Left Eye Art

Mural Commission 09

February, Friday 13th

Life throws me a curve ball. . .

Angeline Lambert wrote to the department of social services:Fri 5/04/07 2:32 PM

"I am a mother that desperately misses her almost two year old son, Phoenix. My small family has been ripped apart for too long due to a couple misfortune situations. My husband was laid off, seems like forever ago, and is having a hard time finding a job that will pay for our bills. We don't even have very many of those. We live very simply. During this time, we borrowed money from friends and family, I tried to sell my art, my car. . .just to make our bills. Eventually, we ran out of options, and as embarrassing as it is, we were evicted from our almost $700 a month apartment, into a 70's model trailer with no heat, washer/dryer/stove, leaky windows, mold. . .It's only $300 a month, plus power, so I figured we could fix it up, save money to move into a good home.
On top of this, I am suffering from severe chronic sciatica, spinal stenosis and severe depression. I am seeing a doc, and currently setting up spinal decompression treatments, and taking multiple medications for depression and pain. The one blessing I have had is my mother. She just lost her mother in July to a very aggressive cancer. We took care of her till the end, and it is so painful, even now. My mother has been kind enough to take complete care of Phoenix until we can safely care for him. I rarely get to see him, due to our lack of transportation. (We have an explorer that needs a new transmission.) I miss my son. We need help bad. Last night, with the little floor heaters that we have, our trailer was still 43 degrees. When it rains its even worse. I'm not sure if you can help me get the funds, or connect me with someone who can help. I have photos of the trailer, before we moved in, and current. Our power bill, for 14 days was $83, and we are stumped on how to insulate, seal, and keep our trailer heated, so I can have my family back, and quit calling it "the trailer", and start calling it home. I'm sorry to burden you, and I appreciate the time and consideration you are taking in reading this. I look forward to the hope you might bring. Angeline Lambert"

Then, I wrote the Town of Mooresville on 5/21/2007 7:51:19 PM. I just couldn't take it anymore. . .

"JEFF NANTZ, OUR LANDLORD, HAS BEEN HOLDING OUR MAIL FROM US. WE LIVE IN A TRAILER THAT SITS IN HIS BACKYARD, AND HE SHUTS OUR WATER OFF ON A MONTHLY BASIS IN ORDER TO COLLECT RENT. WE PAY HIM, AND ARE SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE HIM SIGN A RECEIPT. HE WONT CALL, OR WALK OUTSIDE TO SPEAK WITH US. JUST SHUTS OUR WATER OFF. THE MAIL SITUATION IS REAL NASTY. SINCE MR. NANTZ HAS BEEN HOLDING MY MAIL, MY SONS HEALTH INSURANCE, MY HEALTH INSURANCE, OUR FOOD ASSISTANCE, AUTO INSURANCE AND POWER BILLS HAVE BEEN CANCELED. I CONTACTED THE POSTAL INSPECTOR AND HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE SHERRIF. I'VE SENSE PUT OUR MAIL ON HOLD AT THE POST OFFICE. THE TRAILER ITSELF IS STILL IN NEED OF WORK. WE HAVE PERSONALLY RE CARPETED, REPAINTED THE ENTIRE TRAILER. FIXED THE HOLES IN THE FLOORS, CAULKED EVERYTHING THAT LEAKED. IT'S COME A LONG WAY. I HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS, THANK GOD. THE ROOF LEAKS REAL BAD STILL, THE INSECTS ARE UNCONTROLLABLE, THERE IS A SMALL ANIMAL LIVING IN THE HALLWAY WALL, AND MOLD GROWING EVERYWHERE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, FOR MY TWO YEAR OLD SONS SAFETY, HE IS WITH MY MOTHER. TODAY IS MONDAY, MAY 21ST, 2007. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN WITHOUT POWER SENSE MAY 6TH, AND OUR NEIGHBOR HAS BEEN GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO OPEN HIS HOME TO US TO USE POWER. THIS MORNING I FIND OUT THAT OUR LANDLORD TURNED OFF OUR NEIGHBORS WATER TOO. (WE ARE ALL ON A WELL). WE NEED HELP BAD. I HAVE CONTACTED EVERYONE. UNITED WAY SAID THAT THE BEST THEY CAN DO FOR US IS CONDEMN THE TRAILER. WHAT ABOUT OUR HOME'S WORTH OF FURNITURE, MY CHILD'S TOYS AND BELONGINGS? I CAN'T AFFORD TO STORE THINGS, CAN'T AFFORD A DEPOSIT TO MOVE, FLAT BROKE AND SCARED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME IN DEALING WITH OUR PROBLEMS. ANGELINE LAMBERT"

The Town of Mooresville response:

"'First of all, I..m sorry this is happening to you. You are outside of our jurisdiction and the Iredell County Sheriff..s Office handles calls on Cornelius Road. Their number is (704) 878-3180. The State of North Carolina does have laws that protect tenants and the magistrate in Statesville can provide some information on civil remedies that may help you. Their number is (704) 878-4211. I spoke with Ilene Barge with the Community Housing Development Corporation of Mooresville-South Iredell. They build houses for first time home buyers that have a low to medium income. Ilene..s number is (704) 799-7641. You may get help with emergency shelter from the Fifth Street Shelter in Statesville. Their number is (704) 872-4045. Also, the Mooresville Chrisitian Mission may help with other needs. Their number is (704) 664-2357. I hope this information helps. Captain Robbins'"

My response:

"I just sent you a letter telling you of my landlord turning off my water. . .no more than 20 minutes of sending it, my neighbors came running to let me know my home was on fire. It's 9:23pm, and my family is homeless. Angeline Lambert"

Their response:

'"We are so sorry to hear of your misfortune. The Town of Mooresville does not supply water service to your address so we do not know why your landlord turned off your water. Cornelius Road is in the Shepherds Volunteer Fire Department district so the Town Fire Department would not have received the call concerning your fire. We sincerely wish the best for you as you recovery from your loss.'"

This is the last thing on that fire that I have heard. I wrote Wes Green, responder to the fire this.

"This is Angeline Lambert, wife, mother and previous tenant of the trailer that burned down at 199-A Cornelius Drive. I spoke with the landlords' insurance adjuster just the other day while I was at the trailer doing a once over, seeing if I could salvage just one more thing. He told me that the fire was set in two places. Is this the truth?

Also, I'd like to ask how I go about obtaining a report of that night. I was told that I would receive a copy of the report that night. I have photos of the trailer before we moved in, during our renovations there, and after the fire. The adjuster told me to tell you that I had them. If there is anything I can do to help out, or any more questions you need answered? I have a ton of things I'd like to tell you in regards to how terrible of a landlord Jeff Nantz was. If it has any relevancy to you, I'm more than willing to divulge the information to you.

Thank you and your crew for such a fast response to put out that fire that night. A special thanks to the firemen who went through the burnt wreckage to pull out the art that remained salvageable. The Red Cross, friends and family have come to our aid. . .we will be moving to our new home soon.

I appreciate your time in reading and responding to my inquiries. . .

Angeline Lambert"

Now I am trying to put it all past me. It has been hard. The stench of the fire and loss hung around inside my head forever.I have finally stopped seeing fire when I close my eyes at night to sleep, and I have quit trying to remember all that I lost. EXCEPT for my art. The pieces that I was able to save from the fire, I am slowly restoring them, and selling them for half the value I would like.

So if you see anything you are interested in, please ask for the pricing. I was more than fair before the fire damage. I would just like to get rid of the reminders. It will help me get "LEFT EYE ART", back up and out of the soot.

xoxo
Angeline

KillingJoker

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Recient Portraits

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Life After the Fire

I have since begun a new life. Working on tons of art. Visart in Charlotte has been showing a few of my comic peices, which in turn has brought me new clients. Things are turning out nicely.