Georgia O'Keeffe's personal mystique is as intriguing and enduring as her bold, brilliant canvases. Portrait of an Artist is the first full account of her exceptional life--from her girlhood and early days as a controversial art teacher, to her discovery by the pioneering photographer of the New York avant-garde, Alfred Stieglitz, to her seclusion in the New Mexico desert where she lived until her death at ninety-eight.

Equipped with passion, steadfastness, and three years poring over research, former Newsweek reporter Laurie Lisle finally shines a light on one of the most significant and innovative twentieth century artists.