In 2007, I met Dr. Edward Tick and his wife Kate Dahlstedt and formed a long lasting friendship. I had seen his book “War and the Soul” advertised in a Unity Church magazine when I was still stationed in Fort Leavenworth, KS. I purchased the book and it was something I placed in my “ruck sack” of knowledge. I was part of one of his retreats in September 2007, right before I deployed to Iraq the first time. I met some wonderful people I am still friends with to this day. We stayed in touch and when I came to Washington State I had heard he was to be a guest speaker at Evergreen College. I ended up being able to attend and once again got to see my friend and……
I met two more friends Rick and Val Lawson. Back then, they were not married but they are two old souls I swear! They were there presenting “The War Experience Project” and Rick was a guest speaker. We talked and found a common interest in art and that was just the beginning!
Now in Kindergarten we are all artists, I came across a certificate I received for art! I thought imagine that!!! Someone who in their entire collegiate career only made a C in one subject and that was “basic art.” I still believe we just did not see the same things and that is really what “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder” comes from I believe!
Well, one day Rick and Val contacted me and asked if I wanted to be a part of a workshop for the WEP (War Experience Project). I was unsure at first because in my mind I could barely draw a stick person, not alone paint anything! But when I started to create my experiences on that jacket I was amazed! I was transformed and at times when the mental anguish was so bad, I felt like I was detached from my body, watching myself paint! I would be so tired once I was done but little did I know this was a beginning of something much bigger!
Weeks later, Rick and Val contacted me again to let me know they were recipients of a grant entailing opening up an art studio/gallery in downtown Tacoma, WA and only had to pay for utilities! What a sweet deal! So, we went in and cleaned the place up and Rick and Val opened the art gallery/studio. We were involved in more of the WEP workshops and finally I said jokingly I was about to use up all the jackets…..so Rick suggested canvas! and I took off! I could not paint fast enough! It looked more like a child’s painting but I was having fun and the monkey’s were not bugging me as much. I ended up moving my art stuff there and we painted almost every weekend! There is just something magical when Veterans get together to create art and share their stories. It was my therapy! Eventually, the money dried up and I ended up deploying again in 2011.
While in Iraq, I should have had stock in Dick Blick Art supplies because I was ordering stuff all the time! I eventually had SSG Pinzon and others joining me in creating art! Art not only brings individuals together, it is therapeutic! I was creating with the Medics, the Veterinarians, I had an Air Force physician share that he created with watercolors to deal with his experiences as a physician in a war zone hospital! I even purchased art work done by locals in the bazaar. When I was off work on Saturday and sometimes Sundays, I would go with my techs to shop!
So, I have given some insight as to how my walk with art began. Art is very therapeutic for me and keeps my mind focused on positive things…..
My hope is to share art with other Veterans and how it can literally transform lives……One day I want to have a center where Veterans can come and share their experiences with others that “get it” and heal through creating Art!
Hence the name Veteran Heart Art…..The ideal name for the center would be VET HEART ART CENTER…….
Welcome to my dream!