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Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An enchanting immersion in the art and life of Joan Mitchell!By Troy EhlersBlue Territory immerses the reader in the journey of abstract expressionist painter Joan Mitchell (1925-1992); from child figure skater to art student to impoverished expat in Paris to female painter in a male-dominated art world. And while all the ingredients of a strong biography are presentmdash;her formative years; her artistic influences; her methodologies; her friendships and loversmdash;Blue Territory is no mere biography. Blue Territory is itself a gallery of literary artworkmdash;lovingly crafted images that form an artistrsquo;s study of Joan Mitchell. Robin Lippincottrsquo;s work has always been strongly informed by his love of and keen observation of art. For ten years; he wrote reviews of art and photography books for The New York Times Book Review. His novel Our Arcadiamdash;crafted like an impressionist painting with its short; deftly stroked chaptersmdash;portrayed the lives of a group of friends who set out to share their lives and essentially create a tiny artistrsquo;s colony called True House; ldquo;Whatrsquo;s important about life at True House is not necessarily birth and death; but art: painting; gardening and finding the Muse in between.rdquo; (mdash;Publishers Weekly). Lippincottrsquo;s first novel; Mr. Dalloway; was an homage to Virginia Woolfrsquo;s Mrs. Dalloway; Lippincott not only imagined a secret; untold life for the husband of Woolfrsquo;s protagonist; he told the story in a voice and style akin to Woolfrsquo;s. In Blue Territory; he brings this same keen observational acumen and artistic agility to the work and life of Joan Mitchell.Quote from the book: "As she works; legs apart; her extended hands and arms become a part of the very air. From a distance (the other end of the studio) she resembles a dark starfish splayed against the canvas; always reaching; stretchingmdash;and like a starfish; she cannot be easily pried away from whatever she attaches herself to; in this case painting: for she is finally free; freely creating; and regardless of the source emotion; it is almost impossible not to feel joy in the act." mdash;Robin Lippincott; Blue Territory Blue Territory is at once a cohesive and passionate narrative spanning Joanrsquo;s life; and simultaneously a gallery of more than thirty short literary works of art inspired by Joanrsquo;s stylemdash;in several instances including poems that are direct artistic renditions of specific paintings. The Tidal Press print version includes titles in blue ink and makes use of white space much like a gallery or art book; and the cover image is of a blank canvas. Lippincott divides Joanrsquo;s life into a triptychmdash;beginning with the unique perceptions of her childhood and the formative influence of her parents and sister; followed by the establishment of her own voice and career with the influences of friends; writers; contemporaries; and predecessors (Frank Orsquo;Hara; Samuel Beckett; Wallace Stevens; T.S. Eliot; Rilke; Franz Kline; Willem de Kooning; Matisse; Kandinsky; Van Gogh; Mondrian; Barney Rosset; Orozco; Siqueiros; Gorky; Philip Guston and Sam Francis to name a few); and ultimately the third panel of the triptych portrays her mature and self-assured efforts amidst the physical challenges of her latter years. Blue Territory evokes a deep understanding and connection with the artist; notably focused around specific moments of her creations. Joan Mitchellrsquo;s paintings are inspired by her emotions and the poetry she loves. Robin Lippincott; in turn; creates poetry and prose inspired by her paintings; thus furthering the critical dialogue without which; art becomes meaningless.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Bravo for Blue TerritoryBy Karen WatsonReview of Blue Territory by Robin LippincottRobin Lippincottrsquo;s Blue Territory is a stunning book. nbsp;Mr. Lippincott is an eloquent; poetic writer; with a masterful use of language; and voice. He has written an intimate; tender portrait of; and tribute to artist Joan Mitchell; her complex life and her art. Robin Lippincott has painted; in words; a vivid picture of the many colors and brushstrokes of Joan Mitchell.This book is not still at all. The motion of the book is fluid; like a running river; filled with currents; always moving; Robin Lippincott tells of the authenticity of Joan Mitchellrsquo;s life journey; and her challenge to be a woman abstract painter in a world dominated by male artists.Even the format of the book is beautiful. The size of book is most pleasant to hold. Reading it; and turning the pages is an intimate and tactile experience. The titles of the chapters are compelling and seductive. The titles are like theatre curtains; calling out to be opened; to reveal the story that is unfolding about this genius womanrsquo;s life and times.Bravo for Blue Territory. Bravo for Author Robin Lippincott! Karen Watsonnbsp;nbsp;2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Kept me absorbed!By CB LaneA friend called Blue Territory a "gem;" and thats an apt description: its multiple facets sparkle and flash; and keep you entranced by its shining heart. The magic language made me feel as if Id known and loved Joan myself; and now Im inspired to visit and admire all her paintings; Blue Territory in hand. And; I want to read it a few more times; just to dwell in its world. I wasnt surprised - I could say the same of all of the works Ive read by Mr. Lippincott. Wonderful; wonderful book!