Child With Mannequin: The Standalone Novella

Magnificent saga of New Orleans culture and history told through the compelling eyes of a painting. In the early 20th century, the artist and matriarch, Ava Faubre, paints a visionary image of a child and Poirot. Later, her youngest daughter is born bearing an eerie resemblance to the child in the painting. Ava's daughter, River, honors the memory and works of her mother. An architect and preservationist, River (along with her lover, Mona) creates a special environment for French Quarter artists, over which the painting "rules." But "Child" is stolen by a troubled teenager from River's Royal Street apartment. Malou brings the painting home to his mother Eugenie, a long-time resident of the 9th Ward. When her son is imprisoned on another charge, she fears the painting will get him into trouble and turns it over to beautiful gallery owner and conservator of black New Orleans art, L’Reine Sorcière. She features the painting in her collection. Hurricane Katrina destroys the gallery and almost ruins the painting. Yet "Child" survives to "live" through other adventures, finally recognized as an historic City treasure. This semi-autobiographical story is part of Unspent Motion, the fifth published work of acclaimed author, Celeste Newbrough.