Memorial Day in the United States is for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.Our VETERANS who risk all to protect us and this great country. No matter the race, sex, or political beliefs~ setting ALL differences aside, they sacrifice EVERYTHING for WE THE PEOPLE. Not a black, not a white, not an Asian, not a young, not an old, not based on your sexual preference, not a Democrat, Liberal or Republican~ but for the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
For Memorial 2021, Phoenix AYLUS encourage members to send a picture of any of their art associated with soldiers, veterans, and/or heroes. We will collect them to edit them for a Video virtual art exhibition to remember and honor all who served and deserved. Currently we are under collection the art piece stage.
Description for first piece:
My painting shows me as a young child sitting with my Great Grandfather, Col. Richard L. Randolph USAF. I only have vague memories of him, but I’ve read and heard many fascinating stories of his life. He grew up on the west coast during the depression years, and in 1939 joined the Army Air Corps. After graduating from flight training, my Great Grandfather was assigned to the 462nd Bomb Group as a B-29 commander. The painting shows the unofficial 462nd emblem, “Hellbirds – With Malice Toward Some.”
The B-29 was the most advanced aircraft of World War II, designed to operate in the Pacific Theater. B-29s made their way to combat via the Atlantic, across north Africa to Cairo, through India, and finally over “The Hump” to Chengdu, China. From Chengdu, B-29s struck targets in Southern Japan, Manchuria, South-East Asia, and Japanese occupied targets within China. The painting highlights many of the regions traversed by B-29 crews during the war.
Patriots, like my Great Grandfather, served in time of war out of love for their country and a sense of duty. My Great Grandfather and his crew returned home safe after the war, but many did not. Countless soldiers paid the ultimate price to protect this nation. This painting honors the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation and the freedoms passed down to generations to come.
Description for second piece:
Living in a Phoenix suburb my whole life, hearing about ravaging wildfires every summer is something that has become a norm. Personally, it has not affected my life until last summer when skies that are normally light blue and cloudless, turned dark and hazy with a dimmed, orange-red sun. I realized that we had such terrible conditions in the city, the situation near the wildfires must be unbearable. Unfortunately, with millions of acres burned, thousands of residents and animals displaced, and firefighters working
in unbearable conditions, the wildfires will only continue to strengthen each summer due to the harsh effects of global warming. In my piece, I focus on depicting the horrors a firefighter witnesses by adding strong colors to his face. The dark and bright tones symbolize death, fire, and mourning. Furthermore, the deer running from the fire displays another problem that goes widely unreported: the effect of wildfires on wildlife. Hopefully, my piece can not only bring attention to the issue of wildfires but enact positive change and support for those harmed.
Michael Randolph (2 hours)
Katherine Wei (3 hours)
Ethan Wei (2 hours)
