Underpainting to "I'm Out Here; Did You Forget Me?"

Just to finally put this one on the map of my series.  Here is the underpainting of "I'm Out Here; Did You Forget Me?". 

I changed my media on this one over to oils.  I may also employ oil bars and am still planning on pastel over if I catch the paint at the right time of dryness.  I want that powder to capture the grittiness of the Afghanistan sands out there.  Sandstorm season is settling down out there about now.  Don't forget them; keep praying because I want to see these faces that I paint again at homecoming. 

Did I mention it was hot out there?  We think we have it bad here with our current heatwave of 100 degrees.  Ha!  That's nothing.  When Forest called last it was 135degrees.  Set a digital oven to 140 degrees and then stand in front of it.  Then imagine 150 pounds worth  of gear. 

I am sending along neck coolers and a letter to Forest on where I was today.  While he worked with 135 plus temps, I wimped out at 100+ degrees and went figure skating.  No sunburns, but I did get an iceburn from a skid across the ice.  He'll be getting these pic's in his care package too.  

Love my marine! 

Updates and a Ready to Frame - "And We Prayed"

During the process of my paintings each one develops more meaning to its name as I work on it.  More details on the stories come about.  "And We Prayed" is no exception.  This was their miracle week.  For a grateful parent this was my answered prayers confirmed week.

Right around the time this photo was taken I received that call from Forest at work.  "I got shot.  I'm not hurt.  Mom, God's got me, keep praying."  But there is more, another guy in his unit was shot with the bullet entering the helmet and running around the inside of the helmet and ricocheting out!  Wow!  Aren't you just left in your mind saying, "Thank you Lord for protection, for flack jackets, for helmets.  Amen and Amen!".  With this painting I will display Forest's camel pack.   I want the viewers to take a good look at it too.  When you examine the camel pack you can see where that 7.62 ml bullet holes entered and exited traveling around the ceramic sapi plating, before exiting the bottom of his Kevlar flak jacket. 

                         Here is the finished mixed media side by side pieces of "And We Prayed".

In my limited palette of colors I used Qinacridone Azo Gold, Interference Gold, Phatlo Green, Payne's Grey, Iridescent White and Silver in Acrylic paint.  Other mediums of acrylics are Miceacious Iron Oxide used in the camouflage screen to provide tooth for the PanPastel  and Molding paste put on by palette knife to give texture for the hair.  Oil bars were used and pastels were laid on top to give the gritty effect to the hands.  Metal leafing was gilded into the hair and parts of the clothing.  I collage handmade papers into the darkest shadows of clothing.

I did not take a lot of processes on the painting because part of it looked awful to me.  I had taken a mixed media drawing seminar and wanted to add some of that to my piece that did not turn out the way I wanted because I went off my palette colors.  I fixed it and it became better than expected. 

Just a touch on the series progression to the public.  On July 4th I showed 7 of my paintings in this series at the Syracuse Chiefs baseball game.  Many people saw the series and heard the stories behind them for the first time.  My prints were done by Joe Minneily Studio's and two prints sold.  The Wounded Warriors Project will receive 10% of my sales.  There is much to do concerning the series and the traveling it will do.  More on that later.

                                                                                                                                                          

"Time to Get Going!"

Forest has deployed to Afghanistan again for his second tour.  So many are praying for them. 

After stopping by The National Museum of the Marines and the Smithsonian in Washington DC on the way home, now it is time to give an update on what is happening with my paintings.  They are going to debute at the Syracuse Cheif's game with 6 of my paintings on July 4th, with fireworks to follow!  There are other plans (not written in stone yet, just in works)  in the works at Leymoyne College, Veterans day Homecoming parade for the 174th at the NY State Fairgrounds in the Center of Progress Building's Expo, working on the National Museum of the Marine Corps, and not to mention the Smithonian Museum in Washington DC have asked me not to forget them. 

 It was my job to bring Forest's car home.  Isn't she a pretty thing!

Oh my.  That just got very complicated, but very exciting.  I want so much to tell their story.  That is what I prayed for when I first started.  The peices I have done is about what our military and their families go through.  We see our sons and daughters and are very proud of them and what they do.  As parents we pray unseasingly for their safety. 

Keep watching.  I will be updating the on more paintings very soon.  I just got back from seeing him off and I am adding in taking care of his personal affects during deployment to my things to do list along with my paintings.  "Plate spinners" star performer is about to begin!  More later.  For now I am going to bed.
 

"An Update: Tribute to a Very Brave Little Hero"

Weiner Wolfe got close to every man in the 3/6 Battalion.  I received most unpleasant news that Weiner Wolfe encountered a large dog and lost the fight that ensued between them about two weeks ago.  Marjah does not have veterinarians out there; her wounds were too severe.  The guys who replaced Forest's unit took on Weiner Wolfe on their outpost  and had to make the decision to put her down.  She was a brave dog and she will be remembered by all she touched. 

The block prints were sent out to the guys upon returning from desert training out West.  Any one of you in the 3/6, if you didn't get a print and want one, let me know either here, message me or let my son Forest know and I will get one to you. 

I found this and posted it on my facebook wall. Thought I would share it here too.  Just click twice on the link    God & Dog

Rest In Peace Weiner Wolfe.  A nice tribute to a little hero who made life bearable in a very difficult place for our heroes in the 3/6. 

Later tonight I found some of the parents had posted their own tributes to Weiner Wolfe.  Here are some more pictures and one video from Jeff Gray that seems not to want to upload, so I will try later.

Weiner Wolfe always a rather dirty wet but welcomed friend

A snoozing Weiner Wolfe

What a nose!  She was a good girl

A Very Young Weiner Wolfe

By the way, does anybody know if she got a cookie the day the original photo was taken of Weiner Wolfe?

"Greif" and "Role Models" are finished.

"Grief" and Role Models" are finished.  I went to the VFW here in North Syracuse to ask if  the medals were correct.  Can't wait to start showing these paintings. 

In "Role Models" I added small details like the scarf on the marine in front tied to his waist under his uniform.  Also added a hint of color to the landscape in the background 
I will post more on these during the next few days.  For now I have a marine at home to enjoy.   Memorial weekend is for all of us to remember those who served and gave their lives for you and me.  It is also to remember those who did make it back.  I owe my greatest gratitude to our military and the families who stand behind them.  Semper Fi and Thank you.

Finishing touches on "Role Models"

Just finishing "Role Models".  This started out as a mono color painting using asphaltum oil as the base.  Afghanistan is void of rich colors, so it decided to add a limited amount of other pigments.  Hope you like this one on an Ampersand Panel (it allowed me to put in more detail)  Just thinking about what that must be like in those remote places in Afghanistan.  Forest just handed me a Tortellini MRE  try out.  It will be lunch today, so Bon Appette!  

New Painting "I'm Out Here. Did you Forget Me?"

I would like to introduce to you Lcpl Forest Daniel Blair, my son in a new painting that I am starting called, "I'm Out Here; Did You Forget Me?".  If you click on the picture to enlarge it look beyond the reflection in his glasses and into his eyes.

This is a layered painting of transparent acrylics for the eyes.  On top there is the reflection of his glasses that you know he is holding his camera, cool angles, but it is the eyes themselves, shadowed with his glasses that tell the real story.  They are contemplative, but if you read further, you can see his question, "I'm out here.  Did you forget me?" 

The answer from me is, "Not for a minute, did I forget.  Not even a second."   I am going to try clear gesso over the acrylics in parts of the face and helmet.  Over that I want to try Panpastels.  That should give a thick powdered look.  I will be experiementing with that

God gives you talents and if you can catch the gift he has given you to use that talent.
There was something I saw, deep within  their eyes. 
I could see their heart, they have such purpose.
They answered a call so profound you can hear it without a sound.
Something captured within their gaze needed to be discovered.  
Something is set in motion when I start a painting that I compels my hands to put into the visual.
I know God gave me a talent and charged me to paint windows that reach into the soul.
I will be writing more and giving more updates soon.