Fleur Palau, Renowned Fine Artist, Delivers a Heartwarming New Tale With The Adventures of Roberto Rabbit: Roberto in Love
Fleur Palau, fine artist living and working in New Hampshire, USA devotes her life to art. The theme of her paintings and her books which she illustrates has always been in the vein of magical realism. Against the backdrop of the Italian countryside, her characters on canvas and in her books reveal a commonality which is the exploration of human existence.
Much of her life has been spent in Italy and of course with rabbits who were an inspiration for images and storytelling.
She is a second generation artist and studied formally in NYC atThe National Academy of Design, NYC.
Fleur Palau returns with another enchanting story in The Adventures of Roberto Rabbit: Roberto in Love, a whimsical tale designed to delight readers of all ages. Following the success of Roberto and the Perfect Pizza, Palau once again invites readers into the irresistible world of Roberto, a small brown rabbit whose spirit is far larger than his size.
At the heart of this gentle adventure is Roberto’s declaration: “I am small, but I am big.” His journey begins in the dusty town of Pietrasanta, Italy, and unfolds across late nineteenth-century Italy and France. Although fantastical in nature, the story carries universal truths that resonate today. This isn’t only Roberto’s adventure. It is also the tale of another important figure whose identity remains purposefully hidden to preserve the surprises lovingly woven into the narrative, similar to a well-kept Christmas pudding secret.
Your paintings and books are described as magical realism. Share your backstory.
The definition of ‘magical realism’ was an afterthought. It came upon me unawares. When you walk the creative path, the destination is never known or even the objective. One follows one’s muse minute by minute, day by day, month by month, year by year, and gradually you find your own voice. A theme emerges, a point of view, a feeling. Sometimes a character or even a place surprises you and leads you to new unexpected places and you follow.
How did the Rabbit Series begin?
Looking back, I see how revolutionary in the creative sense, was my decision to get my son Giulio, a small, brown rabbit at a country fair in early spring. At the time, we lived on a dead end road, in the mountains. Living in comparative isolation, this creature became part of our family pretty quickly. He went with us on walks. He lounged in front of the fire in the evenings, and explored the terraced vineyards behind the house on his own, returning always. We got to know him and loved him. Slowly he became the subject of my paintings and it went on from there to develop more and more into an entire world called Fleur’s Rabbit World. I learned so much from the little creature who demonstrated courage and a pragmatic sensibility and who loved us in return. The mysterious nature of this brown rabbit intrigued me. I began putting jackets on them and creating impossible situations on canvas. The ideas kept appearing to me in quick succession and coincidentally people loved them.
When we returned to the States after ten years in Italy, I was well on my way to creating a body of work called The Rabbit World Series. And that is how it all began. A little boy and a lop-eared brown rabbit.
Tell us about the fabulous stories of Roberto Rabbit in your first book, The Perfect Pizza.
In recent years, I began to write short pieces about a rabbit called Roberto. Eventually Roberto and the Perfect Pizza, a picture book, was born. Coming from the fine arts, as a painter, the imagery came first in telling the story and the writing came next, supporting the illustrations.
Who does Roberto meet on his journey?
Roberto and the Perfect Pizza is a simple story of a rabbit who leaves home and travels the world in pursuit of a dream. His voyage takes him far and wide, meeting numerous other animals who for the most part were helpful and mentors to little Roberto in his search for the perfect pizza. He meets a kindly elephant, an ostrich, two flying rabbits, and a scary cat. But I will say no more. For if I continue, I will spoil the ending!
What do you want young people to know about Italy?
The setting of my books often includes scenes from Tuscany, Italy as I had lived there for so many years and I know it well. I hope my love of the people and their kind and generous spirit comes through in my stories.
Tell us about The Adventures of Roberto Rabbit: Roberto in Love.
In my latest book, The Adventures of Roberto Rabbit: Roberto in Love, my process was different. The writing dictated the imagery and it is a chapter book with illustrations by myself at the beginning of each chapter. The chapters are such that it is easy to read, one at a time and not feel overwhelmed.
Again Roberto travels, this time with his friend Amber. The story is a bit more complex and the language more demanding than the first Roberto book. In the slow development of their friendship one is reminded of the theme of kindness, resilience, hope and love.
Roberto would always say, “I am small, but I am big.” Share the themes.
Roberto would always say, “I am small but I am big.” I feel whether we are children or adults we experience at times a sense of vulnerability in this sometimes strange, cold and increasingly stressful world that we have created and that at times, can leave us with a feeling of disempowerment. Roberto’s repeated phrase is the badge of courage that we must all wear!
What is your mission for your books?
My stories live in the context of a world of magical realism which give me freedom of invention to create a world in which there is joy and empowerment to dare to believe in our own dreams triumphant. That is my mission.
Where are you currently exhibiting? What’s next?
Always something exciting! I just finished the first draft of my next The Adventures of Roberto Rabbit Series, entitled: Roberto the Magical Musician ~ A Rabbit Lost in Time, written and illustrated by myself, and is also a chapter book.
Here is a preview of an excerpt from the first chapter: She hesitated, holding her breath and listening as if by some chance she was mistaken and the noise was coming only from the clicking of the radiators. No, it was definitely coming from the closet. She heard a soft breath, an impatient rustle. Sitting on the bed with her legs tucked under her, she slowly pondered her situation.
I am now at work on the accompanying illustrations and editing the story. I see so many images that I must catch before they elude me. And so it goes!
My work is currently represented by Levy Gallery NH Art Association in Portsmouth NH, Bayview Artisan Gallery in Meredith NH and Limner gallery Hudson NY.
The Roberto Adventures are currently available on Amazon.
