The young guys that graduated from high school with me were the last group drafted to go to Viet Nam. Several of my classmates and friends went to Viet Nam and never came home. You know, I still remember them so clearly.My Dad was in Viet Nam for a year also and put in for retirement immediately post that tour. He was the commander of an Air Base installation in Saigon. He died two years after he came home. My Mom said even though he had fought in World War II and Korea, Viet Nam was the end of my father.
So, this process of a country at war, the damages it creates and the aftermath -is not new to me or anyone of my generation.
The Artist Challenge is premiering our latest theme ‘The Patriot’ today. I don’t think any of us realized how difficult this theme would be. A few people tried to deviate from the issues of today and give it a positive upstroke. I certainly understand, tried to do the same but I found myself caught in 2009.
This is such a confusing day and time. We question why our young American men and women are still in the Middle East fighting this war. Of course, we’re all putting our hopes on Pres. Obama’s promise to bring them home to us soon. All we can do is wait and hope.
The long and short of it is- I just couldn’t come up with a clever or funny story for ‘The Patriot’ blog this week. Although I did attempt to approach my painting with a positive message.
My painting is simply called ’Thank You” and it’s just that. It’s a thank you to all the young men and women that leave their families, friends and homes behind to make our America a safe place for all us to live.
Just a note: In researching today’s soldier boots I expected to find traditional heavy black leather boots. Not the case in 2009. My image accurately portrays the
ir footwear. The U.S. Army has updated their boots to be more applicable and comfortable for the Middle East deserts: Their boots are lightweight natural suede with air pockets that run up the sides.Please visit The Artist Challenge and say hello to the artist. As I said, this tough one and they can all use your support. I also posted a pretty heartfelt video that was aired July 12th on CBS Sunday Morning television show. Check it out.
I promise I’ll have a fun little mystery for you next week.
Vikki
My painting is 16”x 20”, acrylic on un-stretched canvas panel. The original will be priced at $425. 12”x16” Prints can be ordered for $69. You can contact be here.
http://www.theredchairgallery.com/
http://www.theartistchallenge.com/
All images and stories in this blog are Copyright 2009 Vikki North. Unauthorized use or duplication -in any form-is absolutely restricted by Law.
18 comments:
Dear Vikki
Heartfelt is important - especially for such shattering subjects.
I love your boots ...
June in Oz
This is beautiful, Vikki. You didn't need a story to go along with the painting. The painting said it all.
Hi Aleta,
Thanks. I can pretty well create a story around most anything, but this little work just demanded to stand by itself.
Vikki
Hi June of Oz!
Thank you. I love those boots also. Our boys/girls go into those deserts with 'styling' footwear.
And thank you for leaving a comment for the artist at the Challenge.xo
Vikki
When I went in the Marines in 1962, the standard issue was the typical high top, leather boot which, when polished, was all black and shiny and stuff. And heavy. In Viet Nam we were issued 'Jungle Boots', lighter boots with uppers of a heavy green fabric and treaded soles made of neoprene. It was the first real change in footwear for the combat soldier in over 50 years. Now I see these new boots and I am impressed. The Pentagon, in their infinite wisdom, seems to have become more agile and quicker to change. Words I never thought I would say. On the other hand, it's still too bad those words have to be spoken at all.
That's an amazing and heartfelt piece, Vikki. I love it more than you know.
Hi Lou and thanks,
And yes- their boots are totally 2009 and 'styling'. A comment about the boots in one article expounded, "No more boot polishing Boys!"
Vikki
I hear you, it's hard to be upbeat and positive about a subject so trying and emotional. Realizing that many a young man or woman will not come home. The love and life their children, parents, siblings and friends will miss is a true loss.
I think your painting has a solemn respectful, yet appreciative feel to it. I see often those pictures of a pair of boots with a rifle, bayonet attached, stabbed int the ground, a lone empty helmet resting atop. I always chock up, and turn to say a prayer for my step son who is over there now on his second tour.
Well done Vikki! I did check out the other paintings, they are all very good.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for you comment. It was a really a tough subject. I don't mind if my work makes me people feel introspective but I always want it to be a postiive message. Then there's also the marketablity factor in the back of my mind- even for my theme concepts.
Vikki
Hi Vikki,
This painting brought tears to my eyes. Bless your late Daddy's heart for his military service. I'm crying now as I’m writing this because I feel very sad, thinking about the way our Vietnam soldiers had been treated by others during that period.
If it weren't for the American soldiers during WW11, the Philippines would still be under the Japanese rule to this day. I'm glad that the U.S. intervened and gave the Filipinos back their country. I'm only sorry that it claimed thousands of American lives. I can assure you that their lives weren't lost in vain. Most Filipinos and I will forever be grateful to the American soldiers. Their sacrifices had liberated my native land from the grips of the oppressive Japanese Imperial.
The American soldiers are not only risking their lives for America, they're also risking their lives for the freedoms of others around the world.
This is why I'm really angry at people who are demonstrating against the war and against the military. When anti-war demonstrators say that they are demonstrating in support of the soldiers, they're not. Their actions only embolden the enemy to fight more fiercely against our own soldiers. Demonstrating against the war and the military only demeans our soldiers and weakens their wills and spirits, while giving psychological ammunition to the enemies. Rather than allowing our soldiers to do their jobs efficiently to get the job done sooner, anti-war demonstrations and Congress' constant butting into the military's business only keep prolonging the war and our presence in the Middle East and Central Asia.
I’m so sick and tired of wars like everyone else. I wish we don’t have wars anymore. I wish 9/11 never happened that prompted us to go into rooting out all the evil people in the world. We have nephews who have been deployed in Iraq multiple times. They’ll probably be sent to Afghanistan next. Everyone in our family would like for them not to go to any war zones anymore, but we also understand that they have jobs to do. It’s necessary to finish what the U.S. had set out to accomplish there, setting up free countries for Afghanistan and Iraq, in hopes that those countries will not be homes to brutal dictators and terrorists anymore—brutal dictators and terrorists who are intent on doing harm to the United States and her allies. If we don't succeed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the lives of our fallen soldiers will have been lost in vain.
Vikki, I apologize for leaving such a very long comment. Your painting and your essay brought these suppressed emotions to the surface. I apologize if my opinions appall anyone.
Thanks, Vikki, for this beautiful painting as a tribute to our soldiers. We should never forget them and their sacrifices.
Tasha
Hi Tashabud,
No need to apologize. I appreciate your comment immensily and it's interesting to hear how as a Filipino -your view on present state of warfare.
And I agree that most people forget why we went to war in the middle east to start with. There were over 3000 innocent lives taken in 9/11. All the great powers in this world were out-raged and rallied to our support.
A great difference in this war and Viet Nam, is there has been no draft to service. All these soldiers have willing joined for the very purpose of being part of it.
It's a confusing time for everyone, thus our difficulty in doing this theme.
Vikki
Such a thought provoking post and sure brought back thoughts of VietNam war and of course what is going on today. This is such a beautiful painting, beautiful!!
Hi Sandy,
Thank you so much. I was pretty happy when I finally defined a concept 'to paint'. That's was the most difficult aspect of it. lol.
Vikki
It's a painting/picture rich of meaning and emotions.
The story behind it must have been a noble life of sacrifice and dedication.
I bow to the immensity and power of this work of art.
Your talent is amazing and although I know little of the gallery (Eric sent me over), I believe you did an exceptional job of capturing the thank you.
Your story also touched me deeply and brought to my mind an era I had nearly forgotten on the surface, but which (as I read your story) I realized was still much on the surface of my psyche. I remember dearly the friends we lost in Viet Nam and the bronze bracelets with the names if MIA and POW soldiers of those we knew all through high school.
Once again, I just want to say your work is remarkable and beautiful.
Hi Jena,
Thank you so much. You are very gracious.
Vikki
Hi Vixen,
Thank you for visiting and your comment on my work.
Oh my gosh,- I had completely forgotten about the bracelets. A flood of memories come rushing back to me. Such a time of sadness and change for all of us.
The thing that's extraordinary is that it all occured so long ago and it just seems like yesterday in my memories. It was quite an era to grow up and live in.
Vikki
Beautiful blog, fantastic artwork!
Hi Anne Vis,
Welcome to my site and thanks.
Vikki
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