Feet of Clay

Mirabella Clayton (Mimi) struggles to get out from under the weight of childcare and household work to begin her path as a sculptor. A secondary story follows Mimi's close friend who is reeling from the discovery of her husband's infidelity.

Book will explore ideas about beauty and the need for creative expression in women's lives.

STATUS: Novel manuscript in progress.

Manuscript excerpt:

Mimi had years of Stephen-centered fantasy. Before she knew him well she focused upon his smooth, dark-honey skin, his elegant profile, and his bright red lips. She imagined scenes that would maximize the surface area of her body that interfaced with his, where she could soak his warm, fragrant skin, feel the energy of his fit, youthful body. Later she added his cheery, hearty essence, folding it in for an emotional uplift beyond the physical satisfaction. Then she expanded to Stephen’s barn studio behind the olive trees with a storyline like James Cameron’s Titanic where the artist Stephen finds inspiration in the beautiful, voluptuous Mimi.

Recently thoughts like the fact that Stephen never painted human forms bogged down the story. Logistics of babies and children intruded in the same way they constantly thwarted her and Eric. Tonight Mimi could not get a fantasy started. Instead, she remembered the real Stephen, fully clothed, spit up on his faded T-shirt, his bare feet in black Tevas, saying, “You have something you want to express in three dimensions. Your father wants you to go back to your art. Mateo is teaching here this fall.”