Madison and Pharaoh, 6 / 23 / 2009

Details

In this art business I find myself in, not everything goes forward. “Some days are diamonds and some days are stones” as Neil Diamond sings in his song. However, every once in a while something special happens. One just happened.
 
On May 30th, I gave a talk to a small group of people at the Flower Mound Public Library in Flower Mound, Texas . In the audience, I noticed a woman and her preteen daughter. What caught my attention was that they had pencils and pads to take notes. After my talk and visiting with members of the audience that wanted to meet me, I looked for the woman and her daughter, however they had left. It crossed my mind that I would never know who they were and why they were there. I was wrong, I would learn who they were and they would become a part of my life. Perhaps the biggest benefit to me, in my endeavors to draw and paint again, is the people that it has brought into my life. 
 
The theme of my talk was how I went about learning to draw and paint again after a thirty five layoff from the art world. I had brought examples of my drawings and paintings from the various stages and milestones in this endeavor. We had arranged them in the room starting with the early drawings and leading up to the latest large watercolor landscapes. 
 
One of the most important stages in my return to painting was when I found the web site of PrideRock Wildlife Refuge and wrote to the owners, Carol and Gary Holliman, requesting permission to spend time with their lions, tigers, cougars and wolves. They invited me to come to their animal sanctuary. There I learned that all of their animals were rescued from difficult circumstances and some from abusive situations. Carol and Gary have dedicated their lives to provide a home for these unfortunate animals. I spent some time during my talk at the library telling the audience about my experiences at PrideRock. Each of the animals there has a distinct personality. I told them about my experiences with some of the animals there such as the large lions Gabriel, Jake and Pharaoh, and the tigers Niki, Nia, Nallah, Sinbad and Rambo, and the cougars Cherokee, Casey, Kelsey and Zoe. I told them about the day when I was petting Zoe, and she reached out and put her paw on my shoulder. I told them about the day when Casey accepted me and finally let me touch him. 
 
When the talk at the library was over, we packed up and came home. I thought that event was over. I was wrong again. 
 
A few days ago, Gary Holliman emailed me that somebody named Madison had sent them a letter along with a $45 donation. As it turns out, Madison is the preteen girl that was at my talk at the library with her mother. I have contacted her mother and obtained permission to share this letter with you. This is the letter.
 
Dear PrideRock, 
 
Hello, I am Madison _____, age 11 from Flower Mound, TX. I was alerted to your cause when my Mom and I went to listen to a wildlife artist named Acree Carlisle. He told us about your wonderful sanctuary for mistreated wild animals. He told us about Pharaoh, and Casey, and all of those other amazing animals there. This year for my birthday, I had decided to gather donations from my guests to your cause. I hope every little bit can help, and that your idea may remain strong! I appreciate what you are doing, and hope to follow in your foot steps one day!  

Signed,  

Madison _______ 

P.S. Does PrideRock allow visitors? 

I don’t know about you, but this letter got to me. It has rejuvenated me. I have sent to her, as a birthday present, a framed signed and numbered giclee print of Pharaoh with a special message on it for Madison . Also, in addition to my regular monthly donation to PrideRock Wildlife Refuge, I am going to make a special donation, in her honor matching her donation, of $45.00. In this time of need at PrideRock, I am hoping that each of you can join Madison and me to help Carol and Gary in their cause and also send a tax deductible donation of $45.00 to honor Madison . Their mailing address is: 

PrideRock Wildlife Refuge
Attention: The Madison Fund

17194 CR 329

Terrell , Texas 75161-0225