I have long been in awe of Laura Joh Rowland who is not only a fabulous writer but an extremely talented artist.In celebration of the release of her newest book, The Shogun’s Daughter, I’ve asked Laura to talk to us about her twin passions: writing and painting.
I wanted to be an artist before I wanted to be a writer. For the first 30-some years of my life, I drew and painted, and for awhile I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator. I was diverted into writing when I took a class on writing and illustrating children’s books. My path took another turn when I discovered that I was born to be a mystery author. Drawing and painting fell by the wayside while I wrote the first five or six books in my series about a samurai detective in 17th century Japan.
But I never lost my passion for visual art. It showed in my books. I love writing vivid descriptions of my characters and settings. I eventually found my way back to painting, and I discovered that just as my experience as an artist had influenced my writing, my experience as a writer influenced my artwork.
In my early days as an artist, I thought that a painting should progress from an idea that sprang full-fledged from my head to a polished drawing and then in smooth, unerring steps directly to the finished piece. But that never happened. I was often frustrated and I abandoned many a project after a shaky start. With a few novels under my belt, I began to approach painting in the same way I approach writing. I scribble sketches that are akin to jotting down story ideas. I do a rough drawing, like an outline for a novel, and fill it in with details, like a synopsis. I take the painting through many “drafts.” Since I paint in oils, mistakes are correctable. I don’t give up as easily.
The synergy between my writing and my painting continues. Read my new book, The Shogun’s Daughter, for my written scenes of 18th century Japan. I’m working on a series of tarot card images with a New Orleans theme. Here are my preliminary “drafts” and the final painting of The Lovers.
You can find Laura on her facebook page, where she occasionally will share her art work. So now you have two assigments. “Friend” Laura on Facebook and pick up a copy of The Shogun’s Daughter, the latest book in a most excellent series.
Terrie
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