It’s Meet the Author Monday! Each week we meet a new author and get to know a little about them, their writing process, publishing experience, and tips for other writers. Today we’re talking to Gwen Sarandrea, author of “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin County Civic Center: Commemorating 50 Years“.
About Gwen Sarandrea:
Gwen Sarandrea is a photographer, author, artist and retired counselor whose work blends architecture, healing, and creative expression. A natural clairvoyant with an M.A. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, she spent over 40 years counseling individuals, couples, and groups before retiring in 2021. Writing has been an extension of her healing journey, from teaching the art of Montage Mirage to chronicling miraculous moments from intention groups.
A longtime San Rafael resident, Gwen’s admiration for Frank Lloyd Wright inspired her to create the only dedicated photo study of the Marin County Civic Center, capturing its architectural brilliance. Whether through photography, memoirs, or artistic storytelling, her books offer readers a journey of transformation and inspiration.
About Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin County Civic Center: Commemorating 50 Years:
Experience the final masterpiece of Frank Lloyd Wright like never before.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin County Civic Center: Commemorating 50 Years is a visual celebration of one of the most distinctive public buildings in American architecture. This deluxe 8×10 edition features 337 high-resolution color photographs, beautifully presented across large-format pages that capture every curve, angle, and intricate detail of this iconic National Historic Landmark. More than 60 years after its design, Wright’s visionary modernist approach remains ahead of its time.
This architecture photography book commemorative edition is ideal for lovers of modern architecture, architectural photography, and California design. It offers sweeping exterior views and intimate interior perspectives; from skylights to hallways, arches to atriums, each page showcases the artistry and innovation behind Wright’s final commissioned project.
This Frank Lloyd Wright book is the perfect:
- Gifts for architects, designers, and architecture students
- Modern architecture coffee table book
- Gift for design enthusiasts or history buffs
- Architectural design photo book for fans of Frank Lloyd Wright
Whether you’re adding to your personal library or gifting a fellow architecture lover, this book is a timeless keepsake — and a bold visual tribute to one of the most celebrated works of public architecture in the U.S.
Author Interview with Gwen Sarandrea:
- Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing is energizing when I’m inspired with something I want to express. I’ve always written journals.
- Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?
I most enjoyed photographing Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin County Civic Center for my photo book of the same name. Wandering through this architectural masterpiece with my camera was truly awe-inspiring. It was truly a process of discovery because surprises met me at every turn.
- Where do you get your inspiration?
I was inspired to create my first book, Montage Mirage Photo Tapestries by all the montages I created. Teaching how to transform selfies into gorgeous framed art work was fulfilling. The Healing House, the Gift of Dad’s Final Years is a heartfelt memoir of inviting my father to move from PA to CA to live with me. It details his transformation from a sedentary 80-year-old to a vibrant, alive senior along with my growth. I took him dancing and he established a relationship with a lovely lady. 4 years later, Hospice helped him die at home. I had a glorious vision of him on the other side after they removed the body! It would make a marvelous Hallmark movie.
- How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve self-published 6 books with a 7th in progress. It chronicles the miracles I’ve received from intention groups over 4 years.
- Is writing your full-time career?
Or would you like it to be? A natural clairvoyant with an MA in clinical/counseling psychology, I’m retired from 40+ years of being a psychotherapist.
Healing has been my career. Writing is one aspect of healing. I wrote each book without promoting them because I planned on focusing on presenting as an author after retirement.
- Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
All my work is original. Each book stands on its own. I’m planning to consolidate the two Dear One books into one.
- Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?
Currently, I’m working on a book called, Intention Magic. It chronicles the miracles I’ve received from Lynne McTaggart’s Power of 8 intention groups over 4 years. My first miracle happened the very first day of the first group I started.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I was a social dancer over a 30 year span. Mainly ballroom, country and Argentine Tango. I even took a tango tour to Buenos Aires years ago and hired a professional to dance with me all night.
- Do you listen to audiobooks? If so, are there any you’d recommend?
I’ve listened to audiobooks for years. I loved Lynne Twist’s, The Soul of Money, Michelle Obama’s, “Becoming.” My favorites are fantasies about magic like The House Witch Series. I enjoy the dramatic intonations of the voices.
To learn more about Gwen Sarandrea, here’s where you can find Her:
Website: https://gwensarandrea.net/
