SPC Bradley D. Rappuhn Poker Run

This watercolor painting was donated to the Bradley Rappuhn  Poker Run.  This is a fund raiser done in memory of Bradley.

This is a very worthy cause  and I am glade to to donate my work for it.  Join them if you can.

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.

Avery Matteoni

Sgt Anthony Dennis Matteoni knew his wife was pregnant just prior to his deployment. Two days before his death he found out it was a girl. This is a picture I did for his wife and Avery for fathers day2011.

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.

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.

Spc. DeAngelo Barnell Snow

From: Saginaw, Michigan
Age: 22
Unit: Company D, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
Died: September 17, 2010

Spc. DeAngelo Barnell Snow

Fatal incident occurred in Kandahar province, Afghanistan Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on September 17, 2010 DeAngelo was an interesting young man who came up to manhood with many tragedies. He joined the army to better himself and get out of the old neighborhood. It makes me feel very sad to know the only way he made it out was through death. competition I am working on my stress levels and am looking forward to painting a few flowers in the near future. I am working on a small book with the pictures and stories of these men to display with there pictures. I do not know were the Legacy prize people will be this year as the Civic Theater is only doing outdoor displays this year. We will have to see.

Spc Joseph Dennis Johnson

From: Flint, Michigan
Age: 24
Unit: 161st Engineer Support Company, 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade
Died: June 16, 2010

Spc Joseph Dennis Johnson

Fatal incident occurred in Kunduz, Afghanistan
One of two soldiers killed when insurgents attacked their unit with a roadside bomb at North Kunduz, Afghanistan, on June 16, 2010.

I am finding that I am drained and feeling pressure over these pictures. It is sinking in my soul. I think about theses men and their families and feel the loss of them in the universe. The young men who had children are especially on my mind.

There is now a whole in the universe and in the hearts of those that loved them.

senior airman James Arthur Hansen

From: Athens, Michigan Age: 25 Unit: 46th Operations Support Squadron, 46th Operations Group, 46th Test Wing Died: September 15, 2010 senior airman James Arthur Hansen

Fatal incident occurred in Balad, Iraq Died of wounds suffered during a controlled detonation at Joint Base Balad in Balad, Iraq, on September 15, 2010 I continue to work hard to finish the paintings for the Legacy Contest. There will be 17 in all when I am done. I put in the application for the Contest today. Art prize is now open to artist registration. Everything feels rushed and uncomfortable. I will try to just focus on what my original goal is and that is to honor these young men for the sacrifice they made for both you and me.

Cpl. Jeffrey R. Standfest

From: St. Clair, Michigan Age: 23 Unit: Company A, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force Died: June 16, 2010 Cpl. Jeffrey R. Standfest

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province , Afghanistan Died of wounds sustained when a roadside bomb detonated during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 16, 2010 well I finally got permission for all the young men to paint their pictures. I am finding that I now watch the military channel and follow the war more closely. I am being sensitize through knowledge. I came out in the top ten in the Art Clash contest. Not bad for an outsider.

Spc Bradley David Rappuhn.

From: Lowell, Michigan Age: 23 Unit: 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Died: January 13, 2010 Sgt. Lucas Tyler Beachnaw

Fatal incident occurred in Darya Ya, Afghanistan Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire in Darya Ya, Afghanistan, on January 13, 2010 This was the first MICHIGAN Soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2010. RIP

Sgt Anthony Dennis Matteoni

This is Sgt Anthony Dennis Matteoni.

From: Union City, Michigan Age: 22 Unit: 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died: October 1, 2010 His wife gave birth to their child recently. Her name is Avery.

Fatal incident occurred in Helmand province , Afghanistan Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on October 1, 2010

Art Prize 2011 Casualties, CPL Jacob Henry Turbett

Here is the second picture for Art Prize 2011. It is very difficult getting in touch with next of kin. I hope I can do it. The people who I have contacted are very enthusiastic about it. Feed back Welcome!

From: Canton, Michigan Age: 21 Unit: 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Died: February 13, 2010 Cpl Jacob Henry Turbett

Fatal incident occurred in Marjah, Afghanistan Died while supporting combat operations in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, on February 13, 2010

Spc Bradley David Rappuhn.

I am thinking about doing a tribute to the young men who lost there lives in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2010. It will be entered first in the Legacy Trust Completion and then if I win that into Art Prize. After this is done I will donate the pictures back to the family's. They will probable be 9 by 12 inch watercolor pencil on canvas pictures. I am trying to get in touch with the family's from Michigan who lost loved ones. There will be 14 in all. I would appreciate any feedback that you have for me on this.

This is the first picture in the series. This young mans name is: Spc Bradley David Rappuhn.

From: Grand Ledge, Michigan Age: 24 Unit: Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment Died: August 8, 2010 Spc Bradley David Rappuhn

Fatal incident occurred in Zhari district, Afghanistan One of two soldiers killed when a roadside bomb detonated while their unit was attacking a heavily defended bunker system in the Zhari district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on August 8,

Here is a little cu-tie from the John Ball Park zoo. I think it is a lemur. If I am going to do zoo pictures this will be one of them. By the way if you are in Wayland Mi. this week stop in at the Brew in down town Wayland and vote for my picture. I would appreciate it. I have also been thinking about doing pictures of the soldiers that died in Iraq and Afghanistan last year but I am not sure about getting permission. Any other Ideas for Art Prize.

Daane Deboer

Daane Deboer was a 24 year old Marine who recently lost his live in Afghanistan. His father is my brothers boyhood friend. I painted this picture for the family in his memory. My heart goes out to his family and his friends.