A two-year collaboration between Davidson residents Virginia Quillen and Jackie Jones comes to fruition this month with the publication of a book of their paintings and poems about Lake Norman, titled Lake Reflections.
Ms. Quillen, a watercolor painter and illustrator, first conceived of doing a book featuring her paintings of Lake Norman a couple of years ago. She met Ms. Jones and asked if she’d be willing to write some poetry accompany the images. Lake Reflections is the result, and it’s due out by the end of this month, published by Paragon Studios of Charlotte.
When Ms. Quillen and Ms. Jones approached Paragon Studios about publishing the coffee-table book, book designer Kat Gantt proposed adding another element as well: a DVD. So buyers of the book get not only paintings and poetry, but also a multimedia DVD that features the 16 paintings, poems and music.
“I thought perhaps there was a place for a coffee table book about all the feelings people have about the lake,” Ms. Quillen said in an interview. “And you don’t have to live on it to feel it.”
The DVD is designed “to totally envelop you with the idea that you’ve spent an hour at the lake,” Ms. Quillen said.
Lake reflections is available at Main Street Books and the Village Store, as well as through the website www.lakereflectionsbook.com. The authors are also marketing it themselves and plan to sell it at the Southern Christmas Show Nov. 8-18 at Charlotte Merchandise Mart.
Watercolor painting “Spinnaker Wind,” by Virginia Quillen
