiration, Home, Writing

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
When I was contemplating medical school after graduating from Knox, several people suggested that nursing was a more suitable profession for women. My own mother discouraged me from becoming a doctor. But this is not why I became a nurse instead!

Mary Pope Osborne

Mother, School, Nursing

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
The historical novel gives us perspective on our modern lives and helps us connect with the story, which we are continuing ourselves.

Mary Pope Osborne

Historical Novels, Giving, Perspective

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While I was drawn to the Renaissance, my first (unpublished) novels took place in modern times. When the subject of alchemy started creeping into my stories, an astute mentor observed that the bits about alchemy might fit better in another time frame. When I finally decided to weave the pieces about the medieval science into historical settings, a successful novel began to emerge. (And I dusted off that art history book, and put it to use once again.)

Mary Pope Osborne

Art, Book, Successful

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
As far as benefits to reading historical novels, there are several! For one thing, you learn about life in another era. Secondly, these novels help us to develop a deeper understanding of the legacy of women who came before us and the strides made by our ancestors.

Mary Pope Osborne

Reading, Historical Novels, Understanding

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
Renaissance man, woman, either way it's a worthy pursuit! Like the painters of Emilia's day, I was raised in an environment that encouraged creative expression. Both my parents were artists, who didn't think much of TV and refused to upgrade our old black and white set. To entertain myself, I made art and wrote puppet shows.

Mary Pope Osborne

Art, Black And White, Men

Source: www.yabookshelf.com
hough I was creative, I also liked math and science. At Knox College, I studied creative writing and earned a degree in chemistry, thinking I would attend medical school. Ultimately, I decided that a career in nursing would allow more time for pursuing other creative interests. While I worked as an RN, I wrote stories inspired by my patients, designed t-shirts, and made hand-painted sandals.

Mary Pope Osborne

School, Writing, Math

Source: www.yabookshelf.com

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Born: May 20, 1949
Occupation: Author
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