Current book projects
In The Valley Of The Shadow
In The Valley Of The Shadow
In The Valley Of The Shadow
Take a journey into the mind of a man suffering from severe mental illness. In The Shadow Of The Valley will cover topics such as Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Addiction, Suicide, Self Harm as well as Hope and Renewal. I hope those suffering from a wide variety of mental illnesses will find comfort in the story of hope and feel less alone in their struggle, and help those who live, work and socialize with someone suffering from mental illness understand better what they are experiencing.
On the surface, Michael seems to be as happy as can be expected. Grieving his wife Sara, who he lost to cancer, he has set out on an adventure he has long dreamed of. His travels take him to the beautiful country of Nepal, where he hopes to find solace amongst the peaks and valleys of the majestic Himalayan Mountains.
But Michael's twin travel companions and their misbegotten siblings are determined to see it happen otherwise. Driven by an ancient grudge, they take Michael on a journey he did not expect.
A journey through the Valley Of The Shadow Of Death.
Flora's Lessons
In The Valley Of The Shadow
In The Valley Of The Shadow
A cheeky look at pressing moral and ethical issues that were relevant 2000 years ago and are still relevant today, Flora's Lessons is going to be a collection of short stories dealing with different topics.
Flora is living her life the best she can, despite her poverty-stricken upbringing. She is honest, resilient, and tells a good tale. She is comfortable with her flaws and is willing to speak up about complex issues. She also has a minor medical issue that others find humorous and endearing.
art Gallery
Sunset Mountains - Work in Progress
Aspen Grove - Pastels
Fall - Paint on wood
Hope - Paint on paper
Headache - Paint on paper
About Me
Chad Ruttan
I am a husband and father of two children living in Rochester Minnesota. I am originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which still holds a special place in my heart.
My passions are reading, writing, painting, learning about Psychology, and reaching out to others suffering from mental illnesses. I have a special interest in Mental Health as I have struggled with Depression and Anxiety, as well as a diagnosis of ADHD. These struggles inspire my writing and art.
I also love outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, backcountry camping, and snowboarding. I enjoy traveling, whether it be domestically or internationally.
I would describe myself as a progressive with a redneck streak. I've used my Honda Civic to carry gravel, lumber, and other building supplies, as well as yank dead shrubs out of the ground. I do have a weird sense of humor sometimes.