I am proud to be a juried artist in The United States of America Coast Guard Art Program. This is the first painting I have created for the 2021 art competition. If selected as a finalist, this piece will hang in Coast Guard galleries around the world. If it is chosen to be part of the Coast Guard permanent collection, I will have achieved another big goal of mine. Wish me luck!
Hoisted is inspired by a photo of Alaska-based Coast Guard crews conducting hoist training in Kodiak, Alaska on March 26, 2020. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Toler is a Kodiak-based aviation survival technician, In this image he reaches for the entrance of an M-I-60 Jayhawk helicopter as he is hoisted up from the deck of Coast Guard Cutter Naushon (WPB 1311). Toler was required to deploy from the helicopter down to the vessel as part of his final qualification flight to become a fully qualified rescue swimmer.
The photo was taken by Petty Officer 1st Class Bradley Pigage in U.S. Coast Guard District 17.
The reason this image inspired me, is that 2020 has been one hell of a year. Between political divisions and Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, not just in America, but people across the planet have been in need of a helping hand. Throughout it all my empathies have been with our first responders. Two of my children are first responders. This image put a smile in my heart. To me, it illustrates that we are never alone. Even when we are striving to achieve the seemingly impossible, help is available if we reach for it. Sometimes it's virtual. Sometime's it's knowledge passed down from previous generations. Sometimes it's a strength that someone planted in our soul long ago. But that metaphorical helping hand is always there. It's part of the human condition. We require connection for our physical and mental health. We are social animals, and we rely on one another for survival.
I am proud to be a juried artist in The United States of America Coast Guard Art Program. This is the first painting I have created for the 2021 art competition. If selected as a finalist, this piece will hang in Coast Guard galleries around the world. If it is chosen to be part of the Coast Guard permanent collection, I will have achieved another big goal of mine. Wish me luck!
Hoisted is inspired by a photo of Alaska-based Coast Guard crews conducting hoist training in Kodiak, Alaska on March 26, 2020. Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Toler is a Kodiak-based aviation survival technician, In this image he reaches for the entrance of an M-I-60 Jayhawk helicopter as he is hoisted up from the deck of Coast Guard Cutter Naushon (WPB 1311). Toler was required to deploy from the helicopter down to the vessel as part of his final qualification flight to become a fully qualified rescue swimmer.
The photo was taken by Petty Officer 1st Class Bradley Pigage in U.S. Coast Guard District 17.
The reason this image inspired me, is that 2020 has been one hell of a year. Between political divisions and Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, not just in America, but people across the planet have been in need of a helping hand. Throughout it all my empathies have been with our first responders. Two of my children are first responders. This image put a smile in my heart. To me, it illustrates that we are never alone. Even when we are striving to achieve the seemingly impossible, help is available if we reach for it. Sometimes it's virtual. Sometime's it's knowledge passed down from previous generations. Sometimes it's a strength that someone planted in our soul long ago. But that metaphorical helping hand is always there. It's part of the human condition. We require connection for our physical and mental health. We are social animals, and we rely on one another for survival.
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This piece is now part of The American Coast Guard Permanent Collection!
Finalist in the American Women Artists 2021 Spring Online Show
Finalist in the American Artists Professional League 2021 spring online exhibition