Art Prize 2011, Casualties

Well I am down at Butterworth Hospital with Art Prize. The big vote is done so now I can just have fun. People have told me more than once this display tears your heart out. I want the people to look at these young men and get to know them. I refer them to this sight to get more information on the men. I challenge them to look into their eyes and know them better. To make the sacrifices that they made is outstanding and the deserve our respect for their gallant efforts.

Art Prize 2011, Casualties

The last day that the vote counts for me. Traffic for Art Prize 2011 has been very, very low at Butterworth Hospital. These water color paintings on canvas will be seen by probable less than 1% of the crowd. RIP

Art Prize News

No Pictures today. Art Prize is very slow. I have tried everything I know to try to get traffic with no success. I feel like I am letting the Boys down. They deserve so much more attention than they are getting. You are all welcome to try anything to get the traffic to come down to Spectrum Hospital Butterworth Campus in the Atrium. I will try to be there every day except This Wed. Hours are from:

Hours
Opening Day 6PM-10PM Monday-Thursday 5PM-8PM Friday & Saturday 12PM-10PM Sunday 12PM-6PM The hospital is open more but these are my hours.

Spc. Joseph Dennis Johnson, Art Prize

This is Spc. Joseph Dennis Johnson. This is the picture I did for his mother. It was to small for Art Prize so I just gave it to her earlier this year.

Art Prize is again a big disappointment for me. My venue is dead with only few people from art prize coming through. The people who do come through are very positive about the work but probable won't vote in Art Prize. I don't even feel I will make the top 25 in the Hill side district. It is not about winning it is about doing a lot of work and it still does not get seen. I feel I let down all the family's that lost their loved ones. I can only go with the current yet I feel like I only swim against the current.

Zack and Willa

Here is my two favorite kids, the grand kids. This is a watercolor pencil painting on canvas of them. They bring me so much joy that it floods my heart every time their names enter my mind. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I hope you enjoy the picture but it is more for me than anything. Thanks for stopping by.

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.