Dedication

The contents of this web site, and any success we have had in the past or will have in the future, at Imageline is dedicated to the one person on this planet who really made this all happen. Our real ‘Chairwoman of the Board’ ... Flora Haden Riddick … my wonderful mother.

When you hear the word “Flora” around here, everyone knows exactly what you are talking about. The woman who has spent the past eighty-seven years of her life creating happy memories and spreading smiles around to everyone.

When others said Imageline was taking on too many challenges it could not meet by being here in Ashland, Virginia, one person spoke up over the noise and said it wasn’t so.

Flora has supported the mission of Imageline ever since we first opened our doors many years ago. She has always shown enthusiasm and a sincere interest for everything we tried to do ... even when we failed in achieving some of our goals. Who could ever ask for a better support system than that?

My parents taught me respect for great artwork when I was just a young boy, and art has been one of my true passions all of my life. I get just as much joy from the few originals I have that are quite stunning as I do from the “special treats” I found at a yard sale one morning for under five bucks each. Flora does, too!

I am not a great artist, myself, but I am very fortunate that I seem to know what people like and need to meet their goals. There is no such thing as good or bad art in my opinion. Art is an individual thing and is very personal. That is why we try to present a wide variety of styles here at Imageline.

Some artists, like my father, tended to never finish the individual works of art he undertook for fun. Of course, at Riddick Advertising Art, a deadline was never missed for a client. Flora thinks it’s because he got such a joy from continuously working on his personal art projects and making it different based on his moods.

Although artwork is personal, there is a difference in how someone produces the digital artwork these days from a technical point of view, how they apply the artwork to achieve their objectives, and how they protect their property. We think we do all of that at Imageline as well, if not better, than anyone.

Flora has always stood steady at the helm. Not many people could have survived everything that she has gone through in her life.

When tragedies hit our family, just like they do most others, as well, the strongest guiding light has always been “Flora”. She wakes up every single day with a positive attitude, a big smile on her face, and a sincere desire to help someone who happens to be less fortunate than she.

Who else do you know who spent three weeks in Okinawa this spring and calls her fondest memory visiting with the young school children in their schools and watching them laugh and sing? Who would have ever been able to tell that this was only the third flight on an airplane Flora has been on in her life by the joy that radiated from her body and her smile at the airport before she boarded the plane with her sister, Jane?

Flora sets an example for all of us here at Imageline. And she’s been the friendliest venture capitalist I know over the years, as well. It will truly be a pleasure to see her get the return on her investments that she so deserves.

But you know what she would say, and says often to me privately when we meet. She has already gotten her “return” from being able to see all of the creative products and services Imageline has managed to produce over the years, often under sometimes very difficult circumstances, and to watch the smiles that great artwork brings to the people who have an opportunity to enjoy it or use it in their work.

“Eighty-seven years young” is what I say. Flora knows more about copyright law and vector artwork than 99% of the people in this country who are less than half her age. She doesn’t miss a trick. And she’s been this way for the past 30 years. I guess being married for fifty-two years to a hard working and talented entrepreneur, artist, and designer, herself, didn’t hurt.

Thanks for all of your enthusiasm and support, mom. It’s hard to have a bad day when you are around!

Rest well, sweet Flora. Let someone else spread the smiles for awhile. We’ve got you covered this time!

This web site, and all of new digital artwork, is dedicated to you, Flora. What time have you scheduled the Board meeting for on Monday?