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R & R

16" x 20", oil on wood panel, 2014

I wanted to have a truthful but diverse representation of what the soldiers experienced during World War One. Even with 100 paintings I knew I couldn't be truly comprehensive, but I did manage to show some non-horrific, non-combative aspects in a few.

One thing that struck me during my research was the very strong bond many soldiers made with each other, despite differences in class, education, wealth, etc., and that these bonds were often maintained after the war among the survivors, these comrades being the only people who could understand the experience.

So I wanted to illustrate a moment or two of levity, or at least a break in the terrible fighting where they were able to take their minds off of it for a while.



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