A Portrait of the Author as an Artist, by Laura Joh Rowland

Writing stories wasn't the first love of my life.

My first love was art--as in drawing, painting, and wasting tons of pencils, paints, sketchpads, and canvases.  I've taken more art classes than fiction-writing classes.  I've even worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer.  I quit all that when I started writing mystery lovels (my latest is The Fire Kimono), but I've recently rediscovered my love of art.  For the past few years I've been a student at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art.  The instructors there are the best I've ever had.  It also has a wonderful community of artists.  I've learned so much.  Here's an oil painting I did, of an antique blouse.  If you're looking for a place to study art, I highly recommend The New Orleans Academy of Fine Art.  Check out their website at noafa.com.