The Freedom Eagle revisited 4-15-2011

I would like to thank everyone that has visited the wall and remembered what our troops have fought so hard for....Freedom.

Last week I had a visitor at the studio that was from MI. He had been in a van accident and was staying in Hamilton while his vehicle was being repaired. He is a Vietnam Vet and is traveling around with his bucket list of sorts. He was a fascinating man with a wealth of information. His stay was extended due to the repairs and he took in all he could in our town. His attitude was inspiring. Not angry of his accident, nor being stuck in a unfamiliar surrounding. I could only hope my attitude would have been the same. He seen the Indian mounds, Jerry Browns Studio, a gunsmith (don't recall his name), Organic Vessels Studio, and the murals in Guin. He left a cd of his photos on his way out of town. The following ......courtesy of Chuck Hanners.

I wish safe travels to me new friend Chuck. Thank you so much for sharing.

Since the Murals completion, I have received numerous photos of individual in front of the mural. Several of those photos have themselves positioned in front with their arms spread out like the eagle. Each touches my heart so much. The wall is for everyone and I am so honored to have been able to design it.

September 30, 2009- The Finish line

Today was a beautiful day to finish the project of the Freedom Eagle. I am so proud of the mural and what it represents. The light breeze with fall weather made the day very productive. A song bird visited me for most the day and It was the most peaceful day. The project started June 29, 2009, and this was the first day I was able to tone out the traffic noise of log trucks and trains to remain focused. I am so thank-full for my Parents for encouraging me that The Freedom Eagle is complete. One of the most difficult things to do is to decide when a piece is at it's end. I have so many ideas that could be added to the piece but they are not needed. It is depicting what I intended and I am pleased with the result. I feel Our Veterans and fine folks of Guin would agree.

Two streams of light depict our recovery from the 9-11 attacks. The faint landscape illustrating the rough terrain of Afghanistan can be seen above the group of troops praying. I choose to over lap the two because the wars are concurrent and ongoing. The image of prayer is powerful to me and I felt lead to use this image to pay tribute to our brave men and women serving today. I hope everyone that sees the tribute feel lead to pray for our Country. Pray for our leaders. Pray for our Soldiers to return home safely. Pray for the families that have lost their loved ones fighting for our Country and helping others.

Totals for the project: 42 days 236.5 hours.

A sincere thank you to all involved. I appreciate the opportunity to work in my home town and feel honored to have met so many wonderful Veterans and family of Veterans during the project.

The plans for the next mural are in the works. Keep checking the blog for updates.

9-10-09

Over-all progress.
Tomorrow our country will be remembering the attack of eight years ago. 9/11 will never be forgotten. It is only appropriate to paint my tribute to those we lost on that day ....on that date. The monument in NYC is two beams of lights symbolizing the Twin Towers. I will be painting Two Towers of Pageant Blue color. This will be simple but very symbolic. Many have shared their views of including or excluding this on the mural. This is a piece of public art and opinions will always be varied. I know how I feel about 9/11. Many friends have loved ones serving due to that day. Maybe not directly due to the attack, because of the emotion it evoked to sign up and serve our country. We are now in two wars, War in Afghanistan and War in Iraq. Weather you agree with the wars or not.....we still are in them. We have to stand together and support our Troops!

The revision of the Memorial to the SS. Arizona. After studying my design , This is a better tribute then illustrating the actual event of the attack. It shows how Americans overcome adversity and remain strong. I will be adding more detail of the ship shadowed beneath the monument.

Completed Gulf War tribute. I appreciate the input of Mr. Duke and Roger Gann.

8-24-09

Today is beautiful, and I'm preparing for a productive day. While in the shop I'm printing some reference photos and getting mentally prepared for what the day may hold. Yesterday I attempted to portray a tank in the Gulf War tribute and was dissatisfied with the composition. I have revamped my vision to portraying members of the 877Th National Guard to be in the foreground with c-130's fling behind them. I have completed the planes and the burning oil wells Saturday. Yesterday I added shadow to Our flag and started the outlining or the World Trade center.

I want to take a moment and thank the Veterans that have shared stories of their service with me. I have always heard that a picture has a thousand words.....I feel this one has so many more.

Thank you to Ottis for sharing his thoughts on the time line. All the wars shown are ones for LIBERTY. Not of ones over land. Battles for Freedom. We all need to be reminded of how fortunate we are to live in these United States. -----Together we stand!

More photos are coming soon.

8-17-2009

This morning I was able to get the Pearl harbor Tribute roughed in. This was inspired from a photo that was recovered from a Brownie camera after the attack. It was found in a foot locker. The shot depicts smoke and flames billowing from a refueling ship. I would like to add a battleship. I also plan to darken the water a bit. The brick below reads " December 7, 1941" May we never forget!

The flag was raised last week and color added. I'm very pleased with the change. The flag now is tucked and protected by the Eagles right wing.

Completed Vietnam Tribute- I struggled with the boots. I was unable to locate a photo for reference, so I found my self visualizing what a leather boot would look like. I pictured soldiers marching in mud and brush. I took in account how sweat would break and discolor the leather. How soldiers laced and pulled tight for support was also running Through my mind. And one more consideration on the boots was....keeping the details so that it is aesthetically pleasing from 10' away.

I really love this shot. The yellow flowers in the foreground are beautiful. God Bless our Troops!

I apologize for the lapse of time between entries. I have completed the Vietnam Tribute and have been busy researching photos for inspiration on the upcoming Tributes. I have found this to be extremely frustrating and emotional. The following link is one that described some of the reasons why I'm experiencing problems. Military Censorship of Photographs. In this essay he discusses the Gulf War being difficult to cover. http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/writings/military.html This is a progression shot of the Vietnam Tribute. I have since finished and now tring to find the photo of the finished Tribute.

Close up of the soldier with the machine gun. The brick wall had a hole on his face and I did my best to have it fall in line with his eye.

After looking at the blog a realized I did not show the photos of the WW1 Tribute completed.

8-9-09 Update on progress

Getting smarter at my old age....I set up a tent to get out of the sun. I guess I was testing my endurance. I can work longer and more comfortable now. It also keeps the brick from heating up.

While studying the Korean War I was able to refresh my earlier history lessons. The united States joined our Allies with the united Nations to protect Korean Citizens from North Korean Communism. The monument in Washington portrays 19 soldiers. Their reflections are in granite before them that total 38. This symbolizes the 38 parallel. The border being fought for. In learning this, I desired to include some sort of symbolism with in the tribute. Not sure on how I continues with my sketch of the three men wearing the rain ponchos. I studied my lay out and discovered the first soldier lies under the third feather and there is a crack in the wall under the eighth feather. The 38 parallel was provided by God. I would also like to note that the journalist that where held in North Korea where released on the day I completed the tribute. They were arrested of trespassing on the 38 parallel.

Tribute to WW1- Trench warfare was used during this period. It was also the first time for Mustard and poisonous gases. Using grey and sepia tones , heavy shading shows folds and movement in their uniforms.