Progression on "Watching Over You"

Titles will either be there before a painting starts or it will evolve and come to light like this one with Lcpl Bryan Bullock I am calling, "Watching Over You".   I asked Forest what that is like being topside.   Bryan is 14 feet up in a turret that is part of a mammoth vehicle called an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Armored Vehicle.  He told me when you are up there you have a 360 degree view so you can direct the ones below driving that have limited vision.  It is a very important part of that job, so Bryan is keeping watch over his brothers in the vehicle below.  Their teamwork is a part of them, like a family they will do anything to keep each other safe. 
I know they are trained this way, but I can tell you as parents, we had the first part in that training.    While at homecoming last year at Camp Lejeune, I observed a squad of marines driving tanks.  They looked so happy, I noted to memory my own title, "A Man and His Tank!".  I think Bryan has that happy look too. 

Almost there on this pastel on velour board.  Pastels carry a soft look as it is but with this velour board it is even softer, kind of like oil on velvet.  There will be more to come very soon.  I am trying to finish this for the Veteran's Expo and Homecoming Parade at the NY State Fairgrounds November 5th.  Lots happening, hope to see you there.  I want to give back to my heroes.  When I sell prints, 10 % will go to the Wounded Warriors.  I can only take orders at the expo, but I am still so grateful to be able to present and tell their stories.  Big thanks to Diana Abdella at Assemblyman's Magnerelli's office.  She has been responsible to putting together this Veteran's Celebration that will take time to honor our military.

Update on "The Lobsterman of Portland Head"

Here is the latest on the painting of Joel McCann, "The Lobster Man of Portland Head".  Last Weekend I demonstrated oil bars that work like drawing with a tube of oil paint.  

I still want to jump on board and try some lobster trapping in that surf at Portland Head.  I may turn out to be a real landlubber, but I would still like to give it a go (even if it is just for a day).  Have you ever done that? 






I have a few paintings going on that I would love to have everyone ready for Nov. 5th, so the race is on.  Part of me is trying to write to the National Museum of the Marines, Jacksonville, NC that will start its construction soon and have my series available for their opening, the other is sending information still to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, the Joining Forces initiative and the Smithsonian in DC.  All in the works, so I will give you updates on that as it progresses.  Wish I had two of me. 

I still have not named this painting in Panpastel on velour board of Lcpl Bryan Bullock (could be corporal by now, not sure).  I would love to know what was going on in his mind that day.  It is such a cool perspective. 

I have met his wife Devin and we have spoke a few times.  They are newly weds.  Can only imagine what that is like for Devin here at home and Bryan out there.  I have another painting with a photo in a helmet, that is part of a larger collage called "while you were away".   

More updates to come. 

Putting "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective" Into Perspective

Last week, I discovered how important it is to keep your dreams on tract.  These paintings each have their own stories, yet they congeel and connect together.  Like a group of individual short stories, they come together by centering around a journey in this military life.  This week I sort of lost tract of what I was tying to do.  I focused on the art rather than reason for the art.  The series needs to stay together and not go to contests for one individual painting.  The paintings are linked together and should be shown together.  

When I started this series "A Military Series  - A Parent's Perspective", I asked God if he could bless me with the talent to capture what I saw, I would tell their stories.  God has given me that ability and passion to represent through my paintings, our brave military and the families that stand behind them.  It is my job to present each story, to teach America what our families are going through and how we see the commitment our sons and daughters put into motion everyday, keeping you safe and free. 

This series is meant to break barriers between differenting views and opinions the general public may have.  What is behind the weaponry is a very real person who is making a difference in this world.  Freedom is not free, it takes work and investment to bring about change in a foreign land, whose outcome produces peace.   

Next month, after the 174th Army division's homecoming parade, I will present all 15 paintings and all those stories at the Veteran's Expo at the State Fair Grounds from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.   

Final on "Daddy Don't Go" and progression on "Got You In My Sight"

"Daddy Don't Go" is finished and on its way to getting framed. 

I will be calling Major David Schreiner to show him the finished work.  We had a discussion when I was first working on it.  I have a few more to ask.  Addison is now 5.  Such sorrowful eyes.  I know her daddy loves her. 

It reminds me we have quite a few new additions this deployment to Forest's 3/6 battalion.  The next painting coming up will be about those things that keep us going during deployment called, "While You Were Out".  We will keep little reminders close by like a bracelet or dog tag for a mom or fiance or wife.  Some of the guys will put photos under their helmets (Forest tells me the photos don't last long because of the sweat-ewhh!).  Some will have a photo of a new baby born in the US during the months of deployment.  Just wait until homecoming- Awhh!  These little ones are just so sweet.  And we are all praying for a quick and safe return home.    I am still looking for the rest of the babies pictures and getting permission to use the images for        this painting, so more to come. 

"Got You In My Sight", The image is due to go to the Gamblin Paint company before the end of the day.  I will be putting the finishing touches on the weapon.  It is just a cool angle to look at. 

Big demo day at work.  I will be starting another PanPastel with Cpl Bryan Bullock(Cool angle on this one too).  Looking forward to this one on Velor Board.  Got to go. 

"Got My Sights On You"

You may need to see "Got My Sights On You" at its finish to understand all that is happening in this painting.  The photographer gives you an unusual look into what a marine is looking through.  Ever wonder what it is like to take aim?  Deadly aim?  This is what it looks like from a warriors view. 

I am using an unstretched peice of canvas that I have applied over clear gesso.  Gamblin has a contest to produce a monocolor using Toret Gray with black and white.  More to come this week as Gamblin needs a final submitted by Oct 1.  I will be pushing because I also will be talking with some marketing consultants on my Military Series.  Busy week ahead. 

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.

"Morning Patrol" - In Process

Introducing "Morning Patrol" or Sunrise in a Dust Storm?  Not sure of the title yet.  The photos from one of my Syracuse Marine Parent's sons, Cpl Jenks, USMC 1/6 Battalion were taken in Marjah, last year.  My son's 3/6 Battalion fought in the same Helmand province for Marjah.  Often we would see news reports of these battalions fighting alongside each other.  Tina and Doug have been such a big help from the time Forest joined back in 2009.  When our sons deployed we exchanged the latest news back and forth to each other from our sons calls, the web and national news.  Those patrols, we know so little as civilians, can be brutle.  A day in the life of a warrior consists of 6 hours on patrol, 6 hours back up on post and 6 hours to sleep.  Many times that sleep is interupted.

In August I demoed at work with glazing layers of fluid acrylics over light molding paste.  I used a canvas that I had and had a canvas I had stretched a while back that I was saving for just the right time.  I am merging two photos on my peice.  This is a small peice but cool photo.  More to come.