`Defeat should never be an option'
Mike Larsen is one of Oklahoma's great artists. Born of Chickasaw heritage, Mike has been recognized as one of the most admired and respected professional fine artists. He's also a gifted writer. With some minor changes and his permission, I'm sharing this story from his book “Don't Never Be Afraid of Your Horses.” Mike writes:
“On Jan. 5, 1991, my studio above The Jesus is Lord Pawn Shop burned in what was a magnificent fire. Dozens of paintings, artifacts and a fine library fueled the flames. My proposal painting for a huge project that was to become, possibly, a fixture at the Oklahoma State Capitol, also went up in smoke.
“My wife Martha and I had gone out that night for dinner. We had just returned home when we got the call from a friend who lived near the studio. I still to this day cannot remember how I felt as we drove there. We parked a block away because the streets were blocked by the police and fire equipment. I ran up to the corner of the studio where, inside, my easel stood, with my finished proposal on it. Flames were roaring out the windows.
“I cursed and yelled at God. Someone took me by the arm and led me away. We had no insurance.
“The chaplain for the fire department took Martha and I half a block away to a shoe store that was serving as a command post. He was very comforting and I don't believe I apologized to him for cursing so much.
“He kept asking who our minister was. Martha told him because the only words coming out of my mouth were words I still can't repeat. Fifteen minutes later as I was cursing at a reporter lady who wanted me to go on television, the most incredible thing happened. In walked a very tall man wearing a huge fur cap with ear flaps over a raincoat that must have belonged to his wife. All this was covering pajamas with Christmas tree designs and his feet stuffed in very fuzzy slippers — our minister.
“Dear God. And to think, we had been listening to this man preach for years. The effect on me was that, at least I quit cursing at everything that moved. God works in mysterious ways I suppose. Our minister the Rev. Mike Anderson, did stay with us until they knocked the fire down. I'll always remember him for that.
“Mike said to me that night, `God will bring something good out of this tragedy.' I heard his hope but it didn't soak into the hole created by this devastating loss. Still, the next morning we leaned into that hope by attending
our church, Westminster Presbyterian. Right away we discovered that we had more friends than we thought. One artist we knew showed up on our doorstep that morning with a check. Another artist organized an `art shower' for us and everyone showed up with money or art supplies, or both. A friend and patron offered a building for us to use as a studio — rent free.
“Through the good graces of the director of the State Arts Council, we were given extra time to complete another proposal for the large mural in the Capitol building.
“A few months later, I received a call from that same director.
“The commission was mine. I had won.
“My mural would commemorate and honor the five ballerinas, all from Oklahoma, all Native American, and all world famous at the same moment in history.
“I hung up the phone, got up, walked over to my new easel and the phone rang again. It was the editor of Southwest Art Magazine. I had the cover of the upcoming June issue. These events changed my career.
“We could have gone two different ways after the fire. Luckily, Martha and I are both very positive people, and very faithful. We knew the fire would set us back, but we weren't willing to let it defeat us. Defeat was not an option. Defeat should never be an option.
“The fire that had blackened my past served only to illuminate my future. And strengthen my faith.”
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28.