This weekend the BBC was gracious enough to host a slide show with a sampling of my artwork, and a link to this blog. My 'sitemeter' has gone off the scale with visitors. It is very interesting to read the wide variety of comments being left here at Fire and Ice. I want to assure all of you that I do read the comments and appreciate the earnestness and honesty informing the thoughts of the overwhelming majority of folks who've taken the time to leave a word or two. I want to invite those of you who may take exception to my political views to at least take the time to view artwork and photographs scattered throughout 125 postings.
Sometime this Saturday my viewership topped 100,000 and I want to recognize this milestone. I started this blog in September of 2005 merely as a way to keep family and friends informed of my adventures, and to have a place fellow Marines could go to see more of my artwork. It became so much more than I could have imagined and has led to things such as being featured on the BBC. It is somewhat ironic that the very first 'combat art' I ever sketched was a drawing of a sailor and a Marine aboard the USS Guam Christmas Eve 1990, during Operation Desert Shield, listening on a small shortwave radio to the BBC.
Sometime this Saturday my viewership topped 100,000 and I want to recognize this milestone. I started this blog in September of 2005 merely as a way to keep family and friends informed of my adventures, and to have a place fellow Marines could go to see more of my artwork. It became so much more than I could have imagined and has led to things such as being featured on the BBC. It is somewhat ironic that the very first 'combat art' I ever sketched was a drawing of a sailor and a Marine aboard the USS Guam Christmas Eve 1990, during Operation Desert Shield, listening on a small shortwave radio to the BBC.
Listening to the BBC, Christmas Eve 1990
21 comments:
I just wanted to congratulate you on the BBC story, and thank you for the strong committment that you have to your fellow servicemen.
I will link to the BBC article and your blog. Thanks for your service.
I linked to you also on Saturday. smile And congratulations, of course.
LCDR Tammy Swofford, USNR, NC
It was great to run across your stuff by accident on the BBC site -- I then forwarded the link to a bunch of Marine friends I've been keeping up with news about your art progress. I'm here for the pictures more than the politics, definitely ;-) Gorgeous stuff.
In school we had just finished talking about the works of art and literature of the Vietnam war which led me to wondering about the art and literature that would come from this time. Because of the BBC article this wonder was answered and I really like the message your pieces bring. Congratulations and keep capturing the world in your work :-)
-Arthi
I appreciate your work, it is amazing. I also enjoy your politics.
Thanks for being there and sharing with us.
Jo
Hi Michael your anecdotes really were nice to read. I was curious of how you get to sketch these vistas...I assume you must be in great danger of being targeted as it does put you in the line of fire!
Take care and sketch/color on dear friend :)
I'm an italian pacifist, against this war. But I respect your point of wiew, your art and I love the eyes of humanity in your work.
Congratulations on the BBC slide show. I appreciate your sketching and watercolors. Look forward to seeing more of your works and also reading your posts, I'll come back again. Good luck with your endeavors.
God bless you and all who serve. Is there any way to purchase some form of your art? Do you offer cards or reproductions? Be delighted if this can be a way to raise funds for needy service men and women. I hope the US media is also giving coverage to the work you do. Also enjoy your blog observations and AMAZED to find a fellow enthusiast for The Phantom Tollbooth! But, do please offer your art commercially. The sculpture is also very moving.
Excellent pictures. Happened upon them whilst trawling the news on the BBC ( I am in the uk). I particularly enjoyed the fact that they appear to show all facets of conflict. Often in the Uk Americans are depicted as being very insular.
Mike, congrats on your success. Your pics are beautiful. I especially loved the one of Nick. Unfortunate that there is such a sad story behind that beautiful sketch.
Best wishes!
Dana
BZ, Mr. Fay!!! It's a great good thing you've received world-wide recognition. I'm amazed the Beeb didn't mention the fact that you were a SSgt when you created the works in the slide show but have since (long since) been promoted...
--Buck (Picker of Nits, First Class)
Hey congratulations man! Indeed,I read about your work on the BBC. I think its important that the military has artists to document the war in Iraq. Keep it up!!
Well deserved and congratulations. Looking forward to much more from you!
Hi,I am a writer from China and I'm living in Sri Lanka with my family now bcause my husband is working here as a journalist. I have read the story about your art from the BBC website, translated it into Chinese and posted it on my blog (http://liuyongqiu.blshe.com/post/44/38971).
Some of my friends are very interested to your story and ask me to give them your blog address.
Now a magazine in China asks me to write a story about you. So,could I have the honor to make an interview with you via the internet?
向你表示祝贺！是BBC使我认识你的博客，希望看到你更多的好作品。
Well, pfftt. I can say I "knew you when..."! *snicker*
Congrats on the BBC recognition, sugah.
Hey, why is it so dark in here?
It's like the room is somehow in shadow...
hmmmm...
And what's that clanking sound I here?
I am most pleased to say that I followed a link kindly provided by OPFOR. Pleased, because your works capture so well the "grunts" who are oft-times forgotten, by civilians, to be the heart and soul of a company. Thank you, sir, for your service. You make America proud.
Veritas et Fidelis Semper
Once again, your work is excellent. Glad to find you again.
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