SELLEST OSAST
As a member of the Canadian Authors Association, Niagara Branch https://canauthorsniagara.org/, Brent Thomas composes fictional stories. He refuses to be pigeonholed as a one-genre writer. Often, this author is not afraid while treading through the darker themes of human experiences, such as drug abuse, physical and sexual assault, suicide and revenge. But he also brings a brilliant balance to his storytelling by highlighting the redeeming and delightful pieces and parts of existence.
Brent is excited about his current project, a graphic novel called ‘Six Steps.’ He has collaborated with a visual artist to develop ‘Six Steps’ further. This particular story offers an incredible insight into the inner workings of a man who has experienced unimaginable tragedy and has found solace in revenge.
As a child, Brent had a voracious reading habit and was fascinated about crafting his own stories that others could genuinely become lost in. One of his earliest stories, ‘Me & My Monster,’ featured a whipping monster. This monster endured the torment of being abused and disfigured. Still, the beast was comforted by the child who slept in the bed which the monster lived under.
Such is the case with most great writers; writing what one ‘knows’ can lead to the most dramatic and enduring stories, and this author’s writing is no exception. Ever since he was a little boy, Brent had to navigate the slings and arrows of the great misfortune of being raised by physically and mentally abusive parents. Fearing for his life, at the tender age of thirteen, he ran away from his adoptive father’s household. Brent was placed with his mother. Whom, when he was fifteen, he also ran away from. He ended up being a ward of the system and has been living on his own ever since. Once a skittish child, Brent is now a confident and courageous writer. He lives his life as a renaissance man, refusing to be shoved into anyone’s box of ideals. rbt_writing@outlook.com
Host: RhiannonBarry is a self-taught visual artist born in St. Catharines, Ontario. She spent a large majority of her childhood and teen years on the North Shore of Lake Superior. She showed in the City of St. Catharine’s annual juried art exhibit. In solidarity with indigenous cultures, she created a piece featuring hope for the future. You can currently find a collection of her pieces hanging in The Hub Art Gallery on Queen Street in Niagara Falls, ON.
Rhiannon is currently pursuing certification as an art therapist and counsellor. She focuses on providing calming and conscious experiences, she shares online painting and creating tutorials and teaches in-person classes with intentional therapeutic methods build into the programming. Rhiannon is the coordinator of the popular online program 'Creative Conversations Pen Pals Project, 'Gentle Painting' and 'Artists' Path Finder Series'. www.bewhimsiartloft.ca
Special Guest Co-host: Adele Campbell-Life is like the ocean; powerful, she can rage like the strongest storm, yet she can be gentle, calming, and soothing to the soul. Adele’s story is all about finding her true calling as an Artist, but only after some strong waves of tragedy drastically shook her world. She grew up in what seemed to be a typical childhood and recalled feeling safe and secure. It wasn’t until later in life that realizations of traumatic sufferings came to light. She was bullied in her youth and turned to vices to cope throughout her twenties. Dramatically losing three family members, including one to murder and one to suicide, Adele hit a wall and broke down. Find out how she picked herself back up and now carries herself and lives to the fullest in honour of them—Adele shares how she found light through grief and sadness to emerge as a beautiful micro-butterfly artist.
https://www.hadelecampbell.com/
