Artists

Michael Bever is a Chicago based artist and a lover of colour, harnessing and manipulating hues in the most creative applications on canvas. The shelter in place orders of the 2020 pandemic reignited Michael’s passion for painting. After a 20+ year hiatus, he returned to an easel, picked up a paintbrush, and began to create. During his time serving as an Army Ranger, Michael learned to always push the limits past the comfort zone. As the sixth stanza of the Ranger Creed says “ Readily will I display the instestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I am the lone survivor. Michael fights through the difficulties that each piece presents him and refuses to stop it until it is complete.”The military also helped expand his attention to detail. You see this in his work as the contrast of shadow verses light, color against color. He is always learning, always evolving which you will notice in the progression of his works, past, present, and future.

Jack's portrait apprenticeship is in direct lineage to the world's French Master, Ingres.

Former Navy Seabee

Ruth comes from a very artistic family and fell in love with oil painting at 12 years old. She continued to take every art class possible throughout high school and early college. Eventually continuing on to the Art Institute of Colorado to pursue a degree in Interior Design. Many of these classes overlapped to improve art as well, including technical perspectives, rendering, and architectural drawing, line weights, color theory, and color psychology. At 23, she escaped a domestically violent relationship by joining the military and served in the U.S. Army as a Truck Driver (88M) attached to an infantry battalion for 6 years. With an injury sustained during training, Ruth was forced to medically retire from the armed services and worked as a Firearms Instructor and Range Safety Officer while pursuing a degree in Marriage and Family Studies with an emphasis on Child Advocacy. In April of 2023 Ruth took a leap-of-faith to pursue art professionally. In August the same year she entered her first major art competition and placed 1st in Oil Painting as well as the People’s Choice Award at the Cheyenne/Northern Colorado Regional 2023 VA Creative Arts Competition. In September she seized the opportunity to attend a workshop by artist Dallan Lambson to further improve her skills. She is currently based in Colorado and paints full-time while raising 2 kids as a single mother. She loves nature and can frequently be found in the mountains, especially during summer. Her art is recognized through copious amounts of detail and vibrant colors. She does commission work as well as freelance.

I am a veteran of the US Army and 100% VA disabled. I served mostly with the 101st Airborne Division (AA), starting out enlisted as a Chinook helicopter repairman/platoon SGT and then flew Blackhawks as a CW2 aviator/safety officer. I served in Desert Shield/Storm and several worldwide locations. I now spend my time using art as therapy to normalize myself into the civilian world. I'm also trying to learn music with a variety of instruments, it isn't pretty.\nI have had the honor of being married to my soulmate for 29 years and have 7 rescue cats that we share our home with. When not taking care of cats, we can be seen doing CrossFit and Boot Camp at our favorite gym in the Pacific Northwest.

Renee served in the Woman's Army Corp stationed in Germany in the mid 70s. Daily hiking provides Renee with a variety of subject matter for her acrylic paintings. All seasons of nature are her subject matter although she is partial to Lake Michigan beach settings and our wonderful snowy landscapes. A quick sketch from her photos onto canvass, multiple washes, and then detail complete her work.

US Army 1971-1978-Ft. Dix, Monmouth, Devens and Bliss. Okinawa. ASA. Creating art regularly since 2007. Art courses at Houston Community College (2 classes). Participated in many shows around Houston. Vet Art Competition a few years ago. My paintings are global, especially with ACEOS-art cards. Acrylics, Abstract, contemporary, sometimes messy art. Doodle drawings. Home studio is a cross between a warehouse and studio just after a tornado. Twitter (X) is my primary outlet for physical and digital (NFT) creations. No more outside shows. Left a lot of the Army stuff when I ETS'ed. Kind of how I left all the friends and family when I enlisted. So no military like art that I am aware of. Having fun and sharing life.

I began like most with drawing and decided that I needed to try something new. One way of expression is making miniature scenes out of polymer clay attempting to bring a story to the piece. From here, I branched out to challenge myself, as well as the viewer, in interpretation of a narrative.

Hi! Welcome to the Veteran Art Institute. I am honored to be a part of this program. I use my own paintings, digital images, and created images to create mixed media art that pops! I was asked to participate by sharing in order to help preserve the integrity of our veterans; past, present and future. For this reason I stand. Igy6. God bless you and Thank you for your service!

Trevor's passion for wildlife art traces back to countless hunting and fishing trips in Northern Upstate New York, his birthplace and upbringing. The abundant variety of wildlife in the northeast fueled his enthusiasm for painting nature, making art a significant part of his life. Post high school, Trevor temporarily set aside his art career to enlist in the United States Army as a Military Policeman. In the early stages of his military journey, Trevor deployed to Southeastern Europe in support of Operation Joint Forge. He later completed an overseas tour in South Korea as part of the United Nations Command Security Battalion (UNCSB) and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Trevor's path led him to become a Military Police Investigator before receiving an honorable discharge from the Army. Following his military service, Trevor redirected more of his time and energy towards his art. Over time, his artist portfolio expanded as his unique style continued to evolve. Trevor developed a keen interest in hunting and fishing-related stamp contests. He started entering state-level stamp contests, and after a few unsuccessful attempts, Trevor received the call he had been hoping for. In 2023, he secured 1st Place/Best in Show in the 2024 Delaware Trout Stamp Contest. Currently residing in Colorado, Trevor remains dedicated to producing art, with wildlife as his preferred subject matter.

I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating from high school in 1975, I enlisted in the United States Navy. I served from 1976 until the end of 1979. I was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Fort Fisher L.S.D. 40 out of San Diego, Ca. I completed two Westpac deployment's and participated in the Radiological cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. I'm classified as an "Atomic Veteran", I bought my first film camera in Japan. Upon separating from the Navy, I started attending a Michigan Police Academy after my separation from the Navy. I hired on and served in the same department for over 30 years. As part of my responsibilities, I took photographs reflecting the worst of times in society. I picked up my camera very little in my spare time. I bought a new digital camera after retiring from Law Enforcement. I needed a change in scenery and wanted to reconnect with the natural beauty of our great outdoors. I enjoy getting outside and focusing my attention on the landscape and wildlife. However, my eye's are drawn toward anything interesting. My hope is for you to walk with me on my life journey of the great outdoors. May my photographs bring you enjoyment and a smile to your face.

Hello, I’m an Army veteran . I served for 11 years and am a OIF veteran. I am primarily a documentary photographer. I mostly work in the West, but travel throughout the country. Thanks for taking a look at my work.

All ways have an interest in the arts. Wanted to draw and paint but the connection between brain and hand did not work so well. My interest in photography begin at the age of six. My grandfather let me use his Kodak Brownie 6-20 camera. I have taken art courses and not so good. It was back to the camera to full fill desire to express my need to create art.

Benedict Tisa is the recipient of 2 New Jersey State Council of the Arts Fellowships, a New Pictorialist Society Fellowship and the R.R. Watson Award to Filmmakers. He served as an Artist‑in‑Residence in Camden County, New Jersey. Articles and photographs have been published in Africa Report, African Technology Forum, American Photographer, Darkroom Photography, DEROS and ShotGlass Poetry Journals, Institute for Food and Development Policy, Poetry Today, and UNESCO. His art works are included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Art Institute of Chicago, National Museum of Art, Visual Arts Workshop, Walker Art Center, Cleveland State University, Boston Zoological Society and Harvard University. Benedict served four years in the US Navy, was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Ivory Coast and served with International Voluntary Services in Bangladesh. He is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles. In addition to exhibitions he has worked as a senior technical advisor to the School Education and Technology Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation where he designed and implemented programs using technologies such as digital imaging, Internet and web application to be used in the West African public education and distance learning activities. He worked with Johns Hopkins and the Academy for Educational Development providing technical assistance in the fields of communication, new technologies, behavior change, social marketing applications in youth, child survival, population and reproductive health activities. In Niger working with the Population Demographic Program he planned, directed and produced national mass media campaign for promotion of family planning activities using radio and TV programs. Work in Haiti led to the collaboration with Haitian artist to produce a series of flags and banners based on traditional Haitian mediums.

Medically retired Army / Nat Guard Vet. Right handed, right brained, left eyed dominant. Go figure. Weird Art / Weird Artist

I am a Navy veteran, living in Minnesota. I enjoy the outdoors, and do landscape and wildlife photography. Now that I'm retired, I can really enjoy my hobby.

Whitney is a studio commission artist. He started drawing and painting around the age of 3 and has studied art ever since. Whitney majored in art in college and has won many local and international art competitions. His unique style is studied in art school. He has been featured in several art galleries and shows. Whitney is involved in the community and had been featured in the local news 5 times. His art is displayed in local businesses, and he has many collectors, patrons, and admirers. Whitney became a professional artist in 2020 and has since sold over $40,000 dollars worth of art as a business owner. Whitney is also a successful Actor and Author.

My work brings forth the Black woman’s voice through my framework of Black Artistic Thought. Black Artistic Thought is the creative process behind works of art originating from the lived experiences of Black women artists and thinkers, as we demonstrate our ability to express the spiritual in multidisciplinary forms. While Black women artists lay the foundation for my framework, Black Artistic Thought is inclusive and aims to engage a broader audience in conversations about the spiritual.

Retired veteran of ARMY Georgia National Guard and art illustrator, painter and graphic designer. Neo impressionist style over 40 years in arts and printing business.