About me
The creative process fascinates me. I have worked in many different art disciplines through the years.
I spent my youth in theater and dance. I still love both to this day. The magic that transports audiences to another reality when director, actors, sets, lights, and costumes all come together is so powerful.
Now I have taken a quieter and somewhat more solitary road. A writer and painter spends many hours in front of a computer or canvas, listening and watching the elements of each art unfold. Paint and words also have the power to transport their audiences, sometimes in a much more personal way than the performing arts.
For me, writing begins when a character starts a conversation with me in my head. I talk, out loud, to all my characters constantly. This character tells me about a challenge he’s facing. Other characters join the conversation and they tell how they are helping or hindering my protagonist.
I listen for their inflections, watch their actions and reactions as they play off each other. And, much like rehearsals for a play, each time I edit a chapter the characters reveal more of their mannerisms, personalities, and dress. Final setting details complete the story, and I am ready to share it with my readers.
I started writing the Grace series when my children were young, inspired by their experiences, successes, and failures and by the books they were reading. My writing has matured with my kids through the years to include young adult and adult stories.
Painting is similar to writing. The painting's subject matter is the plot. Its focal point is the protagonist. Color, brush stroke, lights and shadows, serve as the supporting characters. Together, they too transport the viewer to an alternate reality.
My books are here. For my paintings, visit www.joanwittlerarts.com.
I spent my youth in theater and dance. I still love both to this day. The magic that transports audiences to another reality when director, actors, sets, lights, and costumes all come together is so powerful.
Now I have taken a quieter and somewhat more solitary road. A writer and painter spends many hours in front of a computer or canvas, listening and watching the elements of each art unfold. Paint and words also have the power to transport their audiences, sometimes in a much more personal way than the performing arts.
For me, writing begins when a character starts a conversation with me in my head. I talk, out loud, to all my characters constantly. This character tells me about a challenge he’s facing. Other characters join the conversation and they tell how they are helping or hindering my protagonist.
I listen for their inflections, watch their actions and reactions as they play off each other. And, much like rehearsals for a play, each time I edit a chapter the characters reveal more of their mannerisms, personalities, and dress. Final setting details complete the story, and I am ready to share it with my readers.
I started writing the Grace series when my children were young, inspired by their experiences, successes, and failures and by the books they were reading. My writing has matured with my kids through the years to include young adult and adult stories.
Painting is similar to writing. The painting's subject matter is the plot. Its focal point is the protagonist. Color, brush stroke, lights and shadows, serve as the supporting characters. Together, they too transport the viewer to an alternate reality.
My books are here. For my paintings, visit www.joanwittlerarts.com.