Prayer for forgivenness = Healing?!

We are all praying for you.

Consider me your prayer warrior today, my day is saturated in it at the Rescue Mission Ministries we start every meeting checking in with God and reviewing prayer requests. Today is YOUR day because you just happened here, and your name will come to mind often in those prayer warriors who love you.

My own lil pondering for the week - lingering from a Sunday school study...

The book of Matt. has the story of Jesus forgiving a man of his sins,

and follows with, "in order that you may know that the son of man has

the POWER to forgive sins, I tell you, take up your pallet and walk."

The thought occurred to me that those who repent, and approach God for the first time with a humble heart, may have a greater need to know they are forgiven. Perhaps they have God's ear, and as He as wants them to know he has the

power to forgive, to demonstrate that He HEALS...

Does this mean that those in despair over their greatest sins would be in a position to have their prayers for HEALING granted?

Experiamental prayer study...Go out and find a repentant

sinner....and ask them to pray for anyone you know that is suffering

illness! and let me know what happens!

Watching for miracles....Kyle

A note to my nephew a junior at VMI who has been restricted to baracks.

The dog is staring at me and it is disconcerting - he does not have your typical "I adore you" puppy dog stare. When Tank takes notice of me, it means he is going to demand somethng. It's time for a walk, My water bowl is empty, my bone is stuck under the dresser or my least favorite It is time to go to the den It's bedtime !!! He paws, claws and gives impatient growls that escalate into sharp barks and is successfully teaching me to understand dogspeak! For all those who embarrass their pet by humanizing them with clothes and baby talk, mark one up for the canine, I have been puppyfied. I was going to write a long letter, but this bully here wants the light out. Just thought you'd like to know you are not the only one being confined to quarters!

Keep your spirits up! That little bible promise book that I showed you was telling Mr. Jackson, $ ;D

He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me (Psalm 57:3

Can you believe I randomly opened the book to that verse?? Really! Page 28 Are you sure this stuff doesn't happen to anybody else? Love you Aunt Kyle

My nephew (here) accuses me of being the "Oracle" because I am aware of "coincidences" and make more of them than I should. In short, an example would be riding in a van from the airport in San Diego, CA and surprisingly find that another passenger on the van was someone I had drawn in Wytheville, Virginia, in an alpaca barn. Another was being in the right place, at the right time to rescue a terrified small dog on the run. A chance meeting that turns into an answered prayer...you know small world stuff...most of it has no significance, some is just weird, but occasionally I wonder if these happen as it were, by divine appointment.

I created a brochure comp and needed a generic photo of a guy to fill in for what will be my clients portrait, at first I used a photo of my husband, but then decided I needed to find a picture of someone that was in a business suit (he never wears suits in pictures), so I jumped onto the millions of google images and found the perfect shot for a temporary fill in...Less than 24 hours later while picking up my local newspapers off the couch - I saw an ad for a local retirement community, and there staring at me was the same man...different picture casually dressed..

Most likely a model who was a major player in stock photography, which would increase the chances of that happening... nothing deep, no spiritual lesson, just a "coincidence". My nephew claims I have more of these "coincidences" than other people. I think that they do happen to everyone else, they are just smart enough to keep their mouth shut to avoid being taken for a nut! I kind of enjoy the curiosity and amusement of the moment and don't take it seriously - most of the time...

When the house directly across the street, identical in layout, came up for sale just when my sister needed a place for herself and three small children after a sad divorce, I mused that God had just made it possible for me to be closer to my niece and nephews - and over the next three years I was able to share with them many everyday moments, reading before bedtime, the first big snow, car washes....

Then Kim was tragically was killed in an auto accident, it suddenly seemed as if the fall had been cushioned by our proximity to each other... it made the transition easier for the kids as they could still come home to my house after school, until their Dad picked them up after work. Just a coincidence, her living next door, but it seemed to have God's purpose written all over it. Perhaps it was a God incident...

It is comforting to believe, the alternative would be to believe in randomness, which has no personality, or intent, and certainly isn't a Someone to share and anticipate an abundant and curiously coincidental life with.

Peter Pencil was looking over my shoulder...

July 4 was a big day for me with a gig at Poplar Jefferson Forest: http://www.poplarforest.org/ Did you know Thomas Jefferson died on July 4?

Born: April 13, 1743; Died: July 04, 1826

If you haven't pondered what our heritage has blessed us with recently, plan that trip to walk the acres, and view the panoramic vistas that Thomas Jefferson's own eyes looked on.

While I do not consider myself to be in step with our current presidents' aspirations (or angst) of "what will my legacy be" learning about history makes me wonder if what I produce will have an impact on people after I'm gone. I was honored to be able to draw under a shade tree, not just as entertainment, but to have it relevant the historical and educational mission of Poplar Forest. To justify the the budget item of having an artist draw big heads with little bodies of the guests, it was only right to have a historical reason connected to Thomas Jefferson. And happy surprise! I have Peter Pencil (or Pencill, depending on which cartoon you are looking at) and Cruikshank to thank for this. They left their marks, literally, on history by having a negative opinion about Jefferson ie: the embargo against Britain imposed during his presidency. There are only 5 Cartoons/caricatures that we know of - the first pokes of the satirical illustrators pen at an american president. I'm grateful for their opinions. They ensured that there would be an invitation for this humble Virginia caricature artist to be part of the celebration - 200 years later - on a picture perfect day on July 4, 2009 at Jefferson Poplar Forest. The minutemen fifed, drummed and marched. I drew - Big heads, little bodies and had a job. Thank You Peter Pencil, (and Diane Kinney! )

An EARLY CARTOON, 1980's probably my first...

Dear Kyle,

Interesting feedback. If you happen to run across anyone, or can search for someone that worked on the North Hills Horne's Department Store project at Flannery and Associates around 1964, they may solve the mystery for us.

Love,

Dad

Anytime my Dad writes, he is the "soul of brevity". I would not know where to search out the information he has listed here, so I throw it impulsively out to this blog and on facebook to see what happens... he is responding to my last post about birds...

On another topic...I found some caricatures I had done in 1992 and some cartoons in 1986, the first, I did for my mom for when she was head floor nurse and needed to put some "gentle reminders" up of some procedures that were not being followed. Perhaps 18 years from now (Ha, God willing) I will look back on my work now and say...that was awful but I am so much better now... I have a dozen of these that I did and looking back on them now, they were fun. I just wish Mom were here to share it with her.

Is it live or is it memorex?

There are birds, and there are birds.

In my last post, it seems I overlooked posting the obvious - a picture of my alleged "Alexander Calder" Birds. Even Jazz was looking at me askew with a "HELLOOO? mcFLY anybody home?"

Jazz is a humble bird, and like my Dad she has no aspirations of glory aside from performing for her next peanut - yes, inside joke here.* She will not mind being upstaged by her brass buddies should they, in fact have (by the world's standard) a more illustrious lineage. She is proud of her Creator, who has endowed her with inalienable rights, Life, pseudo liberty and the pursuit of any attention she can get at home - her greatest happiness.

My Father's Birds...and Alexander Calder.

I love my Dad. Before he retired, he was an Industrial Designer who received his degree from Syracuse University and worked all his life designing "things". As a child, I was vaguely aware of his projects, some of which he simply supervised, others he designed - interior design exhibits, hairdryers, rakes, tape measures, and noteably, the Disston cordless electric grass shear was his invention and a project which earned the company millions and netted him little or no recognition and no additional compensation.

But that was o.k. with my Dad, he hates attention, or glory, much to my mother's irritation, who, when he owned his own company gave him a plaque with "James E. Edgell, PRESIDENT" and insisted he put it on his door. After she passed away 4 years ago, he proceeded in short order to divest himself of everything he owned except for the barest of essentials, the clothes on his back and one avacado green Disston Cordless grass shear, which his new wife insisted on framing with a plaque reading " 22 million units sold" or some such thing. He lives simply, unencumbered by the desire for "stuff".

One of the his early projects in the 60's was especially memorable in my mind because Dad brought the "prototypes" home. Three beautiful bird-like sculptures in perfectly proportioned sizes, a small one in tin, the other two in brass. I don't know what happened to the tin one, but the lovely shining brass forms hung in our homes in Pennsylvania, Virginia, then Mississippi, and finally, when my mother died, they were one of the few possessions Dad kept until he remarried and they were almost tossed until I rescued them. I asked their origin - I was stunned, I knew this artist. I had studied him thoroughly in 3 separate tedious art history classes - didn't he KNOW what he had?! I bugged the heck out of Dad to write it down for me, to help me authenticate the bird's history, (and because my feeble mind could not remember the details) He finally dashed off a note to get me off his back. They have been in my basement for almost 16 months, and I'm finally getting around to hanging them in a place of honor.

I keep meaning to chase it down, to find out if they really are the prototypes for a mobile that hung in Hornes Department store in the early 60's. To see if they have value. I could really use the money. But their clean lines, and elegant beauty and simplicity remind me of my Dad, and his values. It's curious, the longer they hang in my home, the less I care about the "money" I might be able to get - even if they really ARE Alexander Calder's work and anyone on e-bay is interested. Dad would be proud of this current frame of mind... but sigh, I am my mother's child, however much I strive to be my Father's daughter...

Caricature Crisis Mode

Never fails that someone has the creative and brilliant idea to offer a caricature portrait for someone retiring. Don't get me wrong, I think it truly IS a personal and perfect one of a kind gift and should be pursued with all diligence - find an artist and give them the work - Beg them to do it, you might save their life!

When I got the call for this one, to draw 20 people for a retirement gift, my schedule was already loaded.  Then once I heard the sad sad story...we don't have much of a budget...I tag teamed my good friend Jerry Bowyer... knowing that he  1) would probably ask too little and underestimate his time, 2) agree to an unreasonable deadline and 3) the client would not know how to count and would unexpectedly throw in more bodies...and that despite all that he would 5) do a fantastic job, preserving both our reputations, his because he always delivers what he promises and mine because I recommended him.   For this disservice in ducking the pie, which hit him squarely in his cheeky grin, I humbly beg his pardon, and can only point out that he did not ask me for my opinion on  pricing this, and that it was a most excellent learning experience along with getting a great portfolio piece. 

Whether unfortunately or divinely directed - what comes around goes around, I accepted a job the next day of 9 graduation caricatures. (Also a most excellent idea)  After a half dozen revisions, an all nighter and a desperate dash to Fed Ex begging them to unlock the door Jerry and I were even...probably both earning .25 cents/hour for our labor, and having the shipping expense more than what we quoted for the product. But hey, I've got some great portfolio pieces, maybe a new client, who may be surprised at my next quote.  I will learn, I will learn, I will learn...

Being a card carrying member of AARP, I'm told it's about time I started to save for retirement...but do artists EVER retire -and if they do, do they kick the bucket a la al Hirschfeld  and Charles Schultz (retired dec 14, 1999, died Feb 12, 2000)   My own little personal observation...a very sobering thought indeed, and something to ponder upon - soooo my philosophy is to be grateful for anything I get, and whatever it takes (or gives) just keep drawing...

Reply to Abby, budding Caricature Artist

I had art classes in college, but they didn't really teach me how to draw...I hardly ever sketched on a regular basis until I started doing caricatures, and I was over 30 and very bad at it ...I still don't get the image on the paper the way I want it...some days I just want to put the pictures on the bottom of Jazz's bird cage....but I figure you have to draw 1000 heads, before you get a couple that you can look at and say, wow, that one really looks pretty good...so my to answer your question "How Long does it take to get good"  is... it depends.   How quickly can you draw 999 different heads , cuz that 1000  picture might surprise you..it really isn't about how long, how many years etc..., it's about how many...Just don't worry about it, and have fun doodling, and drawing wherever you are...

I should try and find some of my early pictures. Then you might be encouraged to see that you probably draw as "good" as me   

Kyle

Red Hat Ladies and Garden Pot

Last night I had the privilege of drawing in a beautiful english "secret garden".  Beautiful as the story told, with trellises hidden beneath green draperies splashed thickly with fragrant white roses.   Above the soothing bubbling of a water pond drifted the cheerful chatter of Red Hat ladies. Their Purples and Reds graced the garden like another species of delicate flora.  

My client is a memorable elderly character, fun to draw, exhuberant, whose bursts of laughter carried the party, whose kind patronage has moved her from my "client" list to my "friend" list. (Which makes it hard to charge her!)  One on one her stories are peppered with cursing - a surprise coming from a petite red-head who has enjoyed a singular stature in the community.  It was her hands that had tended this stunning garden, and I was amused and startled to see peeking above the purple ribbons of a red bonnet a distinctive five leaved plant looking suspiciously like an illegal drug thriving in a bin of rich black soil.  My mind ...surely not here... in the open for all these proper matrons of the red hat society to see! My client has led a colorful life, with discretion I had thought and later after the ladies were safely away, her response to my query was classic, perhaps a joke? perhaps not? I'm still not sure.  "Why Kyle", she exclaimed, THAT is Cleome,  I keep the other in the greenhouse of course! 

I didn't pursue the matter further...except to post my new found information here...

I love my job. 

Cleome

Don't Settle for Mediocrity

I was discouraged this morning and needed to get back in the "game" so they say.   Push past thinking about what is, and put real effort into making something that will be.  Steven Silver gave me a good quote to kick me out of my doldrums... Thank goodness for people that inspire us!

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents." (Andrew Carnegie) 

This is a harsh quote, but very true. As a teacher I have come across many students who wish to succeed in their field, but lack the motivation. Becoming  good at anything requires practice and effort and taking the initiative. By working hard  outside of a given assignment,  It is my belief that those are the individuals who will break through. I have some students now who bring me their artwork that they did during the week that I didn't assign, That is motivation. Don't  talk about it- Just do it!  

Steven Silver, Animator, Character Developer

My Website is now Linked to here  - I hope some of you will respond and write me....click "events calendar" and Vwa  La! you found me!  LET ME KNOW if you were HERE...

Steve sells first Die Laughing Books!

Steve Sells First Die Laughing Books!

Steve has sold 25 books to the Lynchburg General Hospital Gift Store, then went and sold the rest he had with him (total 36).  He is enjoying selling and talking with people and my husband has social gifts I never knew about - or perhaps I was flapping my own mouth to much to notice.  I am blessed.  

Death is....Feeling confident that THIS TIME you'll be able to keep your sobriety pledge...or as in my case vow of silence?  

Die Laughing! Lighthearted views of a grave situation.

  I never thought starting any sentence with "Death is" would be funny, but there you go...turns out it is.  When I was diagnosed with cancer, shortly after my mom had just died from it, one can't exactly escape thoughts, or conversations that deal with that word...death.  I'm glad Steve wrote the book, it makes me able to laugh at the gorilla in the room, and helps others around me to actually broach the subject, without having to cry. 

Die Laughing, Lighthearted Views of a Grave Situation was written by my husband, Steve Mickle so even if I hadn't already found it funny, that would have to make it a darn good thing 

You can see some samples of this book at www.kyleedgell.com/dielaughing_000.htm  Not exactly a fancy website - but it gets the info out.  

Death is....

when you're having a near death experience and there is nobody at the end of the tunnel saying go back, it's not your time.

Death is...

knowing a bit of rouge will only make you look cheap, not healthy.

Death is...

going "like totally" organic.

Could this actually be a tool for grief counselors? For Hospice workers? To lighten up a caretakers day? ...at worst, it would be a great "over the hill" gift for a friend. 

The National School Board Association had it's conference in San Diego this year.  Chevron Energy Solutions was my sponsor and it was beautiful!  The San Diego Padres had their opening game night right next door to the beautiful Omni Hotel where I was staying and the fans were in fine form! I felt as if I had several "Devine appointments" set up for me, meeting a graphic designer interested in doing caricature, and of course experiencing again the enthusiasm of my NSBA fan base, who have become collectors of some good, some not soooo good caricatures...

San Diego/Chevron Energy Solutions/NSBA