From the time that I completed the above painting of Chris O'Neil he has been re-deployed and flown several missions in Afghanistan. Here he is viewing his portrait for the first time.
Here I am talking about the Portraits of American Veterans Project. I was so encouraged by the number of people who attended the event on a cold and damp Sunday in November. Thanks everyone for being there.
One of the oldest Veterans in the Portrait of American Veterans Project is WWII Veteran De Yip G. Louie seated with his daughter Frances Mai Ling.
Allen Jakes is viewing his completed portrait for the first time. Allen is a Vietnam Veteran whose service involved managing a clinic and caring for the wounded. His caring spirit can be seen in the gesture of holding his memory album from Vietnam.
This is Wendy Manning standing next to the portrait of her daughter Capt. Dana Mayer. Dana could not attend the reception, she just returned from her third deployment. She is a transport nurse whose recent tour of duty was in Afghanistan.
Bill Crist is viewing his portrait for the first time. He is a combat veteran who served in Vietnam.
The panoramic photos were taken by Chris O'Neil, one of the Veterans that I painted. Thanks Chris, you are a gentleman and a hero. All of the profiles posted by the paintings are by Frances Mai Ling, who also provided the beautiful piano music and vocals for the reception.I wanted to share some of the photos that my husband Keith took at the November 21 Artist Talk and Studio Tour. There are quite a few shots so I will post a slide show soon so you can get a sense of the scope of the exhibit and the number of lives that it has touched. I am very honored that I have been able to meet and get to know all of these fine people in the portraits. Through this project I have found a spiritual healing that we all have shared. I am eternally grateful for the gifts that I have received through my art and the many individuals that have supported me on my journey to create a visual record of the Americans that I truly honor and respect for their service to our country. Thank you.
PEACE THROUGH ART
