During my four War on Terrorism tours I've spent several lovely afternoons with EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams. There's nothing quite like a really good explosion to make one appreciate chemistry. EOD guys, like Navy Seabees, are surely among the most unsung heroes out on the frontlines. Everything the grunts discover EOD has to blow up. They stay busy, very busy.
Today's painting shows two of these professionals getting charges ready to blow an insurgent cache in the hills above Hit, Iraq. This cave, probably carved by eons of water flowing down to the Euphrates, was accessible from a single sinkhole opening. They prepped massive charges of C-4 and then suspended them from metal rods laid across a series of half a dozen jagged holes blown open to gain greater access to the underground labryinth. A good time was had by all.
6 comments:
Beautiful work, from what I have seen of your paintings I would say this is your best one ever. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I have to agree with madtom, it is a great painting. Maybe it is your choice of color or the light hitting the soldiers and sand - maybe it is the lackadaisical stance of the soldier - I really like this one.
I just read a blog this morning, passthebrass.com, that told about the ammo dump at his FOB being hit by a rocket and setting off the ammo and the EOD guys running around exploding what was left of the ammo dump - interesting.
Wow, this is a great painting. The story behind it makes it all the more interesting. Can't wait until the museum opening on the 10th!
This is why I always come back to your blog.
Nice, nice, nice, nice, nice.
Was this done with a palette knife? I love the texture of the painting.
just discovered your blog, via aboutpainting.com -- very nice work and I particularly like your portraiture. Fresh, loose.
Can't imagine working in the midst of a war zone. Makes me never want to complain about the obstacles of plein air again..........
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