Sunday, September 18, 2011

A start on "Lobsterman of Portland Head" and in process on "Young Warriors"

This is about a relationship between a father and a son.  We have very brave young men out there and our sons will lay down their very lives for those they serve along with and fight for.  Be glad America you have a marine watching over you.  They are truly mighty men of valor. 


We talk to our sons out there in Afghanistan and we listen carefully to every word and unspoken pauses.  As a dad, Joel listens to what his son Rob is doing out there with absolute respect and awe.  You see as parents, our sons have become our heroes.  They have matured beyond their years as we reflect on the transformation we have seen from teenager to the warrior they are now. 



Joel is a lobster man and his boat dances in the surf off  Portland Head's famous lighthouse.  There is a unique language out there that is exclusive to the area.  Lobsterman terms shared between father and son gave Joel a unique look into what our marines were doing.  If a call comes in while he on his boat Joel makes his way to the stern, dangles his feet over the water and talks in his metaphorical terms.  Rob will tell his dad that some days in Afghanistan new bait works better, red fish was expensive (better, more high tech weaponry) or herring bait meant (everyday weaponry used).  Sometimes in Rob's travels on his Afghanistan patrols, he may go the short distance between Cliff Island to Peaks Island, or as far as Cliffs Island to Portland.  No sensitive secrets given, just a language spoken in native lobstermans terms off the coast of Maine near the wreck of the Annie McGuire.  Joel sails his hauler with his son's photo in a medallion and a marine flag that he will not replace until his son comes home safe.  He even saves the threads from the flag that are wearing out in a bag nearby.  He will retire that flag with all its parts later.  For now, this father truly misses his son of whom he is so proud.  Rob and his dad are not so far as they share a heart language.  Here, the continents bridge.        

I started color blocking this in an oil.  More to come on this one.

Also is an in process update on "Young Warriors"  This is an oil pastel utilizing oil bars and oil based colored pencil.  More also on this one to come.

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