On a particularly dark day, Lisa Dirkes sent me a copy of a lovely book she had illustrated. She wrote an inscription for me that were the exact words I needed to read, at that time.
Anyone who has followed my blog over the years will be familiar with the works of art of Lisa Dirkes. Many times I have shown her work, sometimes for the purpose of its
beauty, and sometimes because her message has a profound and relevant message.
Just last week, Lisa so very sadly and way too young passed away. I am wanting to share a few of my favorite pieces.
Lisa's path crossed my world when she initially worked at my Newport Beach CA Store. Life was not always kind to her, but she had a most wonderful spirit.
She was also a very important player during the opening of The Prairie By Rachel Ashwell. She kept our village fed while all hands were on deck to open.
Her paintings are beautiful and will live on. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteoh my heart is sad right now but how special is she & her art. The world is loosing some pretty incrediable artists lately.. including my dear father Robert Venosa..I beleive they are all together painting the HEAVENS!!!!
ReplyDeleteI believe in my heart that all your wishes for Lisa are coming true as I write this. Good people are always taken care of. Thank you Rachel for such a heartfelt post. I hope your own heart feels a bit better soon. I love your tribute to your friend and it is reminder to us all to live each day to its fullest and never, ever take life for granted as it passes so quickly.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Sue
P.S. I just ordered her book...through her precious art, she will continue to touch our hearts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartfelt tribute to a very special friend, and a beautiful relationship. My condolences to you and hers.....
ReplyDeleteXOX
Her life's brush painted a beautiful place in your heart that you will have forever. How wonderful the legacy of her words and art remain. May you find comfort in your memories.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Becky
Rachel my condolences for you and her family she is now in heaven painting with angels and all dogs because they all go to there:) you r my inspiration n maybe u were hers once
ReplyDeleteOh I was so sad reading this Rachel. I have admired her work and visited her website hoping she would reopen. Im so sorry for your loss and her family~Such a beautiful tribute to her~ xoxo Rachel
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss of a wonderful friend.
ReplyDeleteSo sad - Lisa was such an inspirational, soulful artist. Heartfelt condolences to her family, to you and your village.
ReplyDeletexo Nicole
This was so sad to read, yet so beautiful. I'm so sorry for your loss. ~Lili
ReplyDeletewhat a talent~this was very sad to hear about her passing.
ReplyDeleteFrom her "family" at the former Rachel Ashwell Shabbychic store in Newport Beach:
ReplyDeleteWe love you Lisa,
We will miss you,
you live on in our hearts.
Good times, Great Memories,
Always.
Carol, Maryann, Juniper, Rebecca and Lindsay.
To Lisa: It was an honor to have worked with you! You are a great artist always!! Love, Angie
ReplyDeleteHow very sad for everyone. It is always heartbreaking when someone leaves this earth too soon. What a lovely post you have done here to honor your friend. We can see that you loved her.
ReplyDeleteHeartbreakingly beautiful..so sorry Rachel.
ReplyDeleteHer work is lovely & will live on forever.
So sorry to hear this Rachel, may your memories bring you comfort. Her work is so beautiful and it is nice to know people will be able to enjoy it all for many years to come. I'm sure you made an angel smile with this lovely tribute, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your loss of your friend, her words and paintings are beautiful. Hold on to them. Hugs Mary
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. This post was so touching and heart felt.
ReplyDeletei feel a deep sadness reading this, rachel. as i shared with you recently, it was your introduction of lisa's work to me years ago that led me to THE LITTLE TERN, my favorite book. i have shared it with so many friends.
ReplyDeletesending love and comfort to you and those who loved lisa.
michele
Oh how very sad ..
ReplyDeleteRachel, I'm so sorry for your loss. Lisa is very strong in your heart which is where i'm sure she will live on, not only with you, but also all of the other lives she touched. I too hope she gets to paint all day and play with lovely dogs! best wishes, Jane x
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sad and, yet, beautiful post. I am not familiar with her at all, but, after reading her first quote, I was compelled to immediately say a prayer for her beautiful soul and the loved ones left behind. I feel touched by her spirit after reading her words. Maybe, that is the ultimate compliment. To reach out and touch the spirit of others, even without knowing them and,sadly, even after death. God bless her soul.
ReplyDeleteYour words have reminded me again of the power of art to change lives. I have long been inspired by your work. Loved going into your Chicago store a few years back. I look forward to learning more about Lisa's art.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful illustrations and verse. My sympathy goes to her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteRachel what a heartfelt tribute to Lisa whom God brought into your world.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, thoughtful post..
True joy that her life touched so many...a life well lived.
May you find comfort in the blessing of knowing one so dear.
In His love,
Deborah xoxo
My heart is broken for your loss. I'm sure she was a dear friend to you so I just want to say I'm so very sorry. May God keep her in the safety of his arms forever.
ReplyDeleteLove ya'
Ray
Sad and in the same time so wonderful that you shared Lisa's Art with us. Her precious Art will last forever in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to you and to her family. I didn't know her, but I always found her messages very poetic.
Thank you for sharing, my thoughts are with you.
just so beautiful, fill your heart with her and her art!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Heartbreaking that she is only known after her death! lovely art! and her spirit lives on in the book and has achieved some form of permanence... Thanks for sharing and your tribute to your staff and friend.
ReplyDeletewww.moxieantiques.com
Thank you for that. It brought tears to my eyes. I have just lost a dear friend as well. Two beautiful souls flying free.
ReplyDeleteI think those are my boots in the "hole in my soul" painting.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear of your friend. I enjoyed her art in the Littlest Tern. Heaven is the place where we will all, people and animals, be reunited someday.
Gorgeous pinks! I especially love the woodsy outdoor furniture with pink cushions! Amazing comfort combination. Wonderful!
ReplyDelete-Jess
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89090543/bohemian-porcelain-trinket-box
I wish you all the best for 2012!
ReplyDeletehttp://nicole-lovelyidea.blogspot.com/
I just read your blog......how very beautiful.....
ReplyDeleteThank You Rachel for you kind and beautiful words, you are so sweet. She was the most amazing mother the most amazing artist and had the most amazing heart and sole. The painting you posed are some of my favorits as well. My sweet mom i know is smiling down on us and she would have loved this! God bless you and thank you again for you love and support!
ReplyDeleteAlways, Maggie J. Dirkes
I will miss you even more maggie you were the legs of my heart and sole otherwise isn't a day go,s by that I don't have what you had Iwill love. You 4 ever ..
DeleteLisa's work is amazing. I am married to an artist and It's so important to be supportive of such talent and creativity. I love the "hole in my sole" the best. One of my fav songs too;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, xoxo tami
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteLisa's spirit and art lives on through you. Amazing that it can touch someone so easily (me) who has never met her except through you. I so appreciate each time you share your experiences from 2009. It helps each of us to know it is OK to fall once in a while, so long as we pull ourselves back up by those bootstraps.
As I have read all of the words written by others describing how wonderful a human being Lisa was which reflected in all of her works.
ReplyDeleteI had heard stories about her from her Daughter Maggie on how wonderful of an artist & writer she was as well as a mother and also how she was battling cancer.
When I was informed of her death it had touched me as well as saddened me due to the fact I had lost my mother at the age of five from Leukimia .
I recognized the journey too well that Lisa's daughter Maggie had to endure in dealing as well as accepting her mothers passing and emphasized to her that she had to stay strong yet also mourn and not hold it in.
Maggie loved her mother dearly and it is with great sorrow to bring the news of Maggie Dirkes passing away on January 14 2012 at 22 years of age way too young and she shall be forever missed.
May the two of these beautiful souls rise above the heavens mother & daughter and glide along the breath of the wind.
R.I.P Lisa & Maggie Dirkes
Your friend
Micah
RIP Maggie
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what happened?
Ask Micah it's he's friend that put her to rest R. Fellbaum.
DeleteMaggie will be missed by all that knew her, what a gorgeous, intelligent, beautiful soul..
ReplyDeleteI met Lisa and Maggie in a rather off the beaten trail for both Lisa and I. As we sat and waited for our daughters to practice and play hockey, we would talk about Authors, Art, Design and Parenting. Our conversation was always a breathe of fresh air and a great pause in a world we both like to challenge at times.
ReplyDeleteI so wish we had been in touch more the last few years. I will cherish my cloth envelope of stuff "spare hearts" even more than before. She will, I think live on forever.