Marsh View at Pawleys Island Original 41″ x 60″ Oil Painting $4290.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Month: April 2014
Another Roanoke City Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Murphy is stalking me again!
My Artwork
Poppies and Lace Original 30″x40″ Oil Painting $2425
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Roanoke City Ghost Story
I keep thinking I am going to move on to other interesting aspects of the New River Valley and The Blue Ridge Parkway and then I find another ghost story to share! Ghost stories are so much fun and I didn’t know about any of these until this year!
Here is another Roanoke one!
At The Patrick Henry Motel there are a number of ghostly apparitions. The Motel was built in 1925 and there are three ghostly men that supposedly hang around the ball room to keep an eye on things.
On the second floor there is a man with a pipe that sits at one of the tables. Some people say he kicks the tablecloth with his foot.
Many people claim they feel the presence of an elderly woman who died in one of the rooms!
I found this information on the online publication, Haunted Places.
Murphy’s Law
When I was working on my Master’s degree I worked for a professor that had a huge poster of Murphy’s Law. He said a friend gave it to him. I read the whole poster and have never forgotten all the things that this mysterious Murphy does to us.
Sometimes I feel like Murphy is stalking me! My latest example of how, if anything can go wrong, it will, involves my favorite sport.
I have been skating since I was a child and my sister is so accomplished that she teaches ice skating in Sterling, Virginia.
Since there isn’t a skating rink nearby I have been roller blading for many years in Christiansburg. The rink closed down but a few years later a fantastic one opened near the old one. The boot on one of my skates finally cracked apart and I had to buy new ones.
I have never liked the new ones so a while ago I ordered a very expensive pair that I knew would be great!
Last Sunday I drove to the rink with my old skates and they were closed. I figured that they were starting their summer schedule early so I went home and looked online. I was stunned to see that they were closed permanently!
The next day my new skates showed up! AAAARGH!
Dominion Original 30″x40″ Oil Painting $2425
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
A Beautiful Moment Original 20″x 16″ Oil Painting $660
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Life with The Word and Bird Man – Clyde Kessler
Since my husband is on a computer eight hours a day he knows more than I know. We did not grow up with them so we are baffled at times. Now I am trying to figure out a Yoast plug in that I downloaded.
So far we aren’t cussing the computer but I think we will be soon! I wish one of us was a computer whiz! I hate how we have to call on someone that is our son’s age to help. Such is life!
Now this is where My head is at Right Now!
I post Monday through Friday. Each post takes quite a bit of time so I decided to put up some little ones with my artwork to brighten everyone’s day!
Burning Shore Original painting has been sold
Prints on Paper or Canvas available at KENDALL KESSLER
Peaks of Otter Resort on The Blue Ridge Parkway and The Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally is almost here!
My Artwork
Now that the weather is finally warming up I am thinking about all the beautiful spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Peaks of Otter resort is high on my list and I have a number of paintings that were done from that beautiful place.
Here is the lodge. I am especially pleased with the dreamy reflections in the water and the serene mood in this painting.
Peaks of Otter Lodge Original 16″x12″ Oil painting $484.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Color Swirl over The Peaks of Otter is my favorite one of the series. I have sold a number of prints of this colorful vista. The original painting is still available!
Cloud Swirl over The Peaks of Otter Original 18″x 24″ Oil painting $864.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Craftsman Original Oil Painting has been Sold
Prints on Paper or canvas are available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Craftsman is my tribute to the great mountain people I have come into contact with through my husband.
The Peaks of Otter
The Peaks of Otter has drawn settlers and travelers for more than 8,000 years. The community began in 1776 when Thomas Wood came down from Pennsylvania and settled there. The wife of one of Wood’s descendants opened her home as the area’s first lodging for travelers in 1834.
By the late 1880s the Peak of Otter was home to 20 families, a school, church, and resort.
In the mid 1900’s it was selected for special attention as the National Parks Service developed recreation sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Abbott Lake was constructed and the resort opened in 1964.
I got this information from the Peaks of Otter online website.
Life with The Bird and Word Man – Clyde Kessler
My husband is still hard at work uploading over 2,000 bird files to Cornell University. He hopes the research he has been doing on the wildlife of this wonderful mountain region will be of help to future generations that seek to preserve his homeland.
The Mount Rogers 40th Naturalist Rally
The 2014 Rally will be May 9 & 10.
Friday Night Speaker – Nancy Lee Adamson PhD, Pollinator Conservation Specialist – East Region, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. An Introduction to Native Bees and Other “Beneficial” Arthropods of the Mid-Atlantic – learn about common native bees we can support by protecting and planting pollinator habitat. The program will highlight nesting habits of some of the 500 species of native bees in Virginia, as well as other pollinators, predators, and parasitoids that benefit from pollinator habitat.
Friday night entertainment – Ronald and Ellie Kirby will be bringing in the evening with some traditional old time tunes.
DOOR PRIZE! – David Richert has offered a free afternoon consultation on forest management as the friday night door prize.
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Another Radford Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Not just any Idiot…
My Artwork
Winding Flower Path Original Oil Painting has been Sold
Prints on Paper or Canvas available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
The beautiful weather has inspired me to put up this colorful floral that was sold in a gallery in North Carolina
Mushroom Clouds Original 30″x40″ Oil painting $2425
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
There is nothing like the beautiful light in the mountains! Not a cloud in the sky is fine, but I prefer skies with clouds!
Another Radford City Ghost Story
I having a lot of fun looking up New River Valley Ghost stories. I am a very skeptical person but they are great stories whether or not they are are true!
La Rivierie which is located in Radford by The New River is said to be haunted by a Lady that appears in a mirror. The 10 room mansion was constructed by Mary Draper Ingles grandson but was destroyed in a fire before the couple moved in. The mansion was rebuilt according to the same specifications.
Some say the woman that haunts the mansion is Mary Draper Ingles. There is a woman’s image that seems to be burned into the mirror that can be seen from a certain angle. Another theory is a that the image is of Anne Mclanahan who was a frequent visitor to the mansion. She was looking for her cat during a thunderstorm. Supposedly she was standing in front of the mirror when a lightening bolt blast seared her image in the mirror. The mirror was new and residents noticed the change after her visit.
People say she haunts the mansion and is referred to as The Lady in the Mirror.
I got this story from Strange USA.com
Life with The Word and Bird Man – Clyde Kessler
My husband and I have had a lot of trouble with vacuum cleaners. I always look for objects that will break them, but, either I don’t find them all, or the vacuum cleaners just aren’t any good. This time I am determined to take good care of the one we recently bought and I have the box with everything in it so we can return it for a full refund. I don’t like to insure household objects, but this time I am making an exception.
I used to have one that required bags but our new one has to be emptied. I am trying not to do anything stupid so I asked Clyde to empty it and then show me how. He showed me where the lever was and I then remarked that, of course, any idiot could put it back together.
He said, with eyes wide open, not just any idiot, this idiot!
No problem. Maybe we can hang on to one this time.
La Riviere”, or Ingles Castle as it is known locally–sits alongside the New River in the City of Radford. The 10 room mansion was constructed by the grandson of Mary Ingles Draper in 1893. Prior, the extravagant mansion had been constructed but had burned down the night before the couple moved in. Blueprints were given to a contractor with the request that he re-build it on the same grounds to the same specifications.
Roanoke Theater Ghost Store near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Clyde Kessler’s Latest Poetry Publications in Red Rose
My Artwork
Blue Ridge Autumn Original Painting has been Sold
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Lake Sunset Original 5″x7″ Oil Painting $75.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Pink Light Original 30″x40″ Oil Painting $2425.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Roanoke Theater Ghost Story
The Grandin Theater in Roanoke was built in 1932 and is one of the first theaters with sound. It was closed for a while in the ’50s and a homeless family lived there. Two of the children died there and some say that late at night you can hear a baby crying in the stairwell.
Former projectionists have stories about strange occurrences late at night. One time a small boy was sighted at the top of a staircase and the projectionist followed him because he thought the child hadn’t left the theater after the movie. He saw the child walk straight through the doors of the nearest screening room.
I found this story on the online version of Collegiate Times. The article is called Ghostly Stories, Haunted Sites, and Sinister Sisters Who Scare.
Life with The Word and Bird Man – Clyde Kessler
Yesterday I printed one of the two poems that Clyde just published in the online magazine, Red Rose. He is publishing his work all the time now and is included in an anthology. Here is the other poem that was published.
I hope you like it! I think his work is great! It is not easy reading so take your time and think about each word!
Elegy for a Time Freak
Clyde Kessler
I burn sundials on the moon.
Other time freaks are crating the ashes,
naming them all for all their frozen days.
At night, I know my true wish list
is a crater full of rum, a dark
breed of whiskey flowering like stars.
At work, you can trust my lighters
and rolling flints. The noon shadow
on my next bonfire is favoring silver
like a thunder-cloud to brood the Dead Sea.
There are no ratty scrolls here, nor heaven.
Clyde Kessler has been published in Silver Blade, Now and Then, Clapboard House, Rose Red Review, and Cortland Review. He lives in Radford, VA with his wife Kendall and their son Alan.
Radford City Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Clyde Kessler Ghost Poem published in Rose Red!
My Artwork
Pink Wave Original 30″x40″ Oil Painting $2425.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
I thought it would be a good idea to put up a Spring painting. Pink Wave was inspired by the beautiful Cherry blossom trees at the Radford Public Library.
View from Bridge at Wildwood Park Original 30″x40″ Oil Painting $2425.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Wildwood Park is becoming more beautiful each Spring Day!
Radford City Ghost Story
I had no idea there were so many ghost stories in Southwest Virginia! Here is another one!
A Former employee of Macados on main street in Radford wrote about a ghost story in 2005. The restaurant is modern and beautifully decorated on the outside but there is an old basement section with two pantries. In one section there is a window with glass that is not visible from the outside. The restaurant was once The Radford Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Supposedly there is a woman dressed in grey in the downstairs section and employees are told not to talk about her. Articles fly off the shelf at times and one cook says he did actually see her. They were face to face and then she faded away!
I got this ghost story from ghostvillage.com
Life with The Word and Bird Man – Clyde Kessler
My husband is really tearing up the publishing turf these days! He just published two poems in the online magazine Rose Red! This is the third issue of this publication that he has had work in! Yea Word Man!
It is an interesting coincidence that one of the poems he published is about ghosts since I have been having a great time researching local ghost stories!
A Mount Juliet Ghost
Clyde Kessler
An old lady drowned in Nashville.
She was almost ghost of the year, blind.
Somebody heard a twanging in the oaks
and said she’s home by the soul’s voice
dreaming a tree that walks through stars.
None of a moonrise’s gold could fetch
her mind in a séance. A photographer
leased her apartment above a salon,
threw his best camera at a cop car,
it struck and killed a deputy by no luck.
You see vengeance spelled with a flood
is still the soul prying itself from hate.
You can build a new house in Mount Juliet.
You can throw parties that marry you off
imprisoned. The old lady walks you home.
Radford University Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and I think we read too quickly these days
My Artwork
Memorial Bridge Original Oil Painting has been Sold
Prints on Paper or Canvas available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
New Memorial Bridge Original 30″x40″ Oil Painting $2425.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
These two paintings are before and after Radford City paintings. The New Memorial Bridge is beautiful but I loved the complicated lattice work of the old one.
Radford University Ghost Story
I am still finding New River Valley Ghost stories!
There is a rumor that a girl hanged herself in an elevator shaft in Tyler Hall at Radford University when it was an all girl college. The story is that she was with child by a professor and became so despondent that she ended her life. Student/Professor relationships were strictly forbidden in those days.
The writer of the story for The Tartan in 1995 said that one night an RA told her he noticed the door was open to the old shaft and he looked in and saw a rope hanging from the top of it. The rope startled him since he was familiar with the tale but just thought it was another rope. He shut the door but had to shut it three more times that night.
Students on the third floor have reported sounds of a baby crying that seem to be coming from the attic.
I got this story from WHIM, RUs online magazine.
Too Much Information
I think we are so bombarded with words on the internet that we are reading way too fast and missing very important information. Since I am a professional artist and I sell online I communicate with a lot of people all the time.
Sometimes I get messages from men that would like a relationship with me that is more than friendship. I am flattered but I am happily married and I always send that in the message. Oftentimes after I send that message I get another message with the same request for a relationship.
We need to slow down a little!
Life with The Bird and Word Man – Clyde Kessler
Before I met Clyde I didn’t know anything about birds beyond a robin, crow, or eagle. I am still do not know anywhere near what he knows about bird and butterflies but I know a lot more now that when I was single.
Clyde is not much for the beach but I am not happy if I don’t get there once a year. Many years ago at Rehoboth beach he pointed out an osprey to me flying over the waves. I had never heard of that eagle before that day. It is a beautiful bird and here is a painting I made to celebrate the flight of the osprey.
Osprey Evening Original 8″x10″ Oil Painting $168.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Riverview Park Beauty near The Blue Ridge Parkway and It is Difficult at Times
Riverview at Dusk Original 16″x20″ Oil painting $670.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Riverview at Dusk is one of many sites that my husband researches for bird and butterflies. He is oftentimes there very early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It is a beautiful Radford City Virginia park on The New River.
Difficult Times
The circumstances of my life are rather difficult at times. I am not going to be specific because of what a friend once said. What is the use of complaining? Someone will always complain louder.
Still, most of my friends do not have the problem I have to contend with everyday and sometimes I envy them. I do not have the freedom most people my age have and there are times I would like to scream and I do.
My husband and I do the best we can and that is all I am going to say. Enough venting. I have a lot of work to do.
Nearing The Shoals Original 12″x13″ Oil Pastel Painting $342.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
This is where I would like to be right now. I am very thankful that we will be at the beach in a few weeks.
Life with The Bird and Word Man – Clyde Kessler
I wanted to again mention 40th Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally that is coming up soon! Clyde is on the Board of Directors for The Blue Ridge Discovery Group and arranged for Nancy Lee Adamson to be this year’s speaker. Don’t miss out on a great time!
The 2014 Rally will be May 9 & 10.
Friday Night Speaker – Nancy Lee Adamson PhD, Pollinator Conservation Specialist – East Region, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. An Introduction to Native Bees and Other “Beneficial” Arthropods of the Mid-Atlantic – learn about common native bees we can support by protecting and planting pollinator habitat.
Recent Sale
If you are not in the market for an original or print I hope you will visit my Zazzle store for my work on just about anything! A great way to have my artwork in your home or a great gift!
Yesterday a pack of Sweet Pea postcards went out to a great North Carolina patron! Here is the link! NEW RIVER ART
Sweet Pea Morning at Rock Castle Gorge Original 16″x20″ Oil Painting $670.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Another Radford Ghost Story near The Blue Ridge Parkway and Spring life at Wildwood Park
My Artwork
Near Pandapas Original 30″x40″ Oil Painting $2425.00
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
Near Pandapas is another beautiful section of the woods near the pond in Gile County. When I was a kid I spent much of my time in the woods or at creeks and I especially liked to pull on vines like the one you see here.
Home in Christiansburg Original Oil Painting has been Sold
Prints on Paper or Canvas Available at KENDALL KESSLER ART
This is a home in Christiansburg that caught my eye every time I passed it so I decided to make a painting of it and the field next to it.
Radford New River Ghost Story
I am amazed at the number of ghost stories in The New River Valley. I am a very skeptical person and don’t believe in mediums or psychics but I do enjoy reading about these various sitings and what people report to be supernatural events.
Here is another Radford City one.
In the Online Ghosts of America a Radford resident reported seeing a man walk out to the middle of the lower section of the New River Trestle in Radford but before he hit the water, he vanished. There was no splash and the viewer thought it was a trick of the eye but he has found others that saw the same thing. He would like to know if there was a suicide off this bridge that is being repeated in spirit form.
Life with the Bird and Word Man – Clyde Kessler
I have been painting in oils since I was twelve and I couldn’t imagine my world without paint. Winston Churchill once said something similar about how he couldn’t imagine a world without paint.
Even though I live to paint, I haven’t met the medium that I don’t like and my portfolio has a wide selection of different ones.
A year ago I decided to add photography to my lost list of mediums and my husband has assisted me in photographing wild flowers in the local parks.
Saturday I photographed the first floral signs of Spring at Wildwood Park. While we were there, a friend showed up and found a ring neck snake. I have always been fascinated by snakes so I took some pictures for my blog. Here is the best one.
Kendall Kessler Art 