A Visual Representation of a Legacy

“Make a Scene”

With Artist, Laura Duke Caye

I absolutely love it when I get an opportunity to spotlight, and introduce to my followers, other like-minded, artistic female entrepreneurs. I am always inspired by women who “went for it”. The ones who really pursue their talent and have passion for doing what they love to do and doing it best because they love to do it! And I love having friends who are doing just that (and kicking butt at it, might I add).

My lifelong friend (my sista from another mista) Laura Duke Caye, an Augusta, Georgia native, said “peace out” to the Real Estate industry and decided to give her hard work and time to her true calling. Thank Goodness she did because now we can all enjoy her amazing talent… you can see for yourself (above). I’m the new proud owner of a Laura Duke original!! A commissioned piece of gorgeousness!!

I would have been happy to own any of her pieces but this particular scene holds so much sentiment for me. It’s my favorite tree at my favorite house on planet earth…really it’s my favorite place in this world. I have the fondest memories climbing that beautiful Japanese Magnolia tree on 1111 Stanley Drive (which has now been taken over by the Augusta National Golf Club and the street name is now Berkman Road…it’s a Masters Golf Tournament initiative) but my grandparents house is still standing along with one other house left on that road…which leads me to the point of Legacy- it can’t be bought at any PRICE. That house represents a foundation, set upon a rock that cannot be moved) My grandfather Clifford “Smiley” Richards started a business from the ground up and as a small business owner of a paint and body shop, Richards Body Works, his success was multiplied by the legacy he LIVED. The way he treated people and gave back to the community is precisely why after his death the business is still going strong as my uncle Pat Richards has carried on that legacy. I can remember spending the night a my grandparents house and my Saint of a grandmother Mary Ann Price Richards looking out her bedroom window (as seen in the painting) and waving to me as I played (my grandaddy was probably in his recliner watching NASCAR or eating an ice cream sandwhich while riding his stationary bike in the kitchen). The house was and still is a safe haven for many even though she has gone to be with the Lord her spirit is with me and in that place still.

Laura Duke Caye can personally relate to my sentiments toward family, business and legacy as we share in our beliefs about the importance of keeping a family legacy alive. Caye has a similar story to tell about her own family legacy and how the spirit of that legacy lives on, in and through, her own professional and personal life. I grew up with Caye, being the best friend of her younger sister, Leah, and practically an “adopted” member of their family. So I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Laura’s grandfather, Mr. James Duke, a.k.a “Papa Duke”. This man, James Duke, whom I had only met briefly a few times prior to his passing, yet I really got to KNOW him through the legacy he lived and left for future generations to carry on… On account of all the many stories and first hand memories shared by members of his family, his loyal customers, and from many members of my hometown community of Augusta, GA. These accounts, and the pride his grandchildren have for the Duke name are a true testament of Mr. Duke’s character, work ethic, and the way he ran his business and treated his customers, employees and people in general. He made an impact in his community and in the lives of those he served through his business, Duke Restaurant, which he opened in 1956. The diner was an Augusta staple, and became kind of a monument in our city since it closed its doors in 2000. Anyone and every one native to the Augusta area has, either a story about, memory of, or has at least heard of Duke Restaurant. And I believe that the reason for that being true isn’t simply because the place had great food, but because of the legacy the owner LIVED during his life and through his business.

With that being said, I knew when I asked Laura to do a painting of my grandparents house, shortly after the death of my grandmother, the last founding member of our family’s legacy, that she was going to really put her heart and soul into this piece. Caye took a picture of the landscape in the front of the house of my late grandparents and turned it into a beautiful painting that will bring me good memories each time I pass it in my home for years to come. And every time I pass by that painting I can almost see my Maw Maw’s face waiving to me from that window.

Legacy is so much more of a treasure than a title. It’s priceless and I’m proud to have been left with the Price/Richards legacy to follow and raise my children by and to also live it out through my business.

In whatever vocation you are in, you have the opportunity to live a legacy and bless others through the work you do and through serving others in any way that will make a positive impact on their lives!

Daniél Mulherin

In Loving Memory of Clifford and Mary Ann Richards, and James Duke

Check out Laura Duke Fine Art:

https://www.facebook.com/ldfineart/

GET 10% discount off your purchase order when you order online at

https://lauradukefineart.com

and contact Laura with discount code: MLANE

order her art directly from her website:
https://lauradukefineart.com/https://mulherinlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/img_6172.jpghttps://mulherinlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/img_6172.jpg

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