Top 5 Veterans Day Art: Honoring & Capturing the Heart of Heroes

In honor of Veteran’s Day, we had iCanvas’ E-Commerce Manager, Zecharia Gilbert, take over the blog. A veteran himself, he explored artwork recognizing military heroes, and even had the chance to speak with some of the artists. We hope you feel inspired by these creators and Zech’s interpretations.

As a United States military veteran, we’ve encountered many experiences that often can’t be explained, put into words or even spoken of. Art has the power to transcend words and capture the intense feelings that we have. These are feelings of longing, hope, sadness, success, home and brotherhood. These are my top 5 military art and Veterans Day art pieces that evoke the spirit of veterans and celebrate their sacrifices.

1. Tommy by Richard Harpum

“Tommy” by Richard Harpum is a piece of art that evokes many strong feelings. As veterans return from war, they often feel alone. In this artwork, “Tommy” is alone and walking through a poppy field. The artist leaves the viewer wondering if Tommy is returning from war, died on the battle field or headed for heaven. The poppy’s are a sign of remembrance for fallen soldiers and often grew in and around the Western front during the First World War. Tommy could also simply be remembering his fallen brothers. Leaving the viewer with these possibilities, fosters a strong relationship with the art.

To dig deeper, we got a chance to speak with Richard Harpum about this art piece.

Q. What motivated or inspired you to choose this particular theme, and what message did you intend to convey through your art?

A. “Tommy” depicts a WW1 soldier wading through a field of poppies in France sometime during the 1914 – 1918 Great War. I was inspired to paint this when I was told by a visitor to my stand at an art show that 2011 was the Royal British Legion’s 90th anniversary. The visitor saw some of my poppy paintings and suggested that I should donate part of the sale proceeds to the Legion. As an ex-serviceman myself (I spent 11 years in the British Army), I thought that I would go one better and produce a special painting with which to generate funds for the event and possibly for the forthcoming WW1 Centenary.
The original idea for this painting had already come to me when I was watching the 2007 movie “Atonement”, in which there is a brief scene of a soldier walking through a poppy field during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940. My wife said at the time that this would make a good painting. I decided that in keeping with the British Legion’s anniversary and John McCrae’s famous poem “In Flanders Fields” that inspired the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, a painting with a WW1 soldier would be most appropriate.

Q. Could you walk us through the creative process behind this piece, from concept to completion?

A. Most of the painting was created out of my imagination, but I carried out extensive research on British Army uniforms from the period and used reference photos of myself for the soldier’s pose, along with others from the extensive photo library I have built up over the years. I also took additional poppy photos in the local fields during June.
Before starting to paint, I sketched the overall concept on paper using golden sections (1: 1.618) to position the sun, soldier and various other features.

Q. Have you had personal experiences or interactions with veterans that influenced your artistic choices for this piece and what is some of the feedback from veterans when they see this piece?

A. I served in the British Army for 11 years and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers. It was a wonderful experience and I reached the rank of Major. So as a veteran myself, I think that I have some understanding of what other military personnel have been through, especially if they have seen action.
This painting receives more hits on my website than any of my other paintings and I also sell more prints than any of the others, especially around Armistice Day. I have no idea how many of these people are veterans but this does suggest that the painting stirs emotions in people, some of whom no doubt have military experience.

Q. How do you believe art can serve as a platform for discussing complex emotions and experiences related to military service?

A. Military service can be tough, especially in war situations. As a medium, I believe that art can stir emotions and may help those who have suffered during their military service.

Q. What is some of the feedback or stories from veterans or their families about how your art has resonated with them?

A. I receive a lot of comments on the various websites where ‘Tommy’ is included. However, it is rarely clear whether these comments are from veterans. In most cases, the comments are very positive and it is clear have stirred emotions.

Q. How does creating art about themes like this piece contribute to a broader conversation about veterans and their experiences?

A. I am often asked by a variety of organizations, including schools, for license to use the image of ‘Tommy’ in some sort of military program that they are undertaking. In all cases, I give them a royalty-free license, so that they can promote the role of veterans and open up conversations about their experiences, often to those with no military experience.

Q. Do you plan to continue addressing military and veteran-related themes in your work?

A. I have no immediate plans to paint another veteran-related work (I have another painting in addition to ‘Tommy’) but that does not mean that I will not paint more in the future.

2. One Piece At a Time by LeAnna Wurzer

One Piece At A Time is truly a beautiful piece of patriotic art that depicts a U.S. Marine that is essentially attempting to “put himself back together”.

In in interview with Canvas Rebel, LeAnna Wurzer had the following to say about her painting –

“A few years ago, I created a painting called “One Piece At a Time,” (18”x24” oil on canvas), which created quite a buzz within military groups on social media. It depicts a U.S. Marine sergeant in his dress blues, putting missing pieces of himself back together as though confined within a puzzle. The painting was created in support of military combat-related PTSD awareness, an issue that is very near and dear to my heart.”

Veterans return from battle, yet the battle never quite leaves them. They struggle with PTSD and reestablishing themselves in the world. There are often moments in life where 3 a.m. comes without the ability to sleep. They’re left staring out the window, wondering how they can piece life back together. For these reasons, this work of art is very strong and connects well with the veteran community!

3. Soldier’s Cross by Geno Peoples

Geno Peoples’ painting, Soldiers Cross, draws attention to the desolation and void left in the wake of a fellow fallen soldier. Mourning a fellow soldier’s death can be much different than the mourning of other deaths and to understand the true impact of this artwork, you really need to understand why it’s so different. Soldiers wake together, train together, eat together, pray together and cry together 24 hours a day. Aside from the time spent together, the challenges that soldiers overcome together are rooted in life and death, and for these reasons, they create unbreakable bonds. Often, us veterans, do not like to be called military heroes, because, in our eyes, the true military heroes are those that layed down their lives for their country.

Here’s what Geno Peoples had to say about the “Soldiers Cross”:

Q. What motivated or inspired you to choose this particular theme, and what message did you intend to convey through your art?

A. My youngest brother of five was serving over in Iraq at the time of this painting and had shared a few stories with me. Through him, I was educated on some of the horrors of war and the impact it can make on a serving soldier! He had grown close to a few of his friends who had actually paid the ultimate price as a soldier. The “Soldier’s Cross” was one of the ways he had a chance to express his loss, personally! I just simply felt it was worthy of letting people understand the highly honored regard for the “Soldier’s Cross!”

Q. Could you walk us through the creative process behind this piece, from concept to completion?

A. My brother was serving over sea’s at the time that I had the idea of painting the “Soldier’s Cross” so he didn’t actually have the chance to model for me. Fortunately, I had a soldier here at home whom was very helpful and willing to model and help in the research of it all. It had to be right! Unfortunately through personal loss of his own.

Q. Have you had personal experiences or interactions with veterans that influenced your artistic choices for this piece and what is some of the feedback from veterans when they see this piece?

A. It seems to always be held in high regard due to the magnitude of the painting itself. Knowing what it stands for and unfortunately the sacrifice it represents! Most have witnessed it, some have been on their knees personally. I have had soldiers stand in front of the painting and take a pause to show their respect. The painting, at least what I have experienced personally, has made a huge impact with the military community. And that makes me proud!

Q. How do you believe art can serve as a platform for discussing complex emotions and experiences related to military service?

A. I believe art, done right and researched correctly can loudly speak to people through a polished image and allow people to receive a message through the eyes of the ones who has served. Personally, that’s the secret ingredients to great art.

Q. What is some of the feedback or stories from veterans or their families about how your art has resonated with them?

A. Active military and veterans have always responded well to my military art due to solid research that reveals the truth. I labored to paint through the eyes of the men and women who have served.

Q. How does creating art about themes like this piece contribute to a broader conversation about veterans and their experiences?

A. Locally, I have had many opportunities to talk to veterans about the “Soldier’s Cross” and hear their stories. I don’t believe I have ever had a negative conversation where they didn’t want to go out and share this piece with someone. Even though this particular painting may trigger some unpleasant memories, it seems to generally gravitate them back to why they served….Freedom! and it sometimes comes at a high cost.

Q. Do you plan to continue addressing military and veteran-related themes in your work?

A. I have always put American flags in 90% of my work anytime it fits the painting! I’m very patriotic and love this country. I love painting Americana themes like, cabins on the water, small country towns, general stores etc. Personally, It’s my way of giving back to all active military and veterans. Thank God for our strong military and may God bless our troops and the USA!!

4. The Final Salute – Blad Eagle by Carrie Ann Grippo-Pike

The photography of Carrie Ann Grippo-Pike captures a rare moment where this eagle perches upon the grave stone in a veteran’s cemetery. On Memorial Day, you will often see the American Flag adorning these cemeteries and it’s beautiful to see the support for our fallen soldiers. For veterans around the United States, Memorial Day is often a time to remember their military brothers and sisters who have fallen. It’s also a time time to be thankful for such an amazing country! “The Final Salute” captures all of these aspects!

5. Love, Hate And Tolerance by LeAnna Wurzer

The painting “Love, Hate And Tolerance” is a beautiful representation of a U.S. Marine holding a flag. Is the fight over? Did he lose a fellow soldier? Why is he holding the American flag? The artist, LeAnna Wurzer, leaves the viewer with many questions, but one thing is for sure: this soldier is reflecting on many things with a heavy heart.

Veterans Day is a day for us to celebrate those that keep the United States free. Here is a complete listing of Veterans Day military art. Enjoy!