Uniform Differences

It's been interesting to note the differing responses from Marines and Army Infantry, when they encounter my military drawings for the first time. Their reactions are consistent, and by now predictable: 

Uncommon Valor

Marines are fascinated by the intricacies of the Uncommon Valor picture. They immediately start picking out individual images that they can relate to: Tun Tavern. Dan Daly. The Root. This is a picture that was, quite literally, made for them.

They want to know how they can own one. When they learn that half of the purchase price goes to the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment, they want to buy a bigger, more expensive one. It’s an expression of their culture, of their pride in being Marines.

Army Infantry are just as proud, just as cohesive, perhaps even more exclusive in their group identity. They seem to approach the Follow Me drawing of their own Iron Mike with a measure of skepticism, wary that it was produced by an outsider, not one of their own – someone who could not possibly understand the level of sacrifice and earned camaraderie it takes to be 11-Bravo, and who might just be trying to take advantage of their traditions, for personal gain.

Follow Me

They would, of course, be correct – in all three assumptions.

Bravos tend not to buy my artwork, even when they learn that a large portion of each sale goes directly to the Army’s AW2 Warrior Transition Command. WTC functions somewhere behind the battle lines; 11-B’s face toward it.

Fortunately for me (and more important for the Wounded Warriors), sales of Follow Me are starting to pick up. Just over a year after its release, infantry soldiers still have little interest in supporting a non-military artist, but the picture is gaining ground in the marketplace nonetheless. People are buying them as gifts.

Wives, mothers, sweethearts, and sisters have embraced the Army drawing, and in so doing have created a necessary buffer between artist and infantryman. Many times I have witnessed Bravos being led reluctantly to my art display, my pictures forced into their hands by an enthusiastic loved one. At that point the soldiers are obligated to look once, but then they look again at the drawing, a little more closely this time, and their expressions begin to change. They see the historic head covers, the edged weapons, the firearms arranged in chronological order from musket to SAW.

Then it doesn't matter who made this drawing. They know it honors them.

I wonder, now that a third Air Force design has been completed and added to the series, whether Airmen will react with enthusiasm or reluctance to the latest drawing, Aiming High. 

After Valentine’s Day, we should have a pretty good idea.

 

Aiming High

Left Wing Patriot

Yes, I’ve been called Left-Wing. 

Progressive. Pacificist. A bleeding heart tree-hugger. 

That’s okay. I’m an artist. It’s expected of me. And it’s mostly true. 

After all, I was raised in a religious tradition that emphasized forgiveness, understanding, and the Golden Rule. On top of that, I was trained to be a healer, and once took a solemn Oath that said I would do my best not to harm other people.

So it is that I find myself in a most interesting position philosophically, when I am researching, creating, and marketing my recent series of military drawings. This very question came up not long ago, when a conscientious friend asked me to explain how I could, in good conscience, justify the "glorification of war" in my art. 

In response, I told him that I felt a strong desire to balance my usual peaceful tendencies with the need  to support the equally dedicated individuals who are sent out to fight on my behalf, who then return home broken and changed, and find that in return for their sacrifice, they are offered little or no safety net. As an artist and a healer, I felt I could do something to help. As a responsible citizen, I felt I had no other choice.

These fighting men and women, and the people who care for them, are the ones who appreciate my intimate pictures of warcraft. If I do my job well, they will want to share my pictures with others - to support not only my calling as an artist, but also the various Wounded Warrior organizations that receive a significant portion of the proceeds from these drawings. 

For the record, I have no beef with anyone who puts on a uniform and follows orders. In fact, I applaud them all for choosing, then earning a place along a most honorable career path, for whatever reasons or circumstances might compel them to serve. More important, I salute them for setting aside their personal rights and freedoms so that I can selfishly enjoy my own. And I do, without reservation or apology. But not without gratitude.

To create Uncommon Valor, Follow Me, and the honorary military drawings that will follow them, I have worked hard to put on the skin of Soldiers and Marines, as much as a civilian ever can, in order to offer an authentic visual experience for them. In the process I have opened doors that have been closed to me before, and have had the opportunity to enjoy meaningful conversations and positive relationships with people from across the political spectrum, many of whom I am now privileged to call my friends.

Yes, I sometimes poke fun at others with my drawings - the medical community in particular. I have earned my stripes in that world, and feel comfortable taking them on as an insider, though always in good fun. 

For the military, I choose to speak in their terms, as a matter of respect for their ethos, and their unquestionable personal sacrifice, in order to fulfill a need that is being largely ignored by our politicians and their corporate partners. As a citizen, I will continue to work politically to try and build a better, more tolerant society, for everyone's benefit. With my military drawings, I am working artistically to support the millions who were and are willing to give up their lives so that I can draw funny pictures for a living.

I see no contradiction in that. If my efforts are successful, I will profit enough to help even more of them.

One of the best experiences to come from this adventure occurred over a long dinner, in the company of a retired Marine major, decorated for wounds received in three wars. After several hours of discussion, sometimes animated, he finally said to me, "Son, you and I are definitely on opposite sides of the political fence. But it appears to me that we both have our elbows on that fence, and we're leaning toward one another."

To my mind, that's the only way We as a People are going to solve our problems, by making bold connections, and making ourselves understood through civil discourse. That discourse is only possible because of a select few who are willing to die in its defense.

I think that's worth a little glorification.

Don

Army Infantry - Follow Me

I am very pleased to announce that my newest composite drawing, Follow Me, will be unveiled on Memorial Day at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus Georgia.

Based on the iconic "Iron Mike" statue that stands at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the National Infantry Museum, this latest composite image honors the United States Army Infantry. It is composed of over 180 objects detailing the history of the Infantry soldier, focusing primarily on firearms and personal items used by fighting men from 1775 to the present, with emphasis on the Seven Army Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

As we did with the 2010 Marine Corps drawing, Uncommon Valor, half of the proceeds from print sales of Follow Me will be donated to support our Wounded Warriors. Reproductions of the drawing will be available after Memorial Day in limited and open editions.

Follow Me

Introducing the latest Work in Progress: Follow Me, a new composite drawing honoring the United States Army Infantry. This one is for the Ground-Pounders. The Doggies. The Short-Sword-wielding soldiers who close with the enemy over the Last Hundred Yards, and achieve Victory on the field of battle the old-fashioned way: Up Close and Personal.

The drawing is based on the "Iron Mike" statue created by sculptor/designer PFC Manfred Bass, and his assistant, PFC Karl H. Van Krog. The original sculpture stands at Fort Benning, Georgia, with a full-scale replica outside the base at the National Infantry Museum. I will attempt to include as much Infantry history as I can in this drawing, focusing mainly on the shoulder weapons of our soldiers from 1775 to the present, with emphasis on the Seven Army Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

Follow my progress in the Photos section the DS Art Facebook fan page.