A Veteran's Day Remembrance

November Eleventh is the day we get to remember our veterans this year, and this day is a particularly solemn one for our family. We remember Justin Paton, who was my son Ben's best friend in the Army. They met at Ft. Hood, TX. where they were roommates just after Basic Training. They deployed to Iraq together, and always went out on patrols together. Justin was killed while protecting Ben from sniper fire in Tarmiyah, Iraq.

I carved this plaque as a remembrance for Ben and his platoon to give to Justin's parents, Don & Shelley Paton. As I prayed about what to carve, I had a strong sense that I was to do the pond with the ducks at the bottom, although I did not understand their significance at first, or how they tied in with the eagle. As I was finishing painting (the final step before varnishing) I got the revelation that the eagle represented Justin himself. I felt the Lord explaining in my heart: "Some - like Justin - are called to soar high up above the tree tops - watching and carrying out the burden of protecting - while the ducks on the pond (representing most of us Americans) are safe to live out our lives." It is only because of these "called" ones that we "ducks" know freedom at all. As I explained this picture to Don and Shelley, it seemed to mean a lot to Shelley, who had not been able the look at pictures of Justin yet. "This, I can look at." she said. And added, "Still, I'd rather he was just a duck."

I want to say THANK YOU to ALL our men and women who have served in the United States Military. And a Special Thank you to James Timmons and Merritt Allinger and all the men of the 1st CAV's Bravo & Delta Companies, and the Michigan 129th Airwing, who all came to Ben's White Platoon's rescue during the ambush at Tarmiyah two days after Justin died. And Thank You to the Balad Air Base medical staff who took care of Ben and White Platoon as they recovered (all but one) from the VBIED blast that day. And I am thankful to the God who heals hearts and minds of men (and women!)... and mothers and fathers, ... and Nations.

Wood Carving

For the past few years I have been doing wood carving for the Log Home / Log Furniture industry. Here is a relief carving from a 12"x 14"x 2" slab of wood. This is the first of my carvings that I have done just for myself. I wanted to see what would happen if I could carve with the detail I love, and not be watching the clock like on a commercial piece. This was a lot of fun, and I am pretty pleased with it. You can't really see it from a strait on view, but the branches are freed from the background in several areas, creating a lot of depth to the relief. I flooded in some subtle color with thin washes of acrylic paint, and then many coats of varnish - both after lots of sanding! And I mean Lots! Sanding is the most time consuming (and patience building) step in a wood carving.

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

I love combining lettering into illustrations. I also love to be inspired by the Word of God or just by the Holy Spirit about current issues to illustrate. I think this piece covers both kinds of inspiration.

This latest watercolor was begun as a sketch from an art class that I taught at House of Hope Academy. The girls and I were drawing animals that day, so I chose this lion and began sketching. After class, I thought it had the potential of become the focus of a piece to honor Israel. After a few adjustments to the color palate, and working out the lettering issues, I hope I've succeded in blessing God with an encouragement for all who would, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Something like this is growing particularly important with the recent headlines we read and the times we live in. The scripture comes from Genesis 12: 3 where God says of Israel: "I will bless them that bless you, and curse them that curse you. And in you, all the nations of the world will be blessed." So.., keep your eyes on Israel, and pray hard!!

My Beautiful Mother!

I always tease my mom that this is my Geritol commercial piece. Doesn't it just look like something they would like to use? This is from her wedding when she married Jim, who is such a great addition to our family. I get my talent from both my dad and mom, but Mom was the one who pursued her artistic passions (interior design and folk painting) and who has always encouraged me to do the same.

My Young Patriot

My youngest son, Ben is in desert somewhere in Iraq right now. It is his second tour, and my way of coping is to be obsessed with all things Ben. I write poems and stories and do art work about him. My installation for this week is a graphite drawing from a photo which my son Cory took.

A Boy and a Dog

Side-note: Wow! It was a wild night with crazy winds here. The boat launch in front the cottage I live in has been washed up on shore and turned sideways in my front yard. The neighbor's now-broken dock is laying in their front yard on top of a two-foot pile of ice chunks from the lake. I think March is going "OUT like a lion". That's backwards!

This is an illustration of my son, Robin, who collects dogs wherever he goes...and pop! Watercolor, again, captures the casual comfort of familiar textures: strokeable dog fur, a soft cotton t-shirt, old worn tennis shoes, and that lovable-scruffy head of hair. Robin is 26 now, and so I get a bit nostalgic as I see this image. He is my middle son who has Down's syndrome. There are many stories in me about my boy, Robin! He is a character the world needs to meet! Hopefully, they (my stories) will find a publisher soon.

Robin loves romantic stories, always gravitating toward Snow White and other "princess" stories at the bookstore and video store (which all seem to have Heroes doing lots of saving and kissing!) I try to deflect his train of thought by telling him, "How about finding a nice story about a Boy and a Dog? It has become a "Thing!" Aunt Jill is more direct. She says, "Robin! Twenty-six-year-old boys just don't watch 'princess' movies!" He says, "Oh! ........ Never Mind then!"

Our Patriot Sons

A Tribute to the 2-8 Cav. 1st Cavalry Division, Ironhorse Brigade

by Jennifer Oakley

My son dreamed of being a hero:
shiny medals pinned on his chest.
How bravely he’d stand as the “Law of the Land,”
capture “bad guys”, and make our town safe for the rest.

He read great-big books (when he was just eight)
about wars, and the price that was paid:
learning battles defended, how peace was extended,
that freedom was worth every sacrifice made.

And so, my boy planned for his future,
To walk where the Brave Ones had gone.
He heard family stories of hardships and glories.
His Patriot’s heart grew devoted and strong.

At eleven, he joined Naval Sea Cadets,
learning discipline, honor, and more:
routine parade drills, navigational skills
‘board the Gray Wolf - off Michigan’s shore.

Then my Sailor became a “Land Lubber”,
thinking tanks and big guns more his style.
So he studied and grew, and became the boy who
could cite every past Infantry’s trial.

And while History’s victories and it’s defeats
were his major high-school obsession,
a bright shining career ended his Senior year
with sports honors now in his possession.

From the Line of Defense - in the lights at Rhodes Field,
to the Front-Lines just north of Baghdad,
he trained hard for a year and then faced every fear,
proudly giving the Army the best that he had.

As he lived through his first year of battle,
he was blessed with the closest of friends.
"Band of Brothers" they were, with a loyalty sure
as their skills to protect and defend.


Times came when, dazed, tired, and wounded,
Brothers battled ‘til victory came!
Side by side, Brutal Days! ... losing friends in the fray.
They birthed peace - bought in Freedom’s good name.

You see, winning the battle wasn’t their only task.
They were there to win hearts and minds,
so the folks of Iraq could stand up and take back
their homes, their country, their kind!

Our men taught by example, they held evil at bay,
til the people saw hope was at hand.
Trust grew as their men stood in courage again
to reclaim and rebuild their own land.

Since that day when my son first shipped off to war,
Band of Brothers stands several men less.
These won’t be forgotten! May we think of them often,
as peace now returns to streets once filled with stress.

And to mothers of sons who came home before mine,
Striped and Starred with our Nation’s regret:
We resolve that our days will be lived out in ways
that bring hope, and give life, and might honor our debt.

Because, here in this country, the peace that we’ve had
and the freedoms we own don’t come cheap!
May we never take lightly the gift of these Brave Ones!
As they return home, may our Thanks run Deep!

If your son dreams of being a hero,
changing Evil’s course his obligation,
know he walks in the plan God designed for a man.
And be proud! May his strong heart inspire this Nation!

Fishtown

This is where I grew up in Northern Michigan.
Smelt Dipping here is a big event for the local people once the tourist season winds down in the Fall. I have great memories from my teenage years of the annual Smelt Fry at Carlson Fisheries that would go late into the night. Right there on the docks we would wait for the smelt to run, with flashlights and fish nets in hand. Finally, swarms (really huge schools) of small silver fish would arrive and attempt to make it up the dam. We would haul them in by the bucket loads. Carlson's fishermen would be frying 'em up fast in their special batter, and it was all you could eat for as long as you lasted, all for free. At least I think it was free. I was kid. It was free for me, anyway!

Waiting

OK, I have to get used to how this things loads in a backward progression. It is messing up my organizational plan a bit.

This is a charcoal drawing from life, which is my favorite way to draw.
You don't have to picture the whole person to tell their story.

The Late Paul Newman

This was a pretty quick study in watercolor. I have been trying to "loosen up" with this medium, and so I was going for a more "splashy" look, and purposefully trying to work fast.
I like how it turned out. I need to remember this formulabut do it without sacrificing accuracy - which is vital to gaining the likeness a portrait requires.

Mini Gallery

This looks like a good place to get some of my art work into the page. This is a watercolor I did of my older brother (now 50 something) from an old black & white photo. It was fun. I love to capture textures in paint, and
to paint people. Watercolor is interesting because it seems hard to control at first, which to me is the best challenge. It is a matter of drawing with careful accuracy first, and then having fun with the dynamics of the paint from there. It is all about crisp edges vs soft blends, and knowing where to use each for best effect.
You might be able to tell from this that I am an Art Teacher at heart!

Good Morning!

The fact that I couldn't find a picture of myself alone to post on this page (had to crop a kid out) is a good clue to the way my life is pretty wrapped up with my ever-growing-family, counting five kids and six grand-kids! But, now that I am all finished with school, and my family is in a different season now (kids all grown and out of the house) it seems like a good time to jump in and Go for It!

My big dream is to Write and Illustrate children's books. I have started writing some. It was in writing my Master's thesis, and the great feedback from my Review Board when I went to defend it, that I got me inspired to believe I might really be able to do this.I just love stories, and the power that they have to bring out the best in us. And I have been given an artistic talent by God (He plays a big part in my life and my hope for this career) which I desperately want to put to use in a way that will make Him proud.