Some of our NAWA Signature Artists are also recognized authors who have published their work in books, articles, and papers both online, and offline. Their writing is as diverse as their artwork, covering fiction, non-fiction, academic research, poetry, children’s books and more.

A standard set of questions has been proposed to each of our Artist/Authors. These are Katherine’s replies.

Kathleen Zimmerman

NAWA is pleased to introduce Kathleen Zimmerman.

What you are focused upon?

In the beginning I was focused on just sharing my art practice. As an artist, I needed to communicate with others my vision, my inspiration and who I was. Then it became another creative tool to communicate a train of thought that had triggered a series of sculptures, drawings, and prints, that I had done after graduating from Art School.I found I wanted to create work that had meaning to me not just what was the current trend in art or what someone else thought art should be. So, I began writing a short story for my own benefit to clarify my thinking which expanded into Magic Circles. My prolonged interest in philosophy and mythology obviously had its influence and led me to write a mythical tale. Spirits, forces of nature, and circles of life, make up the cast of characters. They take the reader on their journey of discovery looking at basic beliefs about the universe, religion, corruption, and the stages of love and life.

Who you’re writing for?

Originally it was for patrons and those interested in what I was doing as a visual artist. Then with the fiction

writing, it was

just to clarify my thinking on life, love, etc. It evolved into a mythical tale using animal tales/poems that I found I wanted to share with a larger audience.

How can people find your work, online, libraries, etc.?

The early books can be found on my website, Blurb and my galleries. My latest book is finished and ready to publish. I am deciding how best to proceed with it. I could self-publish again, but it is more of a book/book. I have talked to a local press receiving some good pointers, released some initial readings on YouTube, been invited and attended a poetry reading/exhibition, and may submit it to Pen & Brush when they are accepting literary submissions. Not sure yet. I did send the last three poems to Patrice Boyes as she requested.

Anything you can think of to bring your work alive to people and make them want to read it?

Kathleen Zimmerman Drawing

My visual artwork since the writing was all inspired by it. Also doing live readings/exhibitions are a good way to connect with people.

Do you do book readings, promo tours, library lectures, etc,?

One live book reading so far, no promo tours but sold some books at exhibitions, I have not approached libraries. Not sure if they are of interest outside the art world.

When did you write your works? 

I started writing books on my art practice as part of an art business class back in 2019. Published Look to Nature and China through an Artists Eyes in 2020. Published ABC…The Art of Contemporary Artist, Kathleen Zimmerman in 2021. I have been working on Magic Circles for quite some (a few years off and on) but finished it just recently. I would like to publish it this year.

You can visit Kathleen’s website HERE to learn more about her art.