American Bob Cat

This North American Bobcat Picture is a watercolor painting done on Canvas.  It has been donated to the Gold Star Family get together That will take place in Hell, Michigan.  It is Call the Hell and back party.  Tammy Prentler who's son Died in Afghanistan in 2010 described the event as," The patriot guard riders & military families United put on an event for the families of the fallen down in Hell, Michigan. Last year was my first event and it was fun. There is a gentleman who dresses up as the devil & his family gets involved dressing up as well. At the end of the day the "devil" & our preacher arm wrestle to see who prevails that day."  I am happy to donate this painting for this cause.

Jeffrey Standfest and Ruppert

This is a watercolor painting on canvas of a young hero named Jeff Standfest .  He  and his dog died in Afghanistan in 2010. The dog, Ruppert P 390  died a month before Jeff. Ruppert saved Jeff's life at that time.  Jeff was working with another dog when he was also killed by and IED.  RIP Jeff.

David Warsen, Navy Seal

This is a watercolor painting of a young man who died in Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago in a helicopter crash. His name is David Warsen.  His funeral was yesterday.  I had decided to paint this picture for his parents a a momentum of my appreciation for their ultimate sacrifice.  I brought it to the funeral and left it with one of the ushers.  I hope they received it.  What a nice looking young man who gave his life so that we can live the way we do.  I hope my random act if kindness makes a difference.

Sgt. Michael Keith Ingram Jr.

This is Sgt. Michael Keith Ingram Jr. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. I had painted a picture if Mike for ART Prize but had given it to his father as he was the only person I was in touch with at the time of the contest. During the last weeks of the competition I was befriended on Face Book by his mother who was divorced from his father. She was also having a very rough time in her life with the loss of her son. Shortly after that she lost both her sister and nephew who were shot on there porch at home. I can not imagine the grief this woman has touched.

I decided to paint this picture of her son and give it to her with my sympathies. Again, this is a 16" by 20" watercolor pencil painting on canvas.

Spc Shane Hasan Ahmed, Art Prize 2011

This is Spc Shane Hasan Ahmed. Shane was married and had a stepson and stepdaughter. I was unable to contact them to tell them about Art Prize. His parents were also very reluctant to talk with me. Shane was said to be a well liked student by both teachers and fellow students. He was conscientious, brilliant, respectful and quite. He was in the same company as Pfc Shane Michael Reifert and was killed 8 days after him. Shane was able to communicate with the Afghanistan people and also was able to teach some of his fellow soldiers the language. Shane was killed in Afghanistan on11/14/2010 at the age of 31. His portrait can be see from Sept21 through Oct 9 at Spectrum Health, Butterworth Campus in the Atrium.

This is the last of the Series. Art Prize is 4 days away. My anxiety is high and although I hope a lot of people are educated by my entry I also hope that emotionally it does not totally whip me out. I have asked for volunteers to help me with the process. I have prepared everything that I can to be ready for the process. I plan to get some good sleep. God help me to do the best I can I put it in his hands now.

Pfc. Shane Michael Reifert, Art Prize 2011

This is Pfc. Shane Michael Reifert. Shane was a young man who wanted to be a soldier all his life. Even as a child he was involved with civil war reenactments. He was a hero to his two young cousins. He modeled integrity, courage, and bravery long before the war.

Shane's sister and mother are also blogging their experience of losing a brother and a son. It is well written and well worth the Read. The address is http://myfallensoldier.blogspot.com.

The watercolor pencil painting can be seen during Art Prize 2011 at the Spectrum Health, Butterworth Campus in the Atrium. Art Prize is held in Grand Rapids, Michigan from Sept. 21 through Oct.9

Hours

Opening Day 6PM-10PM

Monday-Thursday 5PM-8PM

Friday & Saturday 12PM-10PM

Sunday 12PM-6PM

Shane died in Afghanistan on 11/6/2010 at the age of 23.

Sgt. Anthony Dennis Matteoni, Art Prize 2011

This Sgt. Anthony Dennis Matteoni. Anthony was a special young man who found out that he and his wife were going to have a baby the day he was deployed. He found out that the child would be a girl two days before he was killed. The picture to the right is the one I drew for Avery for fathers day. She has a great mom and a hero for a dad. Anthony was from Union City, Michigan. He died on 10/1/2010 in Afghanistan at the age of 22. I painted a watercolor pencil on canvas picture which can be seen during Art Prize 2011 at Spectrum Hospital Butterworth Campus in the Atrium.

Spc. DeAngelo Barnell Snow, Art Prize 2011

This is Spc. DeAngelo Barnell Snow. DeAngelo was an exceptional young man who was an artist with drawing, airbrushing, and tattooing. He was also an exceptional dancer. DeAngelo had seven brother and 7 sisters between the families of his mother and father.

Deangelo's father Barnell and 9-year-old Devin were killed in a robbery that had gone bad approximately one year before DeAngelo lost his life. DeAngelo came from Saginaw Michigan. He was killed in Afghanistan on 9/17/2010 at the age of 22. The watercolor pencil painting on canvas portrait can be see from Sept. 21 Through Oct. 9 during Art Prize 2011. The painting will be displayed at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus, Atrium.

Please feel free to make comments so I know you are out there. Also feel free to join the blog as fan's.

SPC Bradley David Rappuhn, Art Prize 2011

This is SPC Bradley David Rappuhn. He was an anti-armor specialist in a Ranger Regiment. Bradley was was due home in July but his tour was extended 45 days. This was his first deployment. He had been injured earlier ( Memorial Day) and still had a piece of shrapnel in his that could not be removed. His mother described him as easy going. He liked fishing, BMX biking, motor cycles, bowling and his dog Bill. His mother said she never new exactly were her son was in Afghanistan because he was with a highly secretive unit of Specialists. Bradley's portrait can be seen during Art Prize 2011, from Sept 21 through Oct. 9. It can be viewed at the Spectrum Health, Butterworth Campus Atrium. Bradley was from Grand Ledge, Michigan. He died on 8/8/2010 at the age of 24.

Cpl Paul James Miller, Art Prize 2011

This is Cpl Paul James Miller. For reasons that I don't know about this is one of my favorite pictures. Paul looks so young and innocent that it is hard to believe he was on his 3rd combat deployment. He was married to his high School sweetheart after he graduated and they planned to start a family after he returned home from Afghanistan. His favorite sport was fishing with his father who was devastated by the loss of his son. Paul was from Traverse City Michigan. His portrait can be see at Spectrum Health Butterworth campus Atrium During Art Prize 2011. This is a photo of the original watercolor pencil painting on canvas. Paul was killed on 7/19/10 at the age of 22.

Feel Free to give feedback on my work I appreciate the input.

Elaine

Art Prize: Sgt.Lucas Tyler Beachnaw

As Art Prize is getting closer I decided to revisit the pictures that will be presented in my venue. The venue is Spectrum Health, Butterworth, Atrium.

This is a picture of Sgt.Lucas Tyler Beachnaw. He was from Lowell, Michigan. He was know as the guy who liked to make others laugh. Lucas was shot three times before he died. He refused medical treatment his first two gun shots, choosing instead to stay and fight with his brothers. Courageousness seems to be a highlight in most of the young men that gave their lives for their country. He was the first to die from Michigan. He was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He was 23 years old at the time of his death. R.I.P.

Pfc Shane Michael Reifert, Au-sable light house

This is a picture of the Au-sable light house. I painted it for my brother. He never asks for much so when he does I like to try to give him what he wants. He has two other light houses on his living room wall and this one should fit well.

If you have time please read the blog: Myfallensoldier.blogspot.com It is a wonderful tribute to

Pfc Shane Michael Reifert

Thank you.

This is a 12X 16 watercolor pencil on canvas picture of Dillon Black Foxx and his son Kaiden. I was hoping to give it to Kaiden by fathers day but I can't get a hold of his relatives. I will continue to try so that Kaiden has a picture of him and his father and hero.

Legacy Trust Contest. Results

What did I do after the Legacy prize contest? Of course I went fishing. It is difficult to wait for the results of the contest but finally they were announced. I am one of the winners again in the Contest. I am the only returning artist from last year. It feels good. I even painted a picture for one of the other people on the fishing trip, which felt good. Now on to all the hype of the Art Prize.

Legacy Trust Contest.

Well this is what Legacy Trust Set up ended up looking like. I think I did well. I am exhausted. I should know be Tues if I go farther.

Spc Shane Hasan Ahmed

Spc Shane Hasan Ahmed

From: Chesterfield, Michigan
Age: 31
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
Died: November 14, 2010

From: Chesterfield, Michigan
Age: 31
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
Died: November 14, 2010

Well these are all the young men who died from Michigan in 2011, in Afghanistan and Iraq. My stress is way high and I am doing my best to stay focused. I do not know why this is so hard this time but it is.

Cpl. Paul James Miller

Cpl. Paul James Miller

From: Traverse City, Michigan
Age: 22
Unit: 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force
Died: July 19, 2010

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province, Afghanistan
Died following an roadside bomb attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on July 19, 2010

Legacy prize dates are: May 19 and 20 at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater. I almost missed the dead line for entry which was today. A friend of mine told me to call and make sure the information was in. When I did I found out that it was not in and probable lost in the mail as the VSA had recently moved. Although I was in an investment class all day I did get to the new office and filled in the papers. I must be distracted as I did the same thing with the Mary Freebed show. I did win a Guild Purchase Award. It gave me enough money to get the frames for this project. Still working on a wing and a prayer.

Sgt Michael Keith Ingram Jr.

Sgt Michael Keith Ingram Jr.

From: Monroe, Michigan
Age: 23
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Died: April 17, 2010

Fatal incident occurred in Kandahar, Afghanistan
Died of wounds suffered when a roadside bomb detonated near his dismounted patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Michael was known for his smile. His step-mom thought he would be a good model with a smile like this. I agree.

Sqt Dillon Black Foxx

From: Traverse City, Michigan
Age: 22
Unit: Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division
Died: February 5, 2010

Sqt Dillon Black Foxx

Fatal incident occurred in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a roadside bomb in Bala Murghab, Badghis province, Afghanistan, on February 5, 2010 I am learning a lot about each one of these men and sometimes the sadness is overwhelming.

1st Lt Joel Christopher Gentz

From: Grass Lake, Michigan
Age: 25
Unit: 58th Rescue Squadron, 563rd Rescue Group, 23rd Wing
Died: June 9, 2010

1^st Lt Joel Christopher Gentz

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province , Afghanistan
One of four airmen killed when their HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter was shot down near Forward Operating Base Jackson in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 9, 2010

Joel was a pretty incredible man. He went through some of the hardest training in the service to get to were he was at. he also was arranging for the children of the area to get gifts from the soldiers. He was known more as a peace maker not a fighter. His helicopter went down and he was killed. In developing the story for the book to be shown at the showing of the pictures I have come to have a large appreciation for whom this man was.