THE EVOLUTION OF AN ARTIST Book Launch Presents THE HOUND THAT IS ME by Pan Pantoja

LeRue Press, a Reno, Nevada publisher will release twenty of artist and entrepreneur, Pan Pantoja's many works which will include poetry, prose and graphic novels.

Pan Pantoja began painting before he could walk. He had his first solo show at the age of fourteen in a local coffee shop in Montana. High school teachers would accept paintings and illustrations for assignments. He was accepted into several art schools, but he turned them down for a football scholarship to Carroll College. He did this partially on the advice of some working artists he knew, "...you do not need a degree to be an artist." Though he has a passion for art, he spent some of his time writing poetry, often combining it with his art. "The Hound That Is Me" is the first in the series of Pan's work.

Why twenty books in a year?
"Pan is prolific and has many works from which to choose," stated Janice Hermsen, co-founder and publisher for LeRue Press. "We wanted to show some of his early work and how he progressed to where he is today as an inspiration to artists and writers. As far as twenty? Pan came into our office and said, 'Hey, can you do twenty of my books in a year?' Our answer? Well, let's give it a try."

To broaden his understanding of the world, Pan earned degrees in Sociology and Criminology. During this time, he also earned a minor in Theater directing and acting. He trained under Kim De Long, the artistic director of the Montana Shakespeare Company, for four and a half years. He developed a style and technique called Potentialism. He is multi-talented and is a mixed media painter, illustrator, sculptor, playwright, director, spoken word poet, documentary film producer, and actor. And soon a published author.

Pantoja is interested in investigating the unity of the arts. He believes a contemporary artist should have a holistic understanding of all forms of art. This will allow the artist to create with no set outcome or form. He completed an internship teaching visual art and acting to at-risk youth in 2002 and has been doing it ever since. he worked at the Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) for two years. During that time, he developed a program combining aspects of attachment therapy, criminal counseling, visual arts, and theater. He found that the work in the classroom was not enough to truly help this population so he started an after-school program. The program focused on the creation and production of an original play.

Pantoja's book launch for "The Hound That Is Me" will be held at The Jungle, 246 W 1st St., Reno, Nevada from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., October 4, 2016. His book will be offered in print and e-book.

LeRue Press, an independent publisher located in Reno, Nevada has been publishing since 2000. They publish both traditional and self-published authors. Pan is traditionally published and contracted with LeRue Press for the entire series.

For additional information contact: Janice Hermsen, janice@lrpnv.com or 844-987-8679.

LeRue Press, formerly Publishing from the Heart, is located in Reno, Nevada. In addition to traditional publishing, LeRue Press is a printer, business and writing center providing commercial printing and virtual office services as part of their diversified offerings. They focus on quality fiction and non-fiction and solutions for businesses and writers.

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