Moon Witch
Felicia Anrews
The Story
Amanda Munroe. She was known as "the witch." riverboat captain, gambler's wife-but most of all, as the independent beauty whose sharpshooting exploits set the frontier aflame...
Now widowed and wealthy, her heart turns farther West. to the wild San Francisco of the 80's, and the charm of Trevor Eagleton the taunting wheeler-dealer she must possess.
But desire has its price, and soon her affair with Trevor drives her deeper into a dangerous labyrinth of deceit where an old, deadly enemy lies waiting for revenge, and to a rendezvous where destiny shimmers beneath the moonlit Wyoming sky....
A Detail Worth Noticing
Sometimes inspiration is close to home—literally. The grand red-carpeted staircase in this painting was modeled on the staircase in the entry foyer of Elaine’s own home, where she proudly displayed her original romance paintings. Compare the two images and notice the unmistakable similarities: the vivid red carpeting, white balusters, and dark wooden handrail. Elaine transformed this familiar setting into an elegant ballroom scene, complete with crystal chandeliers, sweeping gowns, polished floors, and richly draped curtains. The contrast between the lively social gathering in the background and the intimate encounter on the staircase is striking. While the guests mingle just steps away, the couple seems to inhabit a world entirely their own. It’s a wonderful example of how Elaine combined careful observation, personal experience, and imagination to create a richly detailed moment of romantic tension.
Elaine's Artistry
Elaine understood that emotion is often communicated through the smallest details. A slight turn of the head, the placement of a hand, or the direction of a gaze can carry as much meaning as dramatic action. Here, her meticulous attention to posture, expression, and composition creates a scene rich with psychological complexity. The carefully researched costumes and elegant setting establish the historical world, while the quiet interaction between the figures draws us into their private story.