Heart of the Spirit Man — George Mendoza

Michael's Seymour's fantastical journey through the dream world continues when a mysterious figure reaches across the veil between planes and steals his heart-literally. In a race against time, Michael gives chase to this mad god across the ever-twisting realm of Shook in a desperate bid to reclaim his stolen organ before it stops beating for good. As the elaborate game of cat and mouse unfolds across blazing deserts and frigid mountain peaks, Michael must face the possibility that his may be his last adventure unless destiny has something else in mind. At the age of 15, George Mendoza was diagnosed with a rare, incurable, degenerative eye disease, fundus flavimaculatus. Effects of the disease caused him to lose his central vision, keeping only a gray foggy fringe on the periphery. In the center of his view he sees what he calls kaleidoscope eyes-intense and changing visual images of fiery suns, brightly burning eyes and colorful pinwheels. George went on to become a world-class runner and Paralympic contender. In 1980, he broke the world record for blind athletes, running the mile in 4 minutes and 28 seconds. In the early 1990's, he began to paint full-time. Ironically, Mendoza's paintings spring from the loss of his eyesight and a very special vision that took its place. Mendoza works full time as a writer and an artist. Currently, his exhibition Colors of the Wind is a national Smithsonian affiliates traveling art exhibit. He lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is founder and president of the Wise Tree Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation for the promotion for the arts. He is a motivational speaker and is currently developing a play based on his children's book Colors of the Wind.Learn more at www.georgemendoza.com