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.

The Sky is the Limit

The Sky is the Limit

6 x 6

Oil on Raymar Panel

$350

This is part of my military series.  I love seeing children play...and when grown ups join them it is even better.  This little princess is playing with her mom building a tower to the sky out of building blocks.  Mom is still in her flight suit from work...not a trendy jumpsuit from an exclusive store...a flight suit from her job as an Air Force pilot.  

And now a bit about photos of artwork...

I don't think I am a lazy person...quite the opposite in face.  I keep busy and have dedicated myself to painting every day.  It is my job and I treat it as such.  I get up in the morning, workout (most mornings), have breakfast and then head to the studio.  I paint most of the day either at a studio outside my home or painting small pieces at home.  The rest of my time is spent researching, reading, practicing with color, discussing art with colleagues etc.  I do keep busy.  Where I fall painfully short is when it comes times to take pictures of my work.  I too often opt for the cell phone picture and post it.  Today I took my lazy cell phone picture and decided to take a picture with my Canon Rebel also.  I set up proper lighting and took a picture...the result is painfully obvious. In the cell phone picture the colors are off...though a monitor can skew color it is still good to try for the best possible color rendering.  The photo is not as crisp...it is just not as good as taking the time to set up a proper photo shoot.  So...with this lesson in mind...I shall take pictures with my Canon and be thankful I have a nice camera to produce better results.  One caveat...my cell phone is not new and maybe the newer ones take better pictures...but for now I will use my camera. 

Taken with my cell phone

Taken with my Canon Rebel 

Stay Safe, My Sweet Son

Stay Safe, My Sweet Son

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

It has been said that I wear my heart on my brush and that was very true today.  I waxed nostalgic and started thinking about my children when they were younger.  It started when I read multiple FaceBook posts about the trials and tribulations of young ones returning to school.  It made me think about taking my boys to school...making sure they found their rooms and were safe and secure.  

I still worry...I still want my children to be safe and secure...