National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - Veteran Artwork Recognition

1. JRRD is a proud sponsor of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. JRRD annually features veteran artwork on its cover in recognition of the effect that creative arts programs have on patients’ rehabilitation and recovery. The JRRD staff thank you for your service and for sharing your artwork with our readers.

2. The Wave by Air Force veteran David W. Primrose

3. Primrose’s photograph of the beautiful Arizona landscape has earned him a gold medal in the 2008 NVCAF. Primrose is both a veteran and an employee of the Veteran’s Administration. Other works by Primrose can be seen on display at the Northern Arizona VAMC in Prescott, Ariz. The Wave by Air Force veteran David W. Primrose

4. Wanta Race by Army veteran John E. Powell

5. John Powell is a disabled Army veteran from Balch Springs, Texas. His self-portrait, “Wanta Race” was inspired by a poster of a paralympian that hangs in his home. Powell is brain injured and uses a wheelchair to compete in several sporting events including power soccer, slalom, air guns, and softball. Wanta Race by Army veteran John E. Powell

6. Traditional Dancer by Marine Corps veteran Allen Eckman

7. This cast paper sculpture of a traditional Native American dancer earned Eckman a gold medal in the 2008 NVCAF. Eckman is a 59-year-old Marine Corps veteran from Rapid City, S.D. Eckman is a professional sculptor and uses his art to relieve depression and stress. Traditional Dancer by Marine Corps veteran Allen Eckman

8. One Morning in December by Army veteran Benjamin F. Snider

9. A resident of Grand Junction, Colo., Snider dreams of the day he can retire and become tired from painting. Snider’s oil painting, One Morning, is his first arts festival entry. Snider is an amateur artist who is largely self taught. One Morning in December by Army veteran Benjamin F. Snider

10. Concerto by Army veteran Gary Wedin

11. Wedin entered the local creative arts festival for an opportunity to see his work displayed on walls other than his own. A part-time artist while working in the construction industry for more than 40 years, Wedin just returned “in force” to painting. Concerto, a monochromatic experiment on canvas earned Wedin the gold medal and advancement to the 2007 NVCAF. Concerto by Army veteran Gary Wedin

12. Kayak by Navy veteran Michael Thompson

13. A silver medalist in the digital photography category, Thompson is a self-taught digital photographer. Thompson actively participates in an art therapy program at the Salt Lake City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Thompson credits his art participation with improving his concentration, self-esteem, and social skills. Kayak by Navy veteran Michael Thompson

14. Arc de Matutula by Army veteran Smith Iuli

15. Representing the gateway through which we must all pass to become the person that God wanted us to be, the Arc de Matutula earned Iuli, an Army veteran, top honors and the privilege to exhibit at the 2007 NVCAF. A professional musician and graphic designer, Iuli has won gold medals in both the vocal solo (jazz/rhythm and blues) and digital art categories. Arc de Matutula by Army veteran Smith Iuli

16. Dog Fight─1918 by Marine Corps veteran Albert Blaisdell

17. In 1944, Blaisdell was wounded in combat in the Palau Islands, losing much of the use of his right arm and hand. During a 17-month stay in a naval hospital, he strengthened his left hand by sketching. Dog Fight ─1918 received a gold medal in the Fine Arts category and earned Blaisdell advancement to the 2006 NVCAF. Dog Fight─1918 by Marine Corps veteran Albert Blaisdell

18. Let He Who Knows Not How To Pray Go To Sea by Navy veteran James Oscar Nelson

19. This oil painting illustrates the real-life experiences of World War II veteran Jim Nelson. Nelson was stationed on the Landing Ship Tank 70 off the coast of Okinawa, where he and his shipmates spent one terrifying night battling a typhoon. During the night, “A shipmate gave me a song with God in it. As I read the song, I found comfort and was no longer afraid,” said Nelson when describing his painting. Let He Who Knows Not How To Pray Go To Sea by Navy veteran James Oscar Nelson

20. Pond by Army veteran Edward Tricomi

21. After a 50-year career in film and motion picture graphic design, Tricomi lost his eyesight as a result of diabetic retinopathy. Through participation in a VA-sponsored blind rehabilitation program, Tricomi learned to paint with the use of special adaptive equipment. Pond was one of his first paintings since becoming legally blind. Pond was the gold-place finisher in the Special Recognition category of the 2005 NVCAF. Pond by Army veteran Edward Tricomi

22. Autumn by Army veteran Joseph Shelleman

23. Diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Shelleman was honorably discharged from the Army with 100 percent medical disability. GBS is often characterized by paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face. Years of physical therapy have restored some function to Shelleman’s hands, which allows him to paint without use of special equipment. Autumn was a silver- medal finisher at the 2004 NVCAF. Autumn by Army veteran Joseph Shelleman

24. French Red House by Navy veteran Michael Ounjian

25. The exhibition of French Red House culminated 4 years of occupational therapy for Ounjian. Ounjian had a massive stroke in 1999, which paralyzed his right side and caused him to lose his speech. Through weekly rehabilitation sessions, Ounjian learned to paint with his left hand and uncovered a natural talent. French Red House was a contender in the 2003 NVCAF. French Red House by Navy veteran Michael Ounjian

26. Relight the Flame by Army veteran Paul Fujinaga

27. Relight the Flame was created in conjunction with a project developed by an art therapy group at the Honolulu Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center. Made of beach stone and acrylic, Relight the Flame symbolizes Fujinaga’s struggle to quiet the demons that haunt his sleep, a result of serving in the Armed Forces during Vietnam. Relight the Flame was entered in the 2002 NVCAF. Relight the Flame by Army veteran Paul Fujinaga

28. Back To The World by Army veteran Robert Johnsey

29. Back to the World was inspired by Johnsey’s first ambush patrol near Bear Cat, Vietnam, in 1966. As Johnsey explained, soldiers in Vietnam referred to home as “the world” and the lone soldier symbolizes their arriving and departing Vietnam alone. Camaraderie was the key to survival and is represented by the carrying of an ammunition belt for other squad members. Back To The World was an entry in the 2000 NVCAF. Back To The World by Army veteran Robert Johnsey

30. For more information about JRRD, please visit our Web site at www.rehab.research.va.gov Produced by Dore M. Mobley and Robert O. Williams Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development