Airman

Debra Jones · 12-27-2005, 03:08 AM

It is a really bad month for old guys. This portrait is for a friend whose husband died last Monday. I was thinking of doing it and in the mean time, my father died on Friday night. Waiting in limbo for plans from my brother in Denver, I started and finished it.

The idea was a memorial centerpiece. He lived to fly. In the last stages of his Alzheimers, the times he made the most sense he thougth he was flying.

The only part I might finish would be his jacket emblem and name.

It is 22x17" on toned paper in charcoal and charcoal pencil.

Next is dad, but it has kept me sane....

(unlike the forum. the uploader is at war with me...this is a larger version)

Patricia Joyce · 12-27-2005, 11:17 AM

I really like this Debra. What a fine tribute and what fun it must be for his wife to see her husband at two stages of his life. In death what has left us is, not an old person, but a whole life...

My deepest sympathy at the loss of your father
Patty

Chris Saper · 12-27-2005, 12:43 PM

Debra,

I too am very sorry to hear about your dad.

Your drawing is lovely - I agree that you should do something about the juncture of shoulder, collar, etc. to let the forward figure stay in front of the younger figure - in conjunction with the tip of the plane's wing, it creates a tangent that runs up to the cheeckbone of the younger figure..

Terri Ficenec · 12-28-2005, 01:32 PM

Debra--
So very sorry to hear about your father.

This is a wonderful tribute to your friend's husband. My father is a retired pilot (Air Force, then commercial airline. . .) and I can't help but look at this and think how much he would appreciate a commemorative just like this! I love the way you've included the old and new planes as well as the younger and older depictions of the man.

Debra Jones · 12-28-2005, 02:41 PM

Thanks so much, I have a lot of friends online.

I had to give it to them last night and made this black and white for a program cover. I made the sleeve go into the 747 lighter and more of a cloud. The ear/hat conjunction is a definate tone meeting a line. It pushed the younger man back, not sure you can see it in the black and white.... and about that corsair..... I have the prop clipping off his hat. The man, before he died, would be asking the nurses to wake him in time for his flight. He had planes in his head all the time... so it was cutting through to the present...

Now, that it is off the easel, I am trying to start something for dad. I can't find any of his Eagle Scout stuff. I may have to wait until I get to Denver to go through things....

Drat... something with me and the uploader.... I will post it when it lets me in... here is the link

Simon Bland · 01-05-2006, 06:19 PM

I think this is a remarkable piece, Debra, both before and after the changes you made. I especially like the movie-poster look. The juxtaposition of the tight drawing of him as a younger man and the looser feel of the other is also refreshing to the eye.

As a former engineer I must also compliment you on you accurate drawing of the planes: both are instantly recognizeable, and I think the care with which you depicted them would have been very important to your friend's husband.

Simon