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Left to right:
Kendra, Sky, Hadrienne |
Hadrienne was sweet, beautifully poised,
a lover of animals, rowing, environmental science and
art. She was a great friend to those blessed to be her
companion. She was a woman of faith as far as I could
see...especially in how she lived her life at Chattanooga
Christian |
| School. Well, many of you
here today could say these same things. I was Hadrienne's
art teacher for all of her high school years. Allow
me to share the Hadrienne of the art studioMy Hadrienne. A brightness entered the
studio with her. She reflected an intense devotion
to her friends, that circle of great, crazy, and creative
people who surrounded her. Her energy and laughter
were uplifting. Upon entering the studio, Hadrienne
talked to me. She knew I loved animals and water and
we connected there. She kept me updated on her pets,
talked to me about her summers with sea turtles. She
was one of those girls who rowed on the river and inspired
me as I tried it for a season. Hadrienne was an encourager. |
| I have a collection
of photographs of many of my art students. I believe
the one of Hadrienne I love is from spring her
sophomore year, she is in her back yard holding
her large tiger cat. But both of her hands are
painted as though she were wearing red gloves.
We laughed when she |
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| presented it to me. This is
the essence of Hadrienneas an artist.She was always
putting paint or something on her hands as she made
her art. She really liked working with clay! She explored
by touching, as a tactile learner. Very "hands on"...literally! I quickly
realized that her expressive artworks were a product
of what she knew and felt deep inside. Sure she would
work from observation as I requested of my students
but so much of her art was different from my other
students. For example her senior year portfolio had
the theme of sea turtles because of her summers spent
observing and "saving" these animals. Not a single
realistic drawing of a turtle was included in her work.
She easily made images using sponges, sticks, and even
sand! I often have students work in non-traditional
media but Hadrienne did this on her own. |
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Having a wonderfully creative mother
was reflected in Hadrienne's ease in being able
to "Play" and produce such meaningful images.
She was teachable and also unique in her way
of seeing and feeling the world. In the true
definition of Expressive Art, not merely teenager
emotional ideas, Hadrienne
was an expressionist. Think of Van Gogh's paintings
of thick strokes of paint to help you define that.
Elegant, poised, stylish in a classical sense, totally
graceful are words I use to describe Hadrienne, a
beautiful young woman. |
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Delicate
in features yet so strong on many levels. Warm and
friendly even to a teacher. The words mature, kind
and considerate complete the image of my lovely Hadrienne.My
painting of Hadrienne would consist of deep blues,
bright yellows and lots of rich greens. The brush
strokes would be subtle, gentle yet very strong,
with a boldness in layering paint resulting in something
you would want to run your hand over...providing
the viewer an invitation to look but also to want
to touch the surface."
- Written
and read by Lauren Leutwiler, Hadrienne's Funeral,
November 23, 2005 |
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Hadrienne's
Sunset
November 23, 2005 |
I hope that somehow you
and Gloria caught a glimpse of what God blessed our
city with tonight... the evening after Hadrienne's
spiritually moving funeral. When I went back out
to the store this evening, I crested the hill by
my house and as I looked up, the sky from the top
of the heavens all the way to edge of the river was
covered with bright pink, purple and blue waves of
color. It literally took my breath away. In all my
51 years, I have never seen anything like this Andy.
It was SO much more than a beautiful sunset. I noticed
many cars had pulled over and were sitting there
in awe at the spectacular creation in front of them.
I did the same... and just sat there and cried. It
felt like a glimpse into the beauty that heaven holds
for each of us... and gave my heart some peace that
Hadrienne was enjoying that beauty in it's fullness.
I hope you saw it... what a blessing! Continuing
to hold you up in prayer,
- Shirley Madewell
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"We, too,
took notice and were awed by the sunset on the eve
of Hadrienne's funeral. What a glorious tribute the
Lord sent in her honor... you're constantly in our
hearts and prayers."
-
luv, Helen Ross
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"The
best hug in the whole world."
- Hadrienne Mendonsa, October 2005 on Myspace |
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