Update on "Young Warriors"

Here is the latest update on "Young Warriors".  The push is on to complete this series.  5 paintings in the works.  

Once I get the details and expressions into this painting it will show exactly why "Young Warriors" is such an important painting to me.  What I want you to see is their passion for life, their hands are dirty, they are worn and weary, but determined and surprisingly happy (in the midst of all that strife).  They are survivors.  On this day, they were in and out of canals, facing fire fights and IED's; they are brothers; their youthful smiles alone will disarm you and yet they are battle hardened!  These are  the youngest Warriors to go into battle since the Vietnam war.  Twenty of them bore that distinction in his battalion last year, bearing ages starting 18 to 21.  Doesn't that just amaze you?   

Until last week I had not worked on this oil pastel for some time.  I got some motivation from a certain Staff Sergeant Izzel Sanchez.  He is participating in a very special program at Syracuse University that teaches photo journalism to our troops.  We met at the Veteran's Expo and Izzel asked if he could do an interview. 

On a very typical Tuesday, Izzel and his camera man followed me to a Syracuse Marine Parents meeting at the VFW in Mattydale where he wound up being quite the guest of honor by cutting the Marine Birthday cake.  After our meeting they came over to my studio to finish the interview.  He asked if he could film a piece that working on with marines.  I picked young warriors.  At this point, I am 2/3's of the way into the finished piece.  I am using oil pastels with oil bars and oil pencils on BFK Reeves Paper. 

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. 

Presenting my full Military Series at the Veteran's Expo and spot on Bridge Street

I sent this invite via email to all I could, but just Hello everyone: 

On Thursday I will be on Bridge Street http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=2990305 talking about my artwork called, "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" at the Veteran's Expo and Parade on the NY State Fairgrounds November 5th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Center of Progress building. I think this link is ok to use.  If not I will take it off tomorrow morning.  There is free parking and a parade that starts 12:00 pm at the Colosseum and ends at the Expo. This is a very large community event that is family friendly. You will find me in with the Syracuse Marine Parents and Military Courtesy Room. There will be blank cards with envelopes that people can decorate and fill out going into our military care packages for the troops this holiday season as just some of the activities that will be there. As many of you have seen, I have several paintings in all kinds of media's, each with their own stories that I have been writing in my blog at http://www.marineparentsharetheirstory.blogspot.com./ The purpose of my paintings and drawings is not about me so much as an artist, it is more importantly about our brave military and the families that stand behind them. There is emotion in what I portray, because I want people to experience what it is like to have a family member serving in all parts of our world. They have fought so hard, concurred and protected each other and civilians that have only begun to realize the price freedom costs and its benefits. Our son's have come into the military desiring to make a difference in this world and they have done that. Their faces reflect their bravery, integrity and heroism. They are due the honor for what they selflessly give to preserve and protect the freedoms we hold so dear. Perhaps you have never thought of going to a Veteran's day event. Keep this in mind, 1% of our population serves in harms way right now somewhere in our world. If you haven't gone to a Veterans event, come along my friends; there are heroes that abound here. Let's celebrate and enjoy some of my artwork. By the way my son, Lcpl Forest Blair will be returning home sometime after the holidays. My Christmas tree will be going up uncharacteristically early and stay up until way after New Year's, decked out in what else, Red White and Blue! See you there.

Sharon A. Blair, Proud Mom of Lcpl Forest Blair, USMC and Artist

Final "Watching Over You" is going to print.

Thought you might like to the finished peice of "Watching Over You".  It will be going off to print and get framed. 

Tonight I worked on another painting that you may not have see lately called "Embassy Duty Guards" and guess where they are standing?  The Pyramids of Egypt.  And this one is a big painting.  I haven't been able to move it because it is 48x60 inches.  I need Micheal to move it for me.  Right now their faces are just color blocked.  I will be putting in the details this week.  Hoping to get it done for the show on November 5th at the Fairgrounds.  We will see how much I can fit into this week.  To bed for now.  More story tomorrow.

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.