My Story - Why I Started Writing and Designing
There has never been a time in my life that I haven't enjoyed writing, creating, illustrating and painting. From an early age I was putting together short stories, song lyrics and abstract drawings.
But something happened when I was young.
I allowed myself to hide my creative talents away inside of my judgemental mind, thinking that my abilities as a writer and as an artist were never good enough to share with the world.
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Sadly almost 16 years ago my eldest son Jack passed away from brain cancer at the age of three. He was diagnosed a week after his second birthday and battled for eighteen months through his treatment.
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When Jack passed I found myself battling with grief which lead to many health complications. It took eight years of emotional hard work to write and publish my first book called 'Just Believe' which is Jack's journey through brain cancer. The book is told through my eyes as a mother, depicting the suffering a parent goes thorough when watching their child suffer through cancer treatment and then losing the ultimate battle.
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But Jack in his short life taught me how to believe in myself when in the past I never could. I released Jack's tribute book 'Just Believe' and since then I have not stopped writing, drawing, painting and creating. All of the wonderful and creative stories and art works I once shut away for decades are now being allowed to be birthed upon the world.
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I write non-fiction and also fiction in different genres. I also write and illustrate children's books under the pen name of Jackie Lukes. I create acrylic paintings and digital art which is displayed on physical products. All of these wonderful ideas have been waiting to be created for so long, and finally they are coming to life!
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So, here I am. A survivor.
My purpose is clear. To believe in myself and in the amazing things that I create. I am here as an inspiration for others, so I can tell not only Jack's story of courage but my own. I have battled through grief and made it out the other side. I believe that if I can do it then anyone can.
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Thank you Jack, you have taught me the gifts of...
Gratitude
Compassion
Unconditional Love
Belief
and
How to live in the Moment.
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I hope you enjoy my webpage, my books and my bright artistic designs.
Tarina.
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