Night Mission Briefing

I just finished this painting this morning. I decided to take the advice of a friend who wanted to see a painting of one of my boys in uniform. I had always been intrigued with this image, with all of the anticipation of the mission: vehicles running, taillights glowing, and exhaust in the headlights. I love the challenge of painting textures, and capturing the mood of the moment. Granted, this is a heavy moment, and it was a bit disconcerting to be painting that knife that my son wears so confidently on his chest, knowing there must be stories that go with it that I probably don't want to hear. But that is the reality of life for our men in uniform. They are equipped and they are well trained - and none is more level headed and blessed with a deep and quiet honor than my youngest son, Ben. He is gunner on a Bradley fighting vehicle, and has served two tours in Iraq now. I'm so proud to know there are men like him, and Sandoval and his other "brothers in arms" keeping watch over our country. They are so young - and yet are trusted with so much. And rightly so!