Painting to Afghanistan

This is the first of 10 paintings about my friends who have served. The Canadian Reserves has a long tradition of serving in peace keeping missions, wars and conflicts all over the world.

I've decided to document, through paint, my friends and regimental fellows who have served in these conflicts. These are individuals who join the reserves and volunteer to leave their civilian jobs, school and family in order to serve their country, prove their skills, make money and/or to support their regimental brothers and sisters. In Canada, reservists are not called up or forced to go overseas to serve a tour of duty. Canadian reservists have to volunteer for duty. They conduct work-up training, serve a tour and then come home, back to their civilian lives. These tours might be as long at 18 months including the work up training.

I don't intend this to be a commentary on the necessity of war, nor do I intent to politicize the debate on our current engagements throughout the world. What I intend is to document the history of my friends and former regimental family who have decided to go to war. To capture them in their element, to provide context to their stories and give meaning to my own contribution. That said, it would be disingenuous for me to suggest I am unbiased. I also served in a reserve infantry unit for over 20 years.

This blog will document the creation of these paintings, the creative process and final product. I welcome both constructive and critical feedback.

Christopher B