Salute - Steve Campbell and Colonel William "Wild Bill" Campbell

Salute - Steve Campbell

20 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

This Salute portrait has particular significance in many ways.  The subject, Steve Campbell is a veteran and currently works as a pilot for commercial airlines.  He is a friend of my brother, Mike Bennett, who is also a veteran and commercial pilot.  I met Steve at Mike's retirement ceremony.  I was excited to meet a veteran at the retirement ceremony and then I found out Steve is the son of a Tuskeegee Airman!  How exciting!  His father was Colonel William "Wild Bill" Campbell.  You can see a short video tribute to his father here.  He was an amazing man and our county owes him great respect for all he did for us.  

This is my first post of 2016 and I am very excited to begin the year with a  tribute to two heroes that served our country.  

If anyone is not familiar with the Tuskeegee Airmen you can see a short clip here.

Salute - Tuskegee Airman

Salute - Tuskegee Airman

20 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

$1200.00

This painting continues my "Salute" series.  I honor veterans of our services...these men and women dedicated their lives to assure our country's freedom.  Assurance that they are not forgotten is paramount.  I often walk around the World War II Memorial in Washington DC and meet many members of the Honor Flights.  Honor Flights bring veterans to see the World War II memorial at no expense to the vets.  The flight is donated and volunteers make sure the veterans, many of whom are in wheel chairs, get around.  When I talk to the veterans you can see the pride in their eyes.  When I ask them to salute I can see the young man emerging from the old.  Their back straightens, their head tilts up and that twinkle of a youthful service member shines in their eyes.  They are transported to the feeling that they are invincible...they are once again the superman/woman that defended our freedom.  They made a difference in our lives.  

You can read more about the Tuskegee Airman here.   These Airmen were an amazing group of primarily African American service members who were trained as pilots, navigators, maintenance staff, instructors and any support that kept the aircraft flying.  A group that was not recognized until recently.  Thankfully, now, they are being recognized for their enormous contribution to our freedom.  

Salute - VFW

Salute - VFW

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$1200.00

I am back to my "Salute" series.  There is so much I like about painting these veterans.  I love the pride they have in their country.  I love the pride they have that they served.  They made a difference.  I found this veteran at the commissioning of the USS John Warner.  He was sitting in a seat near me.  I watched as he greeted friends and fellow veterans.  He proudly wore his VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) hat.  Sometimes I am a little shy about asking for a salute...I have only been turned down once...but most of the time I overcome my inhibitions and just ask.  This gentleman was very happy to oblige.  I still have quite a few in my "Salute" folder...but if you know of anyone who is willing to participate..please let me know.  

Salute - World War II Veteran - Honor Flight

Salute - World War II Honor Flight Veteran

16 x 20

Oil On Panel

$1200

I am continuing my "Salute" Series.  I started with World War II veterans on honor flights.  I would meet them at the World War II Memorial and ask for a salute.  Witnessing the pride they feel as they salute makes me feel so good about the series.  These are men and woman that truly preserved our freedom.  Finding male veterans is pretty easy...but actually finding female veterans from World War II is a challenge  

This Veteran was at the World War II memorial on a hot summer day.  She was proud to salute and I was proud to add her to my series...as I said...finding female subjects is not an easy task.   She was also so impressed with the World War II memorial. 

Since I have enjoyed this series so much I have expanded it to include any veteran...the series is meant to honor the vets.  

Woman World War II Veteran - Honor Flight

World War II Veteran - Honor Flight

12 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

$650

I am continuing my series of Honor Flight Veterans visiting the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC.  We are free because of these brave men and women.  Women WWII vets are hard to find.  As Honor Flights visit I look for women to include in my series.  I saw this woman in her group of Honor Flight vets and sought her out for a salute.  She was so surprised!  She is 94 years old and was thrilled to be included in the series.  I am thrilled to have her included...and I thank her and all the vets for their service.

Happy Fourth of July!  As we celebrate our independence I hope everyone will take a moment to honor the all veterans.

Honor Flight Salute - World War II Veteran

Honor Flight Salute - World War II

14 x 11

Oil on canvas panel

$650

Continuing my "Salute" series I am featuring a World War II veteran.  When I asked him to pose for me with a salute he got this stern look on his face like he really meant business.  He was in a wheel chair with an American flag attached to the back of his chair.  I am sure there will be a larger painting of this guy with his flag.  I think both compositions are perfect for this series.  

This project started in my mind featuring only World War II veterans.  Then, as I visited the World War II memorial and saw the vets from other wars...from other times I realized that the feeling I wanted to convey and the pride for their country and what they had accomplished was timeless.  So I have broadened my "Salute" Series and I welcome veterans...old and young...I ask them to salute and I am amazed by the way their demeanor brightens.  

So I continue...

Thank you for your Service - Honor Flight at the World War II memorial

"Thank You For Your Service"

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar panel

$1200.00

I have been working on this painting...this concept for about 9 months now.  I have changed so many things about it.  First I had the World War II vet very gray and actually blending into the gray background.  I liked the look...but it didn't say what I wanted it to say.  It gave more importance to the younger service member.  The painting is about the World War II vet....about his story.  It is about thanking him and all the veterans for their service.          

The  concept was conceived when I visited the World War II memorial and saw the World War II vets brought in and taken care of by the Honor Flight program.  Honor Flight is a program that flies these veterans in to Washington DC and takes them to the see the World War II memorial.  It is a great program.  While at the memorial they are given ceremonies to celebrate their service and they are entertained by wonderful swing dancers who not only dance for them but also dance with them.  It is a very moving sight to see the vets remembering their hey-day!  Good times!  I walk by the monument as often as I can to see the joy and to remember the sacrifice.  

I am not totally pleased with this piece but have decided it is done and I have to move on.  I will choose another setting from the World War II memorial and paint another tribute.  The next one will be better.  Maybe none of my paintings will be good enough to express my appreciation for their service...their sacrifice...but I will keep trying.