At the age of 15, George Mendoza was diagnosed with a rare, incurable, degenerative eye disease, fundus flavimaculatus. Effects of the disease caused him to lose his central vision, keeping only a gray foggy fringe on the periphery. In the center of his view he sees what he calls "kaleidoscope eyes"-intense and changing visual images of fiery suns, brightly burning eyes and colorful pinwheels. George went on to become a world-class runner and Paralympic contender. In 1980, he broke the world record for blind athletes, running the mile in 4 minutes and 28 seconds. In the early 1990's, he began to paint full-time. Ironically, Mendoza's paintings spring from the loss of his eyesight and a very special vision that took its place. Mendoza works full time as a writer and an artist. Currently, his exhibition "Colors of the Wind" is a national Smithsonian affiliates traveling art exhibit. He lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is founder and president of the Wise Tree Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation for the promotion for the arts. He is a motivational speaker and is currently developing a play based on his children's book Colors of the Wind.
Learn more at www.georgemendoza.com