I’m so excited about today’s Character Interview with Davida, star of author Karen Ingalls’ fictionalized biography centering on the passionate and long-lasting love affair between artist’s model Davida Johnson Clark and renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Davida served as the inspiration for the artist’s most famous works, including Diana and Amor Caritas. Following the interview is contact information for author Karen Ingalls and buy links for her wonderful book. Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited. I picked up my copy. Grab your copy today!
AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVIDA
1. You were born in Sweden yet you and your mother traveled to America. How and why did you leave your homeland?
My father had died unexpectedly while he and his best friend were out in the forest cutting down trees. A tragic mistake was made and my father was crushed when a tree fell on him. My mother could not run our small farm by herself and she did not want to marry anyone even though she had some suitors. Her sister had moved to America some years prior and invited us to come and live with her in Hoboken, New Jersey.
2. If you were living in Hoboken, how did you meet Mr. Saint-Gaudens who lived in New York City?
My aunt was a housekeeper and cook for his family. The Saint-Gaudens had a Christmas party one year to which all employees and their families were invited. That evening was the first time I met both he and his wife.
3. Was it love at first sight?
Oh no. I did feel an attraction which at the time I did not fully understand. He was rather forward with me when he touched my face and expressed how beautiful I was. I remember blushing and embarrassed and my mother was so upset she grabbed my hand and escorted us out immediately.
4. How and when did you become his model?
Shortly after the Christmas party he suddenly appeared at our front door. He invited my mother and me to come to his studio, see his work, and meet his wife and brother. Mother had a private conversation with Mr. Saint-Gaudens after we went to his studio and she made some kind of an agreement with him for me to be his model.
5. Tell us about your relationship as a mistress and accept the fact that Mr. Saint-Gaudens would not marry you.
Gus and I had many discussions about his marriage and how a divorce could affect his career and how well his wife, Gussie would cope with it. I loved Gus so much I did not want to be a detriment to his career or life with Gussie. In time, she learned about our relationship and came to accept it as best she could.
The hardest part of being his mistress was how it affected our son, Louis Paul. He was called names and scorned by his schoolmates because he was born out of wedlock. Gus did not spend a lot of time with us, which was also difficult for Louis to develop a good father-son relationship with his father.
Gus was very kind and generous. He was a good man and I loved him with all my heart and soul. He did the best he could basically keeping two families going. Once I had Louis I did not do any modeling, but Gus financially provided for us.
6. Is there anything else you would like to say?
Just that Gus was a very gifted artist whose sculptures captured the hearts of all Americans and many Europeans from the 1880’s on. His great sculptures can be found in Paris, New York City, Boston, and Chicago. He is most recognized for designing the 20-dollar gold piece, which even now in 2018, coin collectors declare as the most beautiful coin ever minted in the United States.
I am very proud of his achievements. His friend and contemporary, Rodin admired Gus’s work and was in awe of his statue of Amor Caritas the first time he saw it at Paris Exhibition.
And finally, I want to thank you for this interview. I know interviews like this will help to relieve the stigma put on my son and me. I was an adult, made my choices, and I take no shame that I unconditionally loved Gus. My son, Louis suffered more and did not have a choice as to who his parents would be. Louis and I were always very close and I know he has never had any hard feelings towards me. He never understood why Gus could not, did not choose to marry me and was not willing to risk his career.
Pick up a copy of Karen’s book online:
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Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
What a wonderful interview! I loved Davida, and this post adds even more richness to the beautiful story. Congratulations, Karen, and thank you Flossie for hosting today! 🙂
I know I’ll enjoy Davida as well. Thank you for visiting, Gwen!
Gwen, I am glad you enjoyed Davida. It is a beautiful love story and thank you for your compliment.
What a poignant interview. Bravo to Karen and thanks to Flossie for hosting!
You always describe things so well, Mae. Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you for stopping by today. I wrote the interview as I “heard” Davida speak to me. May sound crazy, but it was true for me.
I really enjoyed this interview. Thanks for sharing and thank you, Flossie, for hosting!
I found it very enjoyable as well. Thanks for your comment, Laura!
Laura, I am glad you enjoyed the interview. Davida is my favorite character in any book or story I have written.
Hi Karen, Is this story based on your family? This is an interesting interview.
Flossie, thank you for hosting Karen and sharing the story.
Isn’t the interview so interesting, Shirley? Thank you for stopping by!
Shirley, Augustus Saint-Gaudens was my great-grandfather and Davida my great-grandmother. The story is based on fact.
So glad to see you getting the spotlight, Karen!
Thanks for hosting, Flossie.
Thank you for stopping by, Beem!
Thank you, Beem. I am quite honored and humbled to be in the spotlight.
Brilliant interview. Thanks for hosting Flossie.
Gordon, I am glad you enjoyed the interview. Your support is always appreciated.
Thank you for popping in!
Thank you, Flossie for hosting me on this day of my blog tour. I appreciate your support.
Karen, it was my pleasure to host you and Davida. Congratulations on your well deserved spotlight.
Davida’s interview was brilliant. Her love for Gus shines through no matter what. Thank you for hosting Flossie.
Mary, I am glad you enjoyed the interview with Davida. Thank you for your seeing and commenting on Davida’s love for Gus.
Mary, thank you for your lovely comment.
I love this Interview! I cant wait to start reading Davida tonight. Great post Flossie.
Denise, I respect your opinion and look forward to reading your review. I enjoyed writing the interview and once again, I “heard” Davida speaking to me.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
I love the interview and I LOVED reading DAVIDA, Karen. Thanks for hosting, Flossie.
I am glad you enjoyed Davida. It was my favorite book to write. Maretha, I appreciate your comment and all your support.
Thanks so much for popping in, Maretha!
Davida’s personality shines through – you’ve brought her to life in this interview.
Davida was a sweet, loving, and innocent-like woman who loved Gus and her son unconditionally. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Wendy.