The Story Behind Brushed Off by M. Lee Musgrave



Brushed Off

By M. Lee Musgrave





Originally from Perth, Australia I studied in Los Angeles primarily with artists Hans Burkhardt and Fritz Faiss. Hans was studio partner of Arshile Gorky. Fritz studied at the Bauhaus with Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky. Fritz, Hans and I were close friends until their passing. I hold a Master of Art degree from California State University, Los Angeles and a B.A. (art) from CSUN. I was given a full time art teaching position before I completed my BA and a solo exhibition before I completed my MA. I’m also the recipient of an American National Endowment for Arts Fellowship for painting and my artwork has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions world-wide. I specialize in abstract painting and photography for which I have received several awards. As a former Professor of Art and curator for 30 years, I organized hundreds of exhibitions at museums, galleries, and municipal centers involving artists, collectors, critics, gallerists, art professionals and a vast array of related enthusiasts. My writings about the art, artists and collectors associated with those exhibitions contributed to their success and to my ability to relate that world to others. I lived in Los Angeles for 40 years including in Malibu Canyon and Santa Monica.

     I do not state all of this to boast or brag, but rather to inform readers of where my inspiration for creative writing initiates from.

     In other words, those many experiences I had and my ongoing personal art activities inform my writing about LA’s exciting art community. My novel, Brushed Off, grew from me expanding and enriching encounters, incidents and happenings I observed and or participated in during more than 50 years as an artist.
     As a teenager, I first became interested in noir mysteries by watching late night TV. Several local channels showed movies from the 1930s, 40s and 50s photographed mostly in Los Angeles. The host of those programs would often talk about the locations individual scenes were shot at and about the books the scripts were based on. I immediately bought every book they mentioned. As to which mystery writers I admire, there are many. That said, I especially enjoy Raymond Chandler’s approach to story, character and location. Chandler started writing late in life—while I’ve written many things about art and artists for specific exhibitions, I too begun writing novels late in life. Which has given me a broad array of experiences to draw from. Chandler was born in Chicago but was raised in England. I was born in Australia but raised in Los Angeles. Chandler traveled extensively as have I. Brushed Off and my short story prequels can be read as morality tales, but beneath the crime and social tension I strive to critique societal greed and big money while exposing levels of individual goodness and zeal to do the honorable thing when the chips are down. My protagonists are principled and resilient. They follow a code of honor that stands out as endearingly old-fashioned in this fast paced world. Further I enjoy making sure that my plots are engaging and worked out in a fulfilling way that includes astute give and take dialog and perceptive insights to solve part of the mystery.

 



Artist James Terra and his married lover Nicole find themselves in a tangled web while searching for the killer of LAs hottest artists. Homicide detective Cisco Rivas ask James for help with LAs zany art community. The case quickly turns into a quagmire of intrigue and vicious jealousy amongst the dazzling talent and wealth of schizophrenic Los Angeles. James wants Nicole to leave her husband. When another artist is murdered, she joins the hunt for the killer. A leading art collector is attacked. Cisco is pressured by influential city movers and shakers. Young emerging socialite Camille is up to her neck in strife so James and Nicole make a deal to protect her. Cisco discovers a smuggled exotic drug used by all the suspects including a stealthy porn star. James keeps everyone from knowing his health is precarious. The killer and a secret accomplice targets James, Nicole and Camille.

PURCHASE LINK: Amazon 





Author/Artist, M. Lee Musgrave holds a Master of Art degree from CSU, Los Angeles. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for Arts Fellowship. His artwork has been in solo and group exhibitions world-wide. As a Professor of Art and curator he organized hundreds of exhibitions involving artists, collectors and a variety of related enthusiast. Those many experiences and his ongoing personal art activities inform his writing about LA’s exciting art community.

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