Sketches from the Heart of a Texas Artist
A novel by
Margaret Elizabeth Hulse
The Story of
Mona Lamar
Through the genre magical realism, Margaret uses her voice as an author and activist to educate her audience on the realities of domestic violence.
‘Sketches from the Heart of a Texas Artist’ is a creative response to the pain and suffering that occurs as a result of sexual abuse.
The protagonist, Mona Lamar, is a jewelry designer and Dallas Design District gallery owner, whose passion and lustful vulnerability, in the wake of a series of painful events, grows with so much fervor that she is pulled by the forces of nature to overcome her greatest fears in pursuit of self-actualization. Mona accepts her Hero’s Journey with conviction and doesn’t look back. As she’s chased by her shadow of despair, she hijacks a boat, sails through the Caribbean, falls in love, becomes entranced by an enchanted priestess, and receives instructions to return to her place of birth, New Orleans, to understand and accept her ultimate truths.
What They’re Saying
Margaret approaches the craft of writing from a three-dimensional perspective—one that lies simultaneously beneath, above, and behind the subject of her narrative. She is wedded to the notion of story and storytelling. Her command of character, plot, point-of-view, rising and falling action, and strong use of visual imagery keep her readers locked in.
— William Eldridge, freelance writer and editor
Texas, New Orleans, sailing, being a female artist (although I’m a musician… I have a similar tale of a chance at success, but at a cost I refused to pay), family ties, intuition, there are just so many uncanny parallels with your story and my own… This book landed in my hands at just the right time.
— Kes O’Hara, Dallas Musician
About the Author
Margaret Elizabeth Hulse, principal, Mpulse Writes, is a leader in publishing, the arts, and women’s advocacy. Through works like the Love Necklace Campaign, the Empower through Love Project, and her most recent book, ‘I Love.’ Margaret uses her voice as an author and activist to educate her audience on the realities of domestic violence.
In her debut novel, ‘Sketches from the Heart of a Texas Artist,’ Margaret delves into the introspective journey one must embark upon to overcome the darkness, depression, and feelings of self-hatred that linger long after abuse occurs.
Her book is a testament to the strength required to move beyond the dark, and back into the light.
An excerpt from Chapter Six
A wave of fear sent chills across my skin as I noticed a massive, dark shadow stirring in the distance. I could feel my emotions rising through my chest. I was not quite sure what was about to come my way, so I braced myself. I felt afraid as I stood alone, certain that the shadow had come for me.
“Deep breath” I told myself. I slid my hand inside my bag and wrapped my fingers around the handle of my revolver. I stood alone and felt that sadness that accompanies loneliness. The massive dark shadow crept closer. The closer the shadow crept, the more fear and sadness washed over me. My mind began to twist and turn and tell me things that I didn’t want to hear. My chest trembled as I gasped for air.
Standing alone, under the hot Texas sun, I knew I had to act quickly. If I let the darkness engulf me, if I surrendered to the fear and loneliness that the shadow carried, then the strong, Texas woman who lives deep in my soul would not survive. I slid my finger onto the trigger, took a deep breath, swallowed my fear, extended my arm outward, revolver in hand, and felt the recoil as the crack of my weapon shattered the quiet. Just once.
The shadow crumbled to the ground like a demolished skyscraper, and from the shadow’s dust arose a golden haze of calm beauty that sparkled beneath the scorching sky. With a gust of warm wind, the dust disappeared and the anxiety fell from my shoulders. I blew the smoke from my Smith and Wesson and placed it back in my bag. I pulled out my sketchbook, leaned back against the gallery door, gazed down the empty street, and began to illustrate the hard, rugged beauty that suddenly surrounded me.