"From the Heart" celebrates the fresh, unique talent of artist Mackenzie Thorpe, whose work expresses universal ideas about love, hope, and friendship. Growing up in an economically depressed area of northern England and faced with the challenge of dyslexia, Thorpe found salvation in painting and drawing. His industrial world of steelworks and shipyards paved the way for a rich tapestry of work that highlights the adventures, adversities, and lessons of growing up as an artist in this unlikely environment. Thorpe's work references people from his past and present, and the joys of their lives. The animals are people, the shadows are memories, and the shipyards are ghosts from the past. "From the Heart" couples Thorpe's artwork with his story of individual triumph, the lessons he has learned, the inspiration he shares with his audience. The book shows the range of his work, which he hopes will encourage and enable people to rekindle their childhood spirits and connect with the fundamental values of truth, joy, and companionship. Mackenzie Thorpe's distinctive paintings-- ranging from vast panoramic skies full of light and splendor to brooding images of workers on the dole-- capture the lessons of his childhood spent in the industrial northeast of England. Thorpe's ability to re-create the essence of these magical moments in simple, universal images allows those who view his work to make lasting emotional connections. Through the universal language of art, Thorpe conveys his own messages of compassion, friendship, and truth, which resonate throughout his entire body of work and are the essence of this collection. "If I have been successful in my work, when people view it, they willtap into their own hearts and souls, giving the work their own emotional interpretation," he writes. "That's why I leave out many of the details in my work; details can be obstacles to looking beyond the surface. I love looking beyond and I want others to look beyond with me." Thorpe's paintings, prints, and sculpture appear in galleries worldwide. To learn more about his work or to find his work in a gallery near you, please visit his website at www.mackenziethorpe.com. Treasured by both first-time art buyers and experienced collectors alike, Thorpe's work conveys an inspiring message of hope and love. Today his original works sell out instantly and his images appear as fine-art prints and cards, including those for Elton John's AIDS Foundation.