Tom Lyle was an amazing teacher who I owe my artistic growth to. He pushed me when nobody else would. He encouraged me to fail. To try new things and to fail doing them. He held my nose to the grindstone when I was too stubborn to do it. But most of all, he made me feel like an artist. He made me feel like I could accomplish something. I only wish I had published something when he was alive, something that would have made him say “I knew you could do it, Joe.” Because he did. He knew I had it in me. I needed discipline and I needed confidence. And he gave me both. He wasn’t a namby-pamby spoon feeder of confidence either. If I cut corners or didn’t try as hard as I could he knew it and he would let me have it. The man pulled no punches and I have to thank him for that. We didn’t always agree (he hated Rush) but he knew when I was overwhelmed and would talk to me, relate to me- I just, I can’t believe he’s gone. I never got a chance to tell him how much he meant to me. He was quite possibly the most influential teacher I will ever have. Thank you Tom. You did so much for me. You made me believe in myself and my creations and I can’t thank you enough for being you and letting me fail just so you could build me back up. You were an amazing man who I strive to be more like everyday- but you also taught me I should be myself. And I will do that. I will take a little here and a little there, just like you said to do with artwork- and I will put it together to become the best person I can be. And it’s all built on the foundation you set for me Tom. I love you, man. You were the best. Now rest, brother. You’ve earned it.
Tom’s passing has left his wife Sue in tremendous medical debt because my country’s healthcare system is abysmal. Tom loved Sue with all his heart and the way he spoke about her made me realize just how much I was in love with my future wife. I want to be able to grow old and still talk about her with the same goofy enamored love that Tom did for Sue. Please, if you can, donate to this GoFundMe to help Sue out. She’s a wonderfully kind and intelligent being and she loved Tom more than any of us could.
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