Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction - "Books of Inspiration"

It was a magical evening for Peterborough author Charles Foran, who received the inaugural Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize on October 25, 2011 from the Honourable Hilary M. Weston, in front of a star studded literary audience at Koerner Hall located in the Telus Centre for Performance and Learning in Toronto. The event was hosted by Albert Schultz, the founding artistic director of Soulpepper Theatre Company, and included a special performance by the musician Michael Kaeshammer. Now Canada's richest prize for non-fiction, the author received the $60,000 and the newly created

crystal award by Mark Raynes Roberts entitled "Books of Inspiration". The design captures the journey of the writer’s quest for knowledge, aspiration for truth and its resultant success. The sculpture combines three crystal books, two lying flat on a slight angle, creating the steps of truth and knowledge with the third book standing representing the success from endeavour.

"This beautiful new award reflects the lot of the author - theirs is a journey requiring much reflection and going back before moving forward. The simplicity of this new award design is testament to the thought and hard work that goes into the work of all artists" commented Mrs. Weston.

Mordecai: The Life and Times, was described by the judges as "an epic work of scholarship and energy, capturing the wit and sincerity of Canada's most famous literary contrarian." The biography was also an "authentic portrait" of Richler, according to the jury composed of writers Brian Brett, Devyani Saltzman and Russell Wangersky.

"I am honoured to have this unique opportunity to recognize writers whose work I deeply admire for its quality, range, and eloquence," said Mrs. Weston. "Our nonfiction writers are held in great esteem around the world, and through this prize we are committed to further enhancing their status and their well-deserved reputation."

Charles Foran is the author of 10 books, both fiction and non-fiction, and his biography on Richler has also been nominated for the Governor General's Literary Award for English language non-fiction, with the winner being announced Nov. 15 and Gov. Gen. David Johnston will present the awards Nov. 24 at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

http://www.writerstrust.com/News/News-%281%29/Press-Release-Archive/Press-Releases/Weston-Prize-Sculpture.aspx

Angels of Love - anges de l'amour

One of four sculptures being exhibited at the CHASE Art Exhibition and Sale at the Royal College of Art in London England. "Angels of Love" is a two-piece hand engraved sculpture which refracts creating an alchemy of angels. The glass engraving techniques combine deep diamond wheel engraving with diamond point stippling, a technique dating back to the 16th century.

Angels of Love (anges de l'amour) by Mark Raynes Roberts
For more information please visit: http://www.chasecare.org.uk/

Touched by An Angel

"We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free."

Maya Angelou

CHASE Art Exhibition & Sale - Royal College of Art, London, England

I am very honored to be one of the 15 invited artists taking part in this year's CHASE art exhibition at the Royal College of Art in London, England on Thursday November 10th, 2011.

Here is one of the four crystal sculptures I have created especially for the event entitled "See The Forest For The Trees", which is hand engraved and diamond point stippled and depicts the Sussex Downs countryside in Autumn.

The CHASE Art Exhibition is a highlight on the London art scene calendar showcasing and selling the work of many of Britain's top glass artist's including my teacher and mentor Ronald Pennell, Katherine Coleman, Gillies Jones, Colin Reid and Sally Fawkes.

Now in its 12th year, the event raises in one evening, close to £100,000 for the CHASE children's hospice in Guildford, who do tremendous work in supporting children who are not expected to reach their 19th birthday. It is entirely privately funded and receives no government support, so I am delighted to support such a worthwhile cause.

For more information please visit: http://www.chasecare.org.uk/

WWW.MARKRAYNESROBERTS.COM

Sea of Tranquility

"One is rich not through one's possessions, but through that which one can with dignity do without." Epicurus

Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher and the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism. Only a few fragments and letters remain of Epicurus's 300 written works. Much of what is known about Epicurean philosophy derives from later followers and commentators.

For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by ataraxia—peace and freedom from fear—and aponia—the absence of pain—and by living a self-sufficient life surrounded by friends. He taught that pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and evil, that death is the end of the body and the soul and should therefore not be feared, that the gods do not reward or punish humans, that the universe is infinite and eternal, and that events in the world are ultimately based on the motions and interactions of atoms moving in empty space.

Sometimes we need to look back to see clearly what lies ahead.

Art For Business Sake - Glass Stampede

Architectural glass is the perfect medium to provide clarity for crystal clear corporate communication, whether for a corporate office environment or for a new hotel lobby creating an artistic statement which has impact can set the tone. The benefits to commissioning public works of art of this scale, can include not only greater brand awareness to the public but also potential media interest.

“Mark's creativity, passion and sheer artistic talent are matched by the intense personal connection he brings to every project. He seems to be a centuries old master-craftsman flung into the future to remind us that art and business have the same DNA. He has been a great friend to my favourite causes and so many others that make a difference in the world.”

Jim Hayhurst

WWW.MARKRAYNESROBERTS.COM