A Challenge to Give Hope 4 The Warriors

Come on America, Donate to Hope for the Warriors - a very worthy cause to help our Veteran's and their families that are facing great challenges.  I set out to meet the "Challenge to the Core" doing 250 sit ups for each day of the month of August and to raise $500.00.  At registration H4W had a jersey.  Really awesome but I did not want to just purchase it, I wanted to earn it by loosing inches off the abdomen area by August 20th.  Just wanted you to know, today I have earned that jersey with a measurable difference, but I still need your help with the donations!  Please  click into my own Hope for the Warriors donation web page http://rpx.me/1/HJrp and donate $1.00, $5 $10 or $20.  Read on for what I will do to add to the challenge.

The Marines have a saying that their titles are never given, they are earned.  When I registered there was a jersey that I really wanted.  I wrote to my team leader and told him I couldn't buy the jersey, I had to earn it.  I set a goal to loose a measurable difference by day 20.  I have done a lot of fashion designing in my life, so measurements are not a problem for me to see.  They are a fact and better to measure than to weigh, because burning fat in this case, I also produced muscle.  You know muscle weighs more than fat.  On day one my measurements were 8/1 bust 36, high waist 34 1/2, Waist 36, high hip 39, hip 41.  8/6 Bust 36, High waist, 33, waist 35, high hip 38 5/8, hip 41.  8/16 bust 35 3/4, high waist 32 3/4, waist 34 1/2 high hip 37 1/2, hip 40 1/4.  Today (reckoning day) Bust 35 1/4, high waist 32, waist 34 1/4, high hip 36 3/4, hip 40.  The goal was to loose inches and never expected within 20 days of 250 sit ups a day, watching what I ate and keeping track of my fluid intake would produce loosing so many inches overall.  What was loss is gain for me. I will wear that jersey while I demonstrate my painting of "Our Kids Meet Their Kids" at the New York State Fair.  

After meeting the goal I have a challenge for all my friends and readers!  Because the dollars have not come in like I was hoping, I am going to post on my Facebook pages and my website www.artisticimpressionsbyblair.com and click into my blog, another Challenge for H4W For every dollar up to my $500.00 goal earned, I will add another day of sit ups (500).  In other words, I am willing to make this a life change and I want others to know they can too and help make a difference in the life of a warrior by your generous donations.  

Perhaps you too will want to take up a life changing challenge too.  My warriors have laid down so much for me, it time to honor them with my sacrifice.  See you at the fair! 

Love my warriors! 

The Painting Series is on the Move Again With a Challenge!

What a wonderful month July has been.  Cpl Forest Blair, USMC is training at Pensacola, FL for his new MOS, (Military Occupational Service) in Avionics.  Rachel is visiting her family in Ohio.  It's great to be a Marine Momma and see your kids enjoying life.  My older son Michael is growing all kinds of summer you pick fruits at Abbott's and Meg is working in her financial field.

 I had the pleasure of teaching 10 students in the High Peaks area 2 weeks ago.   Just as I got back from my fifth annual Adirondack Adventure plein air painting (on location), I received a request from the Fine Arts Coordinator at the New York State Fair to demonstrate one of my paintings.



I am in the final stages of "Our Kids Meet Their Kids" and will be demonstrating on this painting on August 29th, Veterans Day at the NY State Fair in the Women's Building 3rd Floor Fine Arts from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm..  I will have a few of my paintings with me to present and at one point in the day, I will be able to sell some of the poster project prints to help the series move its message around the country.



As a personal challenge I have entered in with the Hope for the Warriors "Challenge for the Core" in the 31 days of August where I will do 250 sit ups a day and raise money to help their efforts in taking care of our Warriors that have suffered injury in battle and some that are dealing with PTSD issues.  If you click into the link here you should be able to get to my webpage with Hope for the Warriors and donate directly to help them in my name.  I am trying to raise $3,000.00 to help their efforts.  This is the group I presented to at their Gala affair in April down in DC.  Please consider a generous donation.  You can read more about what they do on the website you click into http://rpx.me/1/HJrp.

Update on painting called "Our Kids Meet Their Kids" and a start on a dog handler - Danny"

Color block in oil

Second photo

Lots of painting during this month.
This one has taken some time to figure out the title.  So many times my paintings teach me more as I work on them.  I asked God to give me the abilities and I would tell their stories.  I think He gives me the stories as I go too.  Cpl Chris Leonard sent me this photograph for a painting.  The long hours of patrols in Afghanistan are tempered when these Marines took a break one day.  Reaching across to these kids; our kids were making a difference in their lives.  If they could just know the kindness of a stranger and see their highest hope was to bring a little bit of joy into their young and very different worlds, then maybe, just maybe, their world could be different.  Afghan children out in the remote areas of the Helmand district have very little.  A digital camera is kewl.

 I do not know the name of the Marines sharing this moment, but I can surmise the one holding the camera is probably a dad.  He connects with them like they were his kids.  So the title is quite naturally called, "Our Kids Meet Their Kids".  There is much detail to work on with this oil painting and more to come.  

It took a while to get an image up on the computer for the dog handler.  His name is Danny and his Grandpa works with me.  If he is any thing like Pat, he is a kind and patient man.  To be dog handler takes a special kind of patience.  All the training is not hinging on the Marine, it is in the balance of Marine and the dogs ability to work together as a team.  This will be an Acrylic where I will use metals and strong colors that illuminate from behind them.  For now you will see the drawing that I have frozen in clear gesso so the pencil does not mix with the paint.  I am using a palette knife for the most part rather than a brush to give it a layered, textured look.  There will be more to come on this one too.

 

I have been thinking a lot about Kyle and your journey as a gold star parent. The purpose of thewe paintings is to bring about an awareness of what our guys go through and what it is like for a parent standing behind them. The war is ending in Afghanistan for us. Our guys are coming home, and want America to know what has happened. What they did and how important it is to understand their sacrifices and those who sacrificed all. I would like the painting of Kyle to 
show how he would have liked us all to carry on..

Memorial Tribute for my Warriors and a New Start on a Dog Handler Painting

Memorial Day Weekend.  What does it mean to you?  As a civilian it was a weekend off and a day of parades (couldn't wait to see the bagpipers) and traveling around with my parents to lay flowers on grave sites.  But in 2008 my son said yes to the Delayed Entry Program for the Marines and life changed with Memorial Day bringing on a new meaning.  I had one question to Forest as he told me his life plan.  It had not been a total surprise as Forest had been looking at Engineering schools and the Marines since he turned 13 years old.  My question, "Why do you want to become a Marine?"  Immediate answer, "Because I want to make a difference in this world and make it a better place and when I am done, I want to go to school, debt free."  My response, "Good answer."  We have to stand behind our children's dreams.  I have seen parents refuse and stand in the way of their dreams.  I have seen the results.  Opting to be proud of their decision and help guide them is the best a parent does in letting go.  Forest signed, earned the title of a "United States Marine and I joined with the parents in earning the title "Marine Momma".

Made into a painting called "Grief" commemorating the Burial  Service of  Lcpl Gabe Rainy

Lcpl Gabe Rainy in the wheat fields of Afghanistan

Corporal Forest Blair, USMC has never ceased to amaze me.  I am truly a blessed Marine Momma, not only to my son but to the men and women I have met through these years who have moved me and inspired me by their valor and commitment to each other and the Citizens of the United States.  Now I pay attention to the faces of those who gave so much as they remember those battles that shaped them.  Their eyes tell me stories without a word whether they are standing in a crowd or a color bearer in full dress uniform.  All I can do is to take in this weekend and find the things I can do to honor them and the families that stand behind them.  The parades, I cheer every Veteran that marches by.  I go to the ceremonies that lay garlands by memorials.  I contacted my Gold Star parents and remembered their sons.  I have watched on television Gary Sinise give honor and respect to all Veterans.  Last night I stood in the crowd as the Watchfire lights and respectfully retires flags that myself and so many wrote on in remembrance of those who did not make it home.  We will never forget.

Lcpl Gabe Rainy, USMC KIA June 2010

Cpl Kyle, USMC KIA, Afghanistan 2011

My Gold Star Parents hold a special significance in my short Military life.  Penny Riley remains close in my heart and I contact her often.  Through her a breast cancer survivor after Gabe was KIA, I have learned adversities of life make you stronger.  She may not feel it but her strength has truly been born of fire for as much as she has lost her son, she has walked with dignity and grace as she has met every challenge.  My more local Gold Star parents are Rick and Lorie Schneider who lost their son Cpl Kyle Schneider, USMC KIA in July of 2011.  He will be one of my paintings coming up, my only portrait in the series that will honor his life.  His parents determined to never forget his stating, "Momma, Its my turn to make a difference".  "Its My Turn" became a by line to the Corporal Kyle Foundation, helping  people in tha many ways that Kyle would have helped.

 It has been an emotional journey for them and the Syracuse Marine Parents group that has watched Rick and Lorie walk through their journey of turning grief into their son's by line, "Its My Turn".  In the last few days the Baldwinsville Post Office has gained a new Name.  It is now called by its new name The Cpl Kyle Schneider Post Office of Baldwinsville NY.  At the dedication there were several Political representatives and Postal employees, along with the Baker High School's chorus.  The director of that Chorus has inspired many a high school student to compose their own music and they premiered "Its My Turn" in Kyles honor, (my son Forest was in his choir during his high school years).

There will be more to come about my next painting.  For now, I am off to my parents for some burgers and one more parade!

So, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you my son, my Veteran's, my Military Family.  You are remembered this Memorial Weekend in every way, I give you honor.

Love,
Sharon A. Blair, Proud Marine Momma of Cpl Forest Blair, USMC and Artist

 

"An Evening at the Gala"

Finally back on the blog after two weeks of moving and not being able to get on my computer, I am back.  Sorry this took so long.  The website is going to be updated and work the way it should in the next few weeks.  Hang in there for that please!


First off, here is the news about Hope for the Warriors Gala Affair at the Andrew Melon Auditorium April 17th.  What an awesome experience to be on Constitution Ave with so many heroes.  We were all there to celebrate and tell their stories.

My paintings were at the entry ways for all the Gala Affair's guests.  I was able to take so many through the paintings and tell the stories behind the paintings.  One of my first guests to take through my paintings was Gary Sinise and his lovely daughter.  Just in case you wondered I personally have met three actors in my life.  The first was Timmy with his co-actor Lassie (which is the reason I have moved- to have a collie that I would like to train for Clear Path for Veterans with PTSD).  Robert Dinero, while I did not meet face to face I did take care of his guest room where I was a head housekeeper at The Point. For Gary, I was most impressed at how humble and truly gracious he was.  And his daughter was so sweet.

Many others were there and I was so humbled to be counted among such a wonderful group who shared the thought to pay it forward and make a difference for those who sacrificed so much for our country.
 

Hope for the Warriors Gala Affair

Hope for the Warriors Gala Affair in Washington DC is next on the travel board.  I will send in more as I go along.  Hoping for the best.  I will be donating some prints for the Gala and telling their stories.  I know that will help Hope for the Warriors.  They are helping our Wounded Warriors get their lives back.  Hoping to see some people in DC at the Smithsonian's Traveling Exhibition Service to get out to America what their heroes are doing.  I will add more to this post tonight.