A CANCER SURVIVOR’S SKETCHBOOK STORY
Written and Illustrated by Mark Fraley
Personal Memoir / Fine Art / Inspirational
“The act of seeking revealed a loving God at work when everything in my life appeared to be crumbling.”
As a young husband and father, Mark learned he had cancer. Through two bouts of cancer that spanned four years, Mark chose “the posture of a seeker.” Even when pain and treatments stole his ability to work or focus for periods of time, he found expression through his art, capturing moments of his journey as images, reflections, and prayers, in a growing collection of sketchbooks. Creation of Calm reveals the result: honest art, wrenching emotions, a sprinkling of humor, and authentic spirituality. A very personal, easy-to-read book. A thoughtful, encouraging gift for anyone facing cancer. Or for anyone grappling with faith during a time of suffering.
Paperback / 6″ x 8.25″ / 168 pp / black ink sketches & original color art / ISBN: 9780989101424
Read an EXCERPT from the book.
$13.99 / Buy Now:
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. 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, author, editor, blogger
“This unique book can be read on many levels. The drawings alone—touching, humorous, professional—are reason enough to enjoy this book. The sparse, poetic prose complements the drawings and takes us through his double battle with cancer. 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. He leaves us with a message of hope. I highly recommend this book.” −Judith Pex, author and hostile host
“Creation of Calm is a real, honest, transparent, raw look at a man’s journey through cancer. His journal entries and sketches expose his intimate thoughts and battles as he tries to be the best husband and father possible during his worst days. His creativity makes his battle come alive and reassures us of God’s faithfulness through it all! I can see this book used as a fantastic tool for those struggling with similar battles.” −John Fitzpatrick, pastor
Mark demonstrating his artistic process: