I find it curious to see how the World views "living life to the fullest"? I have discovered that phrase to mean an entirely different thing, Do you have to live on the edge to feel alive? Do you have to be jumping out of airplanes to feel alive? Personally I feel I live life to the fullest by learning to appreciate the little things, relaxing and reflecting on life is how I feel the most alive.

COULD WE BE HURTING OURSELVES AS PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA BY BUYING INTO THE SAME HYPE AS THE REST OF SOCIETY? ARE WE AFRAID THAT WE ARE THE MONSTER'S THAT HOLLYWOOD CONTINUES TO PORTRAY US AS? SOMETIME'S I AM AFARID PEOPLE THINK I AM SOME SORT OF BOOGEYMAN.BUT GUESS WHAT WORLD I'M NOT I AM NOT A DISEASE I AM A PERSON DEALING WITH A DISEASE THAT AS I SPEAK CONTINUES TO FRIGHTEN PEOPLE WHO BUY INTO THIS NOTION THAT WE ARE SOMEHOW RUNNING AROUND ALL HOMICIDAL.

"ME VS ME" 11X14 ACRYLIC

I have just emerged from an extremely dark time in my life. This is not the first and I am sure it won't be the last. Life has a funny way of testing us. When I finally emerged from what seemed to be the abyss I realized how good life can be and how easily I can forget that very fact. A bad time really makes me appreciate the good ones.

"POSTER CHILD FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA?"

I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT AMANDA BYNES IS DOING WELL AFTER HER PUBLIC BATTLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA. I HOPE AFTER SHE HAS MADE PEACE WITH THE FACT THAT SHE HAS THIS ILLNESS THAT MAYBE SHE WILL HELP OTHERS WHO SUFFER IN SILENCE KNOW THAT IT IS OK TO HAVE SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BREAK DOWN SOME OF THIS STIGMA. MAYBE I AM JUST DREAMING BUT YOU NEVER KNOW?

I did a show at the Niagara Square recently and a piece of work I was exhibiting came across a girl that was truly moved by what she saw. Unfortuneatly the piece reminded her of her Father who happened to of died in a boating accident. The piece was "We're in this together" the art depicts 2 people in a boat in the middle of nowhere holding onto each other. The connection was powerful and the other women she worked with got together and bought the work for her. I do art hoping for these moments. I love it when my art goes to a place where it genuinely will be appreciated.

Thanks to Dean Patricia and the Canadian Mental Health Association for making this wonderful event possible, We need more opportunities like this one to break down the barriers that still exist in our society towards the mentally ill. It was an honour to show with fellow artists especially my good friend David Carmichael

Pictured above are Dean Tedesco and Patricia of the Niagara Gallery without their generousity and support none of this would have happened. On the right is a little sample of my work at this years mental health week showing

From March 6th-the 20th 2009 I showed my work alongside fellow artist Karen Meager at the Niagara Gallery. Thank you is in order to Dean and Patricia who hosted this great event and I am always in awe of the great talent this gallery has to offer. Far left is me and a great friend and loyal fan Carlos Mendez pictured on the right www.niagaragallery@cogeco.net