Creation Of Calm - A Cancer Survivor's Sketchbook Story by Mark Fraley

Fall Fling continues with Creation of Calm. This is the story of one man's journey through cancer, and reoccurring cancer. It is emotional and in some areas, beautiful, and amazing. The sketches are poignant and incredibly well worked into the real life story. I've dealt with cancer more closely than I care to have, though not like Mr. Fraley. This man went through so much, and brought so very very much out of it including his relationship with God. 

I think this book would be excellent for anyone with a friend or family member who has dealt with cancer. 

Carol :) 

The Details:
Memoir/ Art/ Personal Growth/ Suffering/ Inspirational/ Gift Book Paperback 6" x 8.25" 168 Pages Illustrated: black ink sketches color collages ISBN: 9780989101424 View Sample Pages Retail Price: $13.99 Available from: Amazon.com BN.com Cladach.com The Story: "When we are broken and thrown about, our God takes us ~ right where we are ~ and shapes us into His artwork."~From the Book As a young husband and father, Mark learned he had cancer. Through two bouts of the disease that spanned four years, he chose "the posture of a seeker." Even when pain and treatments stole his ability to work or focus for periods of time, he captured moments of his journey ~ as images, thoughts, and prayers ~ in a growing collection of sketchbooks. Here is the result: honest art, wrenching emotions, a little humor, and authentic spirituality. In the author's own words: 'The act of seeking is essential to life. When faced with turmoil and struggle, I often take the posture of a seeker. In the pages of this book I have compiled a series of sketchbook entries that span six years and tell the story of my battles with cancer. I have re-drawn and re-worked them to fit this format; however, the message put forward is intact: This act of seeking was one that revealed a loving God at work when everything in my life appeared to be crumbling.' Enjoy this very personal, easy-to-read book and give it as a thoughtful, encouraging gift. REVIEWS: "A poignant and thought-provoking response to the kind of health crisis that can turn a life inside out and leave a person bitter and angry. Fraley never claims not to have been afraid, and he fought off misplaced guilt and shame on a regular basis. Yet he writes with compassion, characteristic honesty, and the kind of tender empathy that only someone who has walked the road of cancer can feel and extend to others. ... Whether for yourself or a loved one, and whether you've experienced cancer personally or not ... the directness with which he writes about his family, pain, faith, and discovery of art as a medium through which to filter and process all his experiences, will touch your heart and leave you encouraged." ~ Eleanore Trupkiewicz on Goodreads.com "Written from the perspective of a normal dude, who can draw dang good. He writes about the journey as if he's talking to us and finds some pretty cool deeper meaning behind life because of how cancer has made him look at it. It's an easy and thoughtful read. And the drawings are pretty much flawless." ~ Ross Boone, author and illustrator "A unique book that can be read on many levels. The drawings alone - touching, humorous, and professional - are reason enough to enjoy this book. Fraley's sparse prose complements the drawings and takes us through his double battle with cancer. Furthermore, Fraley shares in a personal way his experiences and feelings of balancing his life as a young father and husband with the trials of hospitalization and chemotherapy. Finally he leaves us with a message of hope and victory sustained by his deep faith in God. I highly recommend this book." ~ Judith Pex, author "I really enjoyed this unique book. I found it inspiring and thought provoking - made me want to start a sketchbook journal." ~ Nina Rattle onAmazon.com The Author/Artist: Mark Fraley grew up in France as a child of Christian missionaries. From a young age he drew countless pictures, including cars, jets, and dogs. This passion for putting pen to paper came into full bloom when faced with the challenge of his life, cancer. His three kids and his wife brought the calm needed to face this battle with courage, and God placed a deep-rooted peace that remained beyond just the moment of fervent prayer. He works as an early-childhood educator in Colorado.More of his sketches and collages may be viewed at http://markfraley.blogspot.com/?view=snapshot Mark will be showing his collages (and book) at the Broomfield (Colorado) Auditorium gallery from January 2 to February 10, 2015. Mark's collage art has been shown at the Bemis Spring Arts show in Seattle, Washington and at the Children's Museum in Everett, Washington. Prints of his collages may be purchased here: http://www.fulcrumgallery.com/a117163/Mark-Fraley.htm and here: http://www.greatbigcanvas.com/category/fraley-mark/

Samples of Art from the Book: