This all started with an idea to do a series of drawn portraits
of veterans in Ventura County and highlight their sacrifice for our country. My end goal was to have a
show of these drawings, along with the stories of the veterans for people to read. As part of my artistic process I do a lot of
research into other artists and projects that could be similar to what I was
trying to accomplish. I then email the different artists to see if they will respond
with any advice or tips that might help me in the completion of my project. I
spent many hours browsing Google, Pinterest and Instagram. What I found was a
lot of projects where the veterans themselves created the artwork, which is
wonderful and therapeutic, but I wanted to find artists who were giving back to
veterans with their art. I found 5 artists that created something similar to
what I wanted to do and sent out cold emails to see if any of them wanted to
respond. From those 5 emails
I received one reply.
Robert Miller emailed me back within 24 hours. He is a photographer who worked on a book called "Portraits of Service: Looking into the Faces of Veterans". This book was exactly what I envisioned my drawing series to be, only I would use my drawings instead of photographs. He said the
loved my work and wanted to talk over a phone call. I was ecstatic!
After we played email-tag for about a week or so, we finally got the chance to talk.
I had a whole list of questions ready about how he funded his book project and
how he contacted the veterans to interview. I was ready to get answers and start
on my project, but before I had the chance to ask any questions Robert had
asked if I wanted to be a part of the next veteran book he and another photographer
were starting to work on. What?!
Seriously?! I was kind of in shock while I was processing his invitation, then
he told me that he works for National Geographic. DONE, I was in! Wow, National
Geographic!! What an opportunity!
The coolest part about it all was that before he emailed me
to set up a phone conversation he asked his contacts
at Nat Geo to see if they would be willing to let me in on the project. He
contacted his fellow author/photographer, Andrew Wakeford, and discussed it with him too, all
before we ever spoke. The fact that he was looking into bringing me onto the
project, even before I said yes, proves to me that God works behind the scenes
of our lives while we are in the middle of living them. I did nothing to
receive this amazing opportunity except ask for advice, and I feel God dropped
it in my lap.
The book I am involved with is called “Veteran’s Voices: Remarkable Stories of
Heroism, Sacrifice and Honor”. I took this quote from their Facebook page to
help you understand the book: “National Geographic Books and award-winning authors Robert H. Miller and Andrew Wakeford who wrote and photographed Portraits of Service Looking into the Faces of Veterans have come together to create an entirely new book tentatively called Veteran’s Voices: Remarkable Stories of Heroism, Sacrifice and Honor. This book will consist of thirteen sections and honors and explores the unique lives and remarkable stories of our men and women in the United States military.”
My part in this book has changed many times throughout this journey, and is continuing to change. I am not sure how my drawings will be used in the book, but I look forward to telling you once I know. In the mean time, meet the authors:
Andrew Wakford
Robert Miller
It is important to spread
the word and get this book out there. Please take a few minutes to check out
their website and like and share their Facebook page.
The book will be ready
for purchase on April 26, 2016. You can pre-order the book here.
I hope you will join me in sharing and celebrating the life
of the amazing veterans of our military. I am honored to be a part of this book
and its purpose
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