My Journey So Far
Short story behind the cover of my book
Leaving New Zealand and the contact that remained with my GP was professional and caring. His love of music matched mine and the CD he sent me spoke words to help me move forward.
So of course as I took the time out to write my own story it was automatic I would use the cover of the book the same as the CD. This took me on a journey of discovery.
I found that it was an original painting by a London artist called Frederic Leighton in Kensington, his muse for the painting was a girl who was in a poorer area of London and was taking care of her siblings as both parents had passed on. He helped Ada Alice Pullen become the model and actress she always wanted including coming up with her stage name of Dorothy Dene.
She was the probable inspiration for the character Eliza Doolittle in George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion (1912), and its later musical adaptation, My Fair Lady (1956) George Bernard Shaw knew her very well.
I travelled to Kensington London as the exhibit of all Frederic’s famous paintings had come together for the first time in 140 years. The exhibit was held at Leighton house and after viewing the artwork and his home it was time to see actors portray the lead up to the famous painting and Leightons love of the flow of chiffon on the Muse naked body. The painting is named Flaming June, such a magic moment for me. Frederic Leighton had a great love of the Middle East and travelled there often so his background on his paintings were of the Mediterranean. His home is full of wonderful exotic tiles both on the flooring and walls.
Flaming June then departed back to where it is held in Museo de Arte de Ponce. It is an art museum located on Avenida Las Américas in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It houses a collection of European art, as well as works by Puerto Rican artists.
Everyone in London thought Flaming June was worthless even up until the 1960’s now it is one of the Worlds most famous erotic paintings. Found by a builder hidden in a chimney on a building site in its elaborate gilt frame. The builder found a buyer and obtained 60 pounds what he thought was a good price.
Being satisfied my choice of book cover was accurate I continued. It certainly was a close match of a painting of myself age 18years.
If you are into spirituality I had a source to the spirit world let me know that there is a lady with long auburn hair who is with you all the time and it was constantly mentioned was it an Aunt of mine or was it Dorothy Dene obviously a connection there to one of my past lives. I have since discovered she is one of my ancestors. Proceeds of the book will help the painting return to London where it belongs.