KIART

To the Graduating Class of 2024:

Our son Brian Hoeflinger died in a tragic car accident four months before graduating high school at the young age of 18. He was a kid just like you who had hopes and aspirations of going to college and having a full happy life.

On the night he died, he was at a party with friends drinking vodka and ended up driving intoxicated. I remember the phone call we received late that night when we learned Brian had been in a car accident. The sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach and the frantic racing of your heart when you don’t know if your child has been hurt or if he is even still alive. Your entire body trembles uncontrollably with fear as you anticipate what you will be told on the phone. We were told to come to the hospital immediately.

I remember the drive to the hospital. It was cold and snowing that night. We were so scared of what we were about to find out. How badly was our son Brian injured? When my wife and I arrived at the hospital, we were told Brian was dead. Our bodies were numb. We immediately felt empty and completely alone inside. “How can this nightmare be real?” is all you can think to yourself.

We were walked back to the room where Brian was. That image of our son lying there on a cold gurney dead at age 18 will never leave our minds for as long as we live. His pale lifeless body lying there almost as though he were asleep, wishing he were only asleep but knowing all to well that he was dead and never coming back home with us ever again. It is the worst singular feeling we have ever experienced in our lives.

The second worst feeling was telling our other three children at home about an hour later that their older brother Brian was dead and gone forever. The pain we inflicted upon them at that moment in the middle of the night was unthinkable. There are no words to give justice to what took place. At our children’s request, we took them to the hospital to see Brian. It would be the last time that they would ever get to see him so close to being alive. It was heartbreaking to watch Kevin, Julie and Christie say goodbye to their big brother forever that night. The lasting image of him lying there dead on a gurney in the emergency department permanently seared into their minds. That life we had with Brian is over now and an unwelcome new life without Brian has taken its place.

We tell you this story because Brian could be any one of you, if you choose to drink. And we say choose, because it is your choice and nobody else’s. Once you take your first drink of alcohol, you are not making the decisions, the alcohol is. You are putting yourself and others at risk for injury or, even worse, dying like Brian.

Now you may say that Brian was stupid and not a responsible person. You would never be that dumb or make that mistake and it could never happen to you. Well, Brian used to say that too and look how it turned out for him. Let us tell you, Brian was not a stupid person. He had a 4.5 GPA, 32 ACT score, was a 4 handicap golfer, and was accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was his first choice in colleges. Brian always made good decisions until alcohol was involved. You see, you can’t make good decisions when you drink alcohol. No matter how much you think you can, you can’t. Brian proved that.

He is now frozen in time at the age 18 with no chance to move forward or to make a difference in the lives of others. As for you, you are very much alive and able to make your destiny what you want. This is a very defining time in your life because at this moment you are able to choose the path in life you wish to follow. At this moment, you have the chance to help change the future by taking a stand against drinking, especially drinking and driving. You are able to define who you are and to make a difference now. It is your time to be a leader that others will want to follow.

It is a privilege to be alive and to be able to make a difference in the lives of others. Brian lost that chance with a bad decision and we’re sure he wouldn’t make that same mistake twice. But for Brian, there is no second chance. No chance to redo things. As for you, you still have the chance to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. If we could ask you to remember just one thing from this letter, it would be to have fun without drinking. Be a leader and make it cool not to drink. You can do it. We know you can.

And lastly, but most importantly, don’t Drink and Drive or ride with someone who has been drinking. If you could feel for only a brief moment the extreme anguish and pain that we as a family feel over Brian’s death every moment of every day, then you would understand what drinking can cost you and your family. Please think about it.
Think about what Brian lost, all his hopes, dreams and ultimately his life, as a result of alcohol. Please don't make the same mistake. Stay safe and make it to graduation. Don't put your family through what we are going through.

The Hoeflinger family
www.BrianMatters.com

Brian would have graduated June 6, 2013 from Ottawa Hills High School in Toledo, Ohio. He would be 28 years old now. As you are going through the fun and excitement of these final days, preparing for prom, graduation ceremonies and all the parties of your friends, think of us. There are no memories of senior prom for us or pictures of his graduation that we have. During graduation, we sat in the audience, not the proud parents of a wonderful son accepting his diploma with his classmates, but the parents choking back tears of grief and regret that he was not there. We are the parents who were never able to visit their son at college or who will never meet the wife and grandchildren that could have been. We are the siblings mourning the death of the brother that we all looked up to but will never see again. For us, this is the harsh reality of teenage drinking.

The above letter is part of a book that we wrote shortly after Brian's death. The book is titled, "The Night He Died: The Harsh Reality of Teenage Drinking." The book is real life. Have your kids read it. Their perspective on drinking alcohol will change. I promise.

Most Importantly, Please Share this Post with all your Facebook friends in hopes that we can save at least one graduating senior and their family from an unnecessary tragedy due to alcohol this prom and graduation season. Every senior should make it to graduation day!

Just finished and listed in my Etsy Shop- on to the next as they say🐴

https://kiartcreations.etsy.com/listing/1682923465

Bring k9 Odin home, organized by Logan Smith Organized for Bryant Lewellyn and his K9 companion, Odin. Bio: This fundraiser is to help me keep… Logan Smith needs your support for Bring k9 Odin home

Two more seahorses almost done. I am really happy with the size of the smaller seahorse my woodworker (my husband ) cut out for me. It is just the right size for a display piece for someone with limited space - although they are a handsome pair together! On to the next!!

Post from a local Beekeeper 🐝
“It's late, and maybe in the morning I'll delete this post, but I've just got home and for now I need to write this down.
Earlier this evening I received a message from a homeowner to say they had a swarm of bees in their hedge, but they were worried about them because children had been throwing water at them.
By the time my fellow beekeeper and I arrived, what had been a beautiful prime swarm was reduced to a few hundred drenched bees, huddling limply around their queen.
I've already deleted the photos of the puddles of water, the dripping wet hedge, and the many, many dead and dying bees that hadn't been able to escape the attack; sharing those pictures serves no purpose.
We gently placed the bees that had survived into a collection box, and hopefully tomorrow, when they've had a chance to dry out and settle, we'll check on them and if necessary feed them; they'll be exhausted and possibly (understandably) defensive. They've been through a lot.
Please, please, help me to educate your children, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews, your neighbors, your colleagues, and your friends that a swarm of bees isn't dangerous - they're amazing creatures that are just looking for a new home.
Please don't let anyone harm them. Just call a beekeeper who will gladly rehome them.
Please help me to spread this message and hopefully save any more bees from being unnecessarily harmed” 😢
- A Sad and unhappy Beekeeper

Here is another seahorse which has a light brushing of acrylic paint on top of the pyroart designs. I intentionally let the natural grain of the wood remain visible. A few finishing touches and this will be ready for market.

I’ve been working on seahorses for upcoming November markets and for a dog rescue fundraiser. I’m using pyroart to embellish the wood with my hand drawn designs (although a lot is done freehanded, driven by both inspiration and luck- LOL!) Not sure if I will apply some Danish oil in places- I’m pondering that at the moment. For the unfinished stack of seahorses on my workstation- I will probably do pyroart and acrylic paint. I’ll post them when I’m done!

Getting ready for the upcoming markets!

Finished a few more pieces and listed a couple on etsy.

For this dolphin, I first did some wood burning to create the flower, leaves and some texture and dimension on the tail, dorsal/ventral fins and mouth area. Then, I painted with acrylic paint and then layered in a rainbow of metallic acrylic accents. On to the next as they say!

We are blessed to see dolphins swimming in the Gulf from time to time. So, today, I am working on a dolphin art piece made from wood- which my woodworker husband cut for me. And, BTW, all of our woodworking and designs are done free hand- no store-bought stenciling is used.

I have just finished the wood burning accenting and now I’ll use some acrylic gel and a variety of acrylic paints to make a spiffy, lovely dolphin for a lackluster wall! Oh come on now, no judgment here- we all have them 🤭

Just finished this wooden fish art piece for my neighbor. Their house is yellow orange so this will add some nice Beachy themed color pop in their lanai. Created with a combination of wood burning and lots and lots of layers of acrylic paint. All done free hand no cheat sheets 😊.

Finished projects- I’m deciding what my next project will be.

A quick multimedia painting of a friend’s horse!

I’ll be working on painting these little Thelwell figurine treasures I found on eBay; I was told by the seller that they were left behind when the factory closed in the 80’s. This birthday figurine is going to be a gift for a genuine horsewoman. Thelwell’s brilliant creativity and artworks; however, can be appreciated by many - not just those of us who adore horses.

Just finished the wood burning on these two and I think I’ve a color scheme plan for painting. It’s a great day for painting outside - enjoying it while it lasts!

Monday already - weekends always seem to fly by!
I should be doing chores- but have been working on this piece instead. I redrew my plumeria drawing to better fit a larger fish. I’ll be doing a few more using different colors and then post on KIARTCREATIONS with etsy.

Just finished this one and now am waiting for the paint to dry. With respect to the “color pop” scale, this photo is a tad muted. Nonetheless, the green body and metallic paint accents throughout provide lovely contrast, and, I actually find this pice rather stunning 🤭. I do love all my fish, though, and love to explore the color palette with each one. Remember- I do everything by hand. Those flowers are from one of my sketches - just as are all my fish. I’ll be listing this along with the others in KIARTCREATIONS on Etsy. I plan on doing this design in different colors. I can do custom orders if you are interested.
Oh and coming soon- I’ll post some of the picture frames my talented husband makes.
Happy to answer any questions or provide more info!
Have a creative Saturday.

New additions to my “fish art” offerings and they will be listed on Etsy, soon. With three of these pieces, I combined both wood burning and acrylic gel mediums to obtain texture and dimension. Throughout the main body of the moon and sun fish, for example, I applied an acrylic gel medium which contains glass beads. The “Dreamy Moon” fish - has areas of it to resemble clusters of stars like that of a nighttime sky.
Well, back to the drawing board for me… I am working on developing my logo for the Tampa Bay Market application. And for some reason-I’m a little stuck!

Message ❤️

Happy Sunday… Not typical humid Florida today - at least for our area - thus the paint is easier to work with and dries nicely. Love when I have nice painting weather as I work outdoors. Done with this one, so, on to the next!

My husband just cut these out- they are a little different than my other designs. I’ve started one fish and as you probably can see I’ve done some wood burning. It’s a little bit of a tricky process- reminds me of a time when I used to work with a warm glass artist whom was located in upstate NY. You have to stay very focused on where you’re working, and, remember not to touch the spot you are burning or just burned. It sounds easy enough, but it’s not. Oftentimes I use my finger when I am painting, so it’s become a reflex response. Unfortunately, it is only effective for painting and drawing! Anyway, I’m pondering the colors. Gradations of orange, perhaps?

Happy Saturday!! Just finished this painting.
Love the energy and rich colors. Lots of layers and blending - which is my thing - along with some texture.
Entitled “Tequila Sunrise Morning” 24”x12” acrylic painting on a stretched canvas.
Can be hung as is ** unframed**or hung using a floating frame.
Painting is being sold unframed.
Custom frame can be made by my woodworker husband for an additional fee!
Message me for additional info, etc.
Will be posting it in Etsy (KIARTCREATIONS) in the near future…

Add a little coastal charm to chase away the winter chill! Here’s a nice 10”x8” acrylic painting on canvas that will make you feel warm and cozy. Hang on the wall as is or add a floating frame. $40 plus shipping.
My husband makes frames- please message me for pricing if you are interested or have questions, etc.

I recently completed this acrylic painting which I have entitled “Cold Front.” Painted on 10 X 20 professional grade canvas. You can hang it on the wall as is or use a floating frame. I am asking 70.00 plus shipping- but the price will change when I list it on Etsy. My husband makes frames if you are interested in a custom frame- which will be additional fee.

Oh the luxury of having a studio! Here is my workbench out on the lanai. The process of layering paint for dimension and depth and using gel for texture can take several days. It can be pretty tricky when it is very hot and humid. So I often work on several pieces at a time and then switch to a painting which is in progress.

Here is a spiffy school of fish to liven up a wall or area in need of color and inspiration- $130 plus shipping. Buy through Etsy or contact me for a purchase using PayPal. Message me for custom color or more info.