Memories of Inez running-rabbit

"When I was little Inez made my brother and me stuffed cloth dolls to play with. You could move the arms and legs any direction. I bent the arms the way a person's arms could not naturally bend. Inez yelled, "Oh no!  You have broken your little man's arms!" And that was my first lesson in anatomy. I took that to heart and it became a crucial foundation to my future life as a professional sculptor.

I really appreciated being raised in an artistic atmosphere and being allowed to participate in her art classes and enjoy all the help, encouragement and facilities that I was given. It seemed like we lived in another world where everyone was an artist, and that’s what was important.”  

                                                                                   - Gary Marc Henson, her middle son.  

"My favorite memories of my Grandmother are of her storytelling. She never ran out of stories and always made time to tell them. I always felt so special when her magically soft hands held mine while she told another captivating tale. They were true stories from her life, but they would take me away to another world. I dreamed of being like her. Her creativity was boundless. She created enough from her fingertips to fill multiple lifetimes. Her energy was calming. You could feel her heart in her words and art. I am grateful to have experienced her warmth and unique view on life. And I am grateful for all the beauty that she left to share with the world."

                                                    -Inez's granddaughter Abby Verbryck

       "When I was about 10 years old, Inez took my brother Gary and me to a pawn shop where we found archery bows. I remember Inez could hardly ever tell us no when we wanted anything, so my brother and I each went home with a bow. She then took us to a retired friend of hers who had an archery shop in his garage. She asked him to teach us how to make arrows and to provide us with all the materials we would need. She also made us a target by tightly binding straw rounds and covered with a brightly painted canvas target on the front. The experience launched in me a life-long love for archery. 

         Inez was one of the hardest working people I have ever known, and I was definitely her work horse as well. Throughout my life I have been captivated by her intrinsic creative spirits and talents. The potent dynamism and rigor with which she lived her life, inspired in me a state of awe and wonder. Throughout my adult life I continued assisting Inez, compelled by reverent respect, appreciation, and the pure joy of experiencing life with her. I consider her to be the Bohemian originator of a whole new art genre known as “Cosmic Energy Art”, establishing her as an iconic figure in art history. It is as if she was plugged into a cosmic energy that flowed through her, animated her, and was outwardly expressed through her artwork.”  

                                           - Robin Henson, Inez's youngest son

           Inez Running-rabbit lived at 1436 S. Carson. That roomy 2+story was her studio as well as home. She welcomed boarders who were involved in the arts, including me and Gene, who I met there. At the time we were regular guests, I think there was only one other person who actually rented a room.

          In the summer of 1974 my boyfriend Gene and I were talking engagement. We asked Inez to make our wedding rings. She did! I still have mine. They were 24K rolled gold on Sterling with an etched scrolled edge and little leaves around the gemstone. His was set with a blue Australian opal; mine was a Mexican opal with lots of orange fire. She said, “I chose the blue for Gene to reflect his vocal qualities. I chose orange with green flecks for you Sue to reflect your inner spirit and healthy outlook on life.” 

           My mother was gravely ill and passed in September 1975. Inez  and I agreed to “adopt” each other. We called each other “spirit mother and daughter.” From that time forward, even after Gene and I parted in 1976, we remained Mother/Daughter to each other.  She truly made me feel part of her inner circle of family! Whenever I received a large manila envelope with new photocopies and hand-written letter, my attitude soared! 

             I had been in discussion with Mom on many occasions about my name. She was wrestling with me on different names that might better define me. ME!  She thought Mari, as “coming from the sea” or “beloved” might appeal to me. She added “Su” to it believing it sounded more like a Native American name. I took to that immediately! Somehow, the way Inez said it, I felt like I’d come home!’ She even added “deem” to become “MariSu Deem” in several of her letters to me. She and I discussed it and we both agreed that just MariSue would be my best choice for all legal documents following my divorce in 1995.  

            I have always felt the power of her wisdom and heard the strength of her spirit in every word she shared with me. Mom told me “There is a reason God has dealt these difficult choices to you and to me.”  

            Inez Running-rabbit was my true soul mate. She and I bonded as an unlikely mother-daughter team. We understood the vitality of life itself, and saw in each other the need to fulfill our God-given gifts through the giving to our men, as well as others in our world. More importantly, we shared the love of experience by learning from each other. I will honor her memory in every way I can!  

                                            - Mary Sue aka MariSu Wiedemann