Art In Word
She crossed an ocean to help - and discovered her true self along the way.
Devasted by the horrors of World War 1, artist Anna Coleman Ladd restored dignity to disfigured soldiers. Her life-like masks reveal hope and dignity.
"An unforgettable adventure that will linger long after the last page.
Perfect for readers of
The Alice Network, The Paris Library, Women Who Changed History
Shattered Faces brings to life the extraordinary, nearly forgotten story of American sculptress Anna Coleman Ladd, whose courage and compassion transformed the lives of soldiers disfigured in the Great War. In 1917, Anna leaves her comfortable life—and her two young daughters—to cross the ocean and offer something no one else could: a chance for wounded men to reclaim their dignity.In Paris, she establishes the groundbreaking Studio for Portrait Masks, where she and a small team of artists craft lifelike, hand painted copper masks modeled from pre injury photographs. These masks allow soldiers to walk the streets without fear or shame, restoring not just their faces, but their sense of identity and place in the world.Set against wartime Paris and the upheaval of a world on the brink of change, Shattered Faces follows Anna’s evolution into a resilient, determined woman whose quiet heroism reshapes the lives of everyone she touches. Rich with historical detail and emotional depth, this is a story of healing, identity, and the human spirit’s ability to endure.
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I create stories and art that celebrate the beauty of language, the endurance of the human spirit, and the overlooked events that reveal who we are.
Laurence Hutson
Visual Epilogue
Storyboard of the Journey
Meet The Author
Laurence Hutson, a practicing artist and writer, values the written word as a powerful tool for creating visual experiences that reach a broader audience than individual artworks can. While retelling Anna Coleman Ladd's story, the vivid characters and location elements brought her back to life.
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For this novel, extensive research into the process of making portrait masks, combined with the personal knowledge of metal plating, resulted in a detailed account of the steps involved in their creation. Absent from the historical record, this layer provides a more compelling vision and insight into the determination of the artis teams in restoring these injured soldiers to their former lives--- a heartfelt tribute to an almost forgotten woman in history.
SHATTERED FACES is available for film and limited series development
This project offers a visually rich, emotionally grounded narrative rooted in true historical innovation.
Producers and development teams seeking prestige historical drama with strong character arcs are invited to inquire.