For Joan Zephier art has been a lifelong influence on her. For 10 years, she and another artist owned and operated an artist studio. During that time, she had three daughters and an extremely active addiction to alcohol. Joan was able to get into recovery from her addictions in 2007, but her art was put on the wayside in pursuit of staying sober. The pull back to the arts would not stay quiet. In the Spring of 2013, Joan pursued her dream of creating and participating in an addiction and recovery art show. As the representative of Tallgrass Recovery & Sober Living Homes, she created the Recovery Art Show. The idea behind the show was to raise awareness, to help erase the stigma of addiction, and to tell the story of recovery. Moving into its 7th year, RAC has continued to grow.
In 2016, Joan won the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for Visual Arts for her work with area high school students in creating art that tells their struggles and triumphs of their lives. With not only addiction but also many other mental health issues.
Joan works in many mediums to express her life, always seeking to communicate a spiritual and human connection in her art. Her continued focus remaining on the stories of herself and others. Creating pieces that show both the struggles and hard won victories we all have in life.
What are you reading right now?
The Corner by David Simon
Who is your favorite author?
Man, this is a tough one. Probably David Sedaris but I also love Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie & Flannery O’Conner. Honestly, they are all my favorites. I do not force myself to continue any book that doesn’t grab me in the first couple chapters. I fall madly in love with all authors and their creations and go through a mourning period when I finish a book.
What book are you too nervous to begin?
Not sure there is one.
Favorite TV or film adaption of a book?
The Book Thief.
Car reading: yea or nay?
When driving, no. When riding, always.
Which do you prefer: audiobook, ebook or physical book?
Ebook. My eyes are old and I like to read in the tub and in bed-I don’t want to wear glasses in either. Plus I am all about instant gratification.
What is your favorite reading spot?
Bed.
What is your preference when it comes to books: new or used?
Yes.
"It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"?
Both.
If you could have coffee with any author - dead or alive - who would it be? Why?
Steven King, it is because of him that I became a reader. I owe him at least a cup of coffee.
Probably more like I owe him my first born but I don’t think either of them would be down with that.