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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

#4 and #5 "Veterans Day"- Sheryl Hawkins



Veterans Day has always been a meaningful day in our house. Our sons grew up with two veterans in their family- grandfather (USMC Korea) and dad (USMC Vietnam) and both grew up to be veterans themselves (USAF Afghanistan and Iraq) .
When I was in junior high, many of us had P.O.W. bracelets to honor the many Prisoners of War during the Vietnam years. I do not remember how long we wore them, but I do remember when we got to see many of them getting off the planes in 1973-finally home. For the time I wore the bracelet, I only knew the name of this hero. When the former prisoners returned home, I had a face to match to the name. LCDR Edward Davis was a navy pilot who flew 57 missions before being captured and held for 7 1/2 years. A hero.
When I came across this bracelet in a drawer recently, I wanted to use it in a watercolor. I ended up painting it twice because I wasn't sure the first attempt (from above, kind of difficult perspective) was what I wanted. When I went with the straight on view, I was happier with the painting. I have been working on painting reflections and metal lately, so this was a good learning project for me.

5 comments:

Teri said...

Beautifully done Sheryl, you have captured so much meaning in this. My husband is a Marine so it means a lot to me to see this wonderful painting.

Mermaid's Palette said...

Thank you, Teri! It was fun to paint something that meant a lot to me, also.
Sheryl

Elva Paulson said...

I like the one on top better too .... and I appreciate the story that goes with it .... very appropriate for Veteran's Day.

Mermaid's Palette said...

Thank you, Elva- it made me sad writing it and thinking about the P.O.W.s but it was good to remember.
Sheryl

Kelly said...

...these are just beautiful, Sheryl. The first one really sings. I love that angle. I like the second one also, but the angle on the first captures my attention. Wonderful painting for Veteran's Day.