I was born 7/27/49 at Chicago Hospital. My birth name was Reha Nell Hart. I have never discovered anything about my birth parents, only that I was abandoned at a type of daycare in Chicago by my father, and went to Lake Bluff Orphanage.

My art has always been important in my life. The way I've seen the world, the way I've gained my perspective. I apprenticed in Chicago, Illinois at Fleming Studios. Illustration has always been my form of expression. I was given a great gift, and that was the ability to share with others through teaching art. I was a teaching Artist for many years in Memphis, Tennessee.

After my adoption in 1952 I lived in Dolton, Illinois. My name and birth certificate after the final court hearing became Ranelle Mikula. This outfit is one I still have in a hope chest...

Dance lessons were a gift to me because I had such poor bone structure. Prior to my adoption I suffered malnutrition and neglect. I wore special inserts in shoes and took Calcium supplements for many years.

TV always fascinated me, the images on a little screen, the "magic screen" and to actually draw right on that screen.

Our basement was so large we were able to play in the winter on a swingset.

My father enjoyed sitting on the floor with me, we would eat "Jiffy Pop" or special treats and watch the TV.

His favorite memory was sitting on the floor with me and drawing, always making sure to put the crayon in my left hand.

My Uncle was responsible for everyone calling me Randi. He called me Rand I Nell. My father started a printing business called Rand Printing.

Not long after my own adoption, my parents began the process to adopt Reid C. Reid was my foster brother. A sensitive child, and even though he was a year younger than me we were soon best of friends. You could not hurt him physically (his real homelife was so horrible that he became immune to physical pain) but the words I Hate You, would crush him. We lost Reid when it became apparent that the adoption process would not happen, and he was moved to another foster home. I saw him once after he left, when I was about 12. He was much taller by then!

Although I have never proven otherwise, it seems I share a birthday with my father, July 27th. It may have been a coincidence, or it may have been decided since the records of my birth are not clear.

Cinderella and the Mice. I was the mouse on the left.


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My Sons, Bobby 2/18/78 and John 3/10/83 are both left handed. Bobby is gifted in writing, and John in music.

To see pictures of all my grandchildren and my "Grown up sons" please follow the links to these pages

John, Misti, Lilyanna & Layla

Bobby, Lina, Isabella & Robert Jr.

"Self-taught am I, and the god has planted in my Heart all manner of lays, and worthy am I to sing to thee as to a god; wherefore be not eager to cut my throat."
~ Homer Odyssey 22.345

If you want to learn more about me, or just want to talk, please, push the mail button ...

Tim & Randi's Wedding

Poetry