A Date To Remember

Up and coming date to remember on March 18, 2013 at the Rome Art & Community Center at 308 West Bloomfield St Rome, NY 13440 315-336-1040. Again, I will be presenting my painting series with all their stories from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.  I have invited area VFW's, American Legions, Marine Corp Leagues, Military Recruiting Offices, the Mayor of Rome, Joseph Fusco, Congressman Dan Maffai, Senator Chuck Schumer, NYS Senator John DeFrancisco  NYS Assemblyman, Bill Magnarelli.  Their stories have become my mission to teach.

"A Military Series - A Parent’s Perspective” is for the American Citizen.  As a parent, I have one foot in the Military world and the other in the civilian world in which there is a disconnect that needs to be bridged. The paintings in this series cross bridges by teaching the average American Citizen what our heroes in the Military the families that proudly stand behind them are sacrificing daily to keep us free and protected. As much as they protect us we need to discover and learn their honorable purpose in making a difference in this world."

 To all my blog, Facebook and web followers, I am cordially inviting you to come be a part of "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective. Please come, because this "Marine Momma" has a story to tell America.

Opening Night and a Very Special Event Night March 18th Coming Up

When God gives you a passion for reaching people with your story, you have to share it!   

Thursday night was just that kind of night at the Rome Art and Community Center, 308 West Bloomfield Street, Rome, NY to share my series.  The venue alone is absolutely beautiful, an old stone mansion turned into a most elegant gallery and community center.  By the looks of the gated yard, it must be beautiful in the spring.

I had some Veteran's from the Rome VFW there and it was wonderful to take him on a tour through my art and tell the stories of "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective".  Love my Military family; it continues to grow everywhere I go.  There were two Gold Star families there.  The woman in purple lost her husband in Vietnam.  At the time our country was not kind to the families of the fallen.  I have to say thank you to all my Veteran's families who have lost a loved one.  I cannot imagine the loss of a hero so dear to them.  

Now on to the next event within this exhibition.  The Rome Art and Community Center has extended a special night March 18th in which they will be open for a special presentation from 6-8pm of "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective".  I have invited the North Syracuse VFW, the Marine Corp League of Syracuse and several public officials, Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Dan Maffei, NY Senator John DeFransico, NY Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli and Rome's Mayor Joseph Fusco.

 The show will be up until the 5th of April.  Rome Art and Community Center has hours M-Th 10-5 and Fr 10-2.  Winter hours are closed on the weekends.  If you can come to the event on March 18th, you will get the presentation from me with their stories.  It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get through all the paintings and I promise there will be times that you may tear up (that's ok because I do too).  There is a reality in what you see and hear.  Each painting has deep meaning with a variety of topics and I chose many mediums such as Oil, Pastel, Acrylics Drawing Mediums and Mixed Media.  

2013 Exhibition at the Rome Art and Community Center

It strikes a cord of awareness that few American's understand.  Perhaps it is time to take a look.  "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" is as much about our sons as it is the families who stand behind them.  They deployed and we did too.  Their journey became our journey as we witnessed all they experienced.  I read dusty letters that were written in sandstorms telling me what life was like.  Some were written for others with instructions: do not send until I come home (two different types of homecomings in that meaning).  Forest handed his most sensitive documents (power of attorney, birth certificates, credit cards, drivers licence, social security) to a complete stranger, Joel McCann, a proud Dad of Lcpl Rob McCann and Lobsterman as he left the continental US to Afghanistan, (Joel is a part of my 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment family and close friend - send more lobsters Joel, the last ones were delicious!).  Please know my Marines, current Armed Forces, Syracuse Marine Parents, 3/6 Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, and my Veteran's are my family, too.  That is what happens to you when your son becomes a part of the Military.

New Life Church 2011 presentation of "And We Prayed"

Bridadier General Lori Reynolds,
2nd Marine Division's Reunion

Please do everything you can to come as I work to get this series around our nation. 
  

Art Opening at the Rome Art & Community Center for Series

Two days to go until "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" debuts at the Rome Art and Community Center at 308 W Bloomfield St  Rome, NY 13440.  What a lovely venue at this stone mansion to tell the stories of my Veterans, and their families.  The opening is 2/21 starting at 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  About 6:15 I will begin presenting their stories.  Please, if you can come, I would love to see you there with me.  The Rome Art & Community center will host the event from 2/21 to 4/5 and they are open during the weekdays.  The show is all set.  Looks like the weather will be cooperating with us.    Can't wait to see you there!

Upcoming, New Events for the Year

Upcoming events!  I have had a small showing of my paintings on display since December with the CNY Associated Artist's Gallery in the Shoppingtown Mall in DeWitt, NY.  It was located in the display window downstairs near the library.  Many people saw the artwork and commented on the portraits.  Many thanks to Peter Sabova for having me show my work in one of his locations in the mall.  It was Good exposure.

So now on to a true Art show which is different than what I have done than any other venue!  Until now, I have been showing my work in very public expos, ball games, reunions and homecomings.  On Tuesday I have to move paintings for its new venue at the Rome Community Center, opening 2/21 from 6-7:30 pm where I will be presenting my series "A Military Experience - A Parent's Perspective" with their community and its veterans.  I will be renting a minivan to bring it over.  Could use a little help.  Anyone available 9-11:00 am? Inviting all that would like to come to the opening.  Pretty place!  Along with telling their stories, I will be selling giclee prints and notecards to help move the series to its April venue with "Hope For The Heroes Gala Affair in Washington, DC.

On the home front, Forest and Rachel are now happily married as of December 15th.  They are currently  down in Jacksonville, NC, just off base.  Forest is resigning for the next four years, so a lot happening in this young Marine's life.

More to come.    

Veterans Expo, CNY Womans December Issue and a Marine's Wedding Day

Well its about time I catch everyone up on the events that have taken place since the Veterans Day Parade.  It has been a very busy time.  I was able to appear on a segment on "Bridge Street" (a local talk show here in Central New York about the expo with our Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli.  The Veteran's Day Parade and Expo was thrilling to show the paintings to so many veterans and their families.

It was also very exciting to be interviewed for an article in the Central NY Women's Magazine.  Their focus for the December issue was on Women in the Military.  Very good articles on the women of Central New York that are an active part of defending our country or helping our military through their service.

Check out the link http://issuu.com/scotsmanonline/docs/twcny_dec12/1.  The interview and article is toward the back http://todayscnywoman.com/2012/12/03/painting-heroes/.
Though that is very satisfying I am still trying to cross those bridges of the American Citizen and our military.  So my focus is going to be on getting these paintings out to teach the Average American Citizen just what a modern day warrior experiences.  The paintings are not about me, the artist.  "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" was created to tell their stories, so I will be calling and approaching area schools.

Another exciting event took place in December.  My son Lcpl Forest Blair married Rachel Hort in Ravenna, Ohio.  Most handsome in those dress blues Forest said "I Do" to his most lovely Rachel with full military honors.  They walked under the arch of crossed swords.

I am one blessed Marine Momma!  I have watched this hero walk through so much with the Marines over the last few years.  This was the most beautiful event I have ever witnessed.  Rachel is an incredible woman, as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  Welcome to the Marine Corps Rachel!  This is a most amazing family and you will live in a very extraordinary way while Forest serves his country.

Hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.  So much to share and do.  I will be updating on all the events coming up this year.

Upcoming Events with the Veteran's Parade and Expo, Bridge Street, New painting start and Go Vote!

Upcoming events for this week.  I will be on Bridgestreet, local Channel 9 WSYR at 10:00 am

This Saturday is the Veteran's Parade and Expo event at the New York State Fairgrounds and "A Military Series - A Parent's Perspective" will be there.  So Come on out Central New York.  This is the day to honor your heroes and hear their stories.  It is my goal to tell their stories to the teach the average American Citizen who have little idea what our military is experiecing and selflessly sacrificing.  They are our heroes who keep us safe and defend our freedom.



This is the underpainting called, "Guardians of Freedom" for the 3/6 Battalion's painting. 

Calligraphied into its flag will bear a quote from Andrew Jackson's Farewell Address in 1837. I fell in love with these words, written so long ago: "...Providence has showered on this favored land blessings without number, and has chosen you, as the guardians of freedom, to preserve it for the benefit of the human race. May he who holds in his hands the destinies of nations make you worthy of the favors he has bestowed, and enable you, with pure hearts, and pure hands, and sleepless vigilance, to guard and defend to the end of time the great charge he has committed to your keeping..."

I have been scouring over just the right images for the last two years. The hand stretched canvas is 34"x 50". After those acrylic layers I will put in several different portraits of 3/6 Marines.

Much more to come on this one.

I just got back from casting my votes for this election.  Get out and vote!  I don't care who you vote for, but you need to get out and vote.  It is a right and a responsibility as a Citizen of the United States of America.  When you vote you bring honor to my military who chooses to stand in harms way right now to my veterans when you vote.  They are willing to follow the lead of our president that we elect today.  Show the world our government at its working best by voting. Our government is for the people and by the people, therefore we must act to make our country the great. Even though you may be unsure today, do your homework and choose the candidate that fits your ideals and goals for America.  Remember there is no absolute perfect candidate.  If you vote and the elected official is leaning in a direction you don't agree with, say something, write them, don't be afraid to speak your mind.  Be involved in the government process.  Just be sure to VOTE!  'nough said.

I will add on to this later today with the latest painting start of "Guardians of Freedom" for the 3/6 Battalion.

New Painting and An Update on Forest

Okay, so there has been a lot going on this last month since getting back from the Modern Day Marine Expo.  Be watching because next week will be the Veteran's Parade and Expo at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY., November 10th.  On the 8th I will be on channel 9's local "Bridgestreet" at 10:00 am with Senator John DeFrancisco to talk about Saturday's event with the start of the parade at 9:30 am and the Expo event immediately following.  All of my paintings will be there.  Come out for a nice time and celebrate our Veterans!  

First of all, I'll update you all on Forest.  Where in the world has he and his battalion been this last month?  They have been training in the desert around Yuma, Arizona.  Now somehow this Marine Momma can handle hearing about the sand fleas and even camel spiders (about 6 inches in length) in Afghanistan.  But when I heard the Sargent drove his 7 ton onto their FOB (Forward Operating Base), he ran over 4 rattlesnakes, jumped out and shot 3 more.  He then proceeded to bark out, "You're all packin' yeur cots!  No one's diggin' in!"  When I heard that I internally fer-eeked!  Oh boy, the life of a Marine, thought about him all month.

 So little is known by the average American Citizen as to what our sons are doing on a day to day basis.  To see a child smile and be a child in a war torn country is a good thing.  There lives are marked by such difficult memories that we will never know.  So when I saw this photograph taken by Chris Leonard, I could see the story to be told.  Within this shot Micheal Parris and another Marine are entertaining Afghan children with a camera.  He had just taken a shot of the children near Nawa.  Part of the job our Marines have, is to stabilize the area and build relationships.  For this moment, Michael is having as much fun with them as he would with his own son.  I am sure that is what runs through his mind.  These kids have so little, yet the smiles and interest on their faces you see here, crosses language barriers and makes differences in this world.  Differences I pray is permantly embeded in their hearts and minds.

The square canvas has a recessed center.  I will be posting more as I go.