An award winning painter, published author, and world traveler, Deirdre West has combined her passions into a series of illustrated travel memoirs. Her first book, Balanced Between Shadow and Light: A Painter's Journey, combines prose with the visual artistry of classical realist oil paintings to weave a captivating story of a woman in search of her destiny. Her quest, to relearn how to see, not only with the eyes but with the heart and the mind, takes her from classical art instruction in the private figure painting atelier of renowned artist Kamille Corry, to the heart of Mexico. She faces her fears and travels alone, armed with paintbrushes and canvas to capture and translate the world around her. From the heart of the Barrancas del Cobre Canyon to the birthplace of the world in Teotihuacan, Deirdre takes us on an exhilarating journey of bullfights, salsa dance classes and the dark festivities of Dia De Los Muertos. Combining the history and local legends of her destinations with the unique perspective of a visual artist and poet, Deirdre has created a book that will appeal to anyone who has ever dreamed of getting lost in a foreign country and been nervous to live out their dreams.