Tina Martel
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Martel is a Canadian artist whose practice includes mixed media, painting, drawing, books, photography, installation and video. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, she began drawing at the age of four, and later (much later) received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Alberta College of Art and Design. She has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards and has exhibited across Canada, the United States and in Europe. She has been teaching fine arts in the post-secondary system for the last 17 years and is currently full time faculty at Grande Prairie Regional College.
Her book Not in the Pink was a finalist in two categories: Art and Health/Cancer for the International Book Awards 2015, a bronze medalist in the Health/Medical category for the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards 2015 and a gold medal winner in two categories: Illustration, Non-fiction/memoir and a silver medal in Health/Fitness for the Colorado Independent Publishers Evvy Awards 2015. Her book has been on the best seller list for McNallyRobinson Book Sellers, has a five star review average with Reader’s Favorite, been pick of the month for Story Circle Network, as well the featured memoir writer with Memoirabilia. She has been featured on the Author’s Show, John Gormley Live, Michael Dresser and Out of the Box Health radio shows. She is new to blogging but has appeared on book obsessed and paperblog.org as a featured blog. This is her first book.
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Not in the Pink
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Non-Fiction Illustrated Cancer Memoir
When visual artist Tina Martel was diagnosed with Stage Two breast cancer she decided to document everything. Throughout her treatment she created a stream of sketchbooks, photographs, paintings and video, in response to and frequently in spite of what was happening to her. Not in the Pink is a “graphic narrative” of the pain, frustration and frequent hilarity of her day-to-day dealing with the eccentricities and bureaucracy of the medical system. It is also a candid and moving exploration of the expectations often placed on you once you are diagnosed with cancer: by the people around you, by society and ultimately by yourself.
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