Thank You To All and New Updates

Saturday was a great day to be a Veteran and a pleasure to say thank you in a very special way by presenting "A Military Experience - A Parents Perspective".   The Marine Corps 236th Birthday is Thursday November 10th, (I carry Forest's 3/6 235th Marine Corp Birthday Ball coin in my pocket.) and Friday is Veteran's day. 

To my Marines:  OoRah and Semper Fi.  I think I will have to stop by the recruiting office on my way into work tomorrow morning.  I just have to hug a marine.  I am praying Forest can fit in a skype call tomorrow too.  Thank you so much for what you do.  You are making a difference in this world.  It is a better place because of you.   

To my Veterans:  Giving back, just means so much to me.  I see your commitment, joys, pains, honor, sorrows, courage, and your perseverance in the midst of unbelievable odds.  It is a privilege to honor you through my artwork.  The freedom I live in is through your sacrifice.  God Bless You and Your Families.

I found this link today to the Marine Corp Birthday and it speaks so much of our Veterans and why they do what they do.  at http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DI79UW6-NAAU%26feature%3Dshare&h=iAQECCQtMAQF32hZcKKGMe4qOqx8EcNW3RPzpx_uvsPeqYw.  I cried when I saw this because I have an understanding by working on this series of what they go through and this is why.  Thank you to the Commandant of the Marine Corps for this message. 

Now it is time for the latest update on "A Lobsterman And His Son" update.  Just getting past the underpainting. 

Portland Head Lighthouse is one of the most famous along the coast of Maine along with my favorite dinner that Joel catches.  Back in 1976, I stepped onto an ocean tour boat around Bar Harbor Maine that journeyed on fairly smooth water.  It is hard to imagine what it would be like in the rough waters in front of Portland Head Light.  I remember asking him what that was like to trap lobsters out on the ocean.  Joel told me, "There is a rhythm as you and the boat "dance on the surf" that you learn to get used to.  Hmmm!  Never thought of it as a dance.  I would like to try that and look over at the wreck of the Annie C. Maguire laying just under those waters and contemplate what is happening with his son Rob and my Forest, all those miles away in Afghanistan  Some heroes are in the form of a dad here in the U.S. (he would do anything to help his son).  Some heroes (Rob and Forest) are in a foreign land protecting not only his dad, but all of us).  Neither of them see themselves as heroes, but they are to each other.  More to go. 

And last night I found out I will be receiving some of those crustaceans Joel traps for dinner on Thursday (and I have the butter just for it!).  Can I tell you, being a parent of a Marine, has its perks?  

This one is just a start and wont look like much for a while called "Remember".

  It is an acrylic piece where I am using photos of the things we hold most dear between us.  The things we have with us to remember each other constantly can sit on the inside of a helmet with a fiance' tucked inside, perhaps jewelry worn everyday while they are gone that occasionally gets grasped during the day or maybe there is a little one, some yet to be held for the first time by their daddy who is fighting for our freedoms.    I am using special acrylic mediums to produce transfers and block prints.  More to come!   

The links are thanks to YouTube for the Commandant of the Marine Corps birthday message and Wickepedia for the little tidbits of information.