Here’s another new portrait from the Warriors for Peace series.  This one is of Liam Madden, an Iraq War veteran living in Boston, MA.  It was a real pleasure to meet and hang out with Liam and the other members of IVAW Boston that he lives with.  I loved the message that we decided to include in Liams photo- “Evolve into Love” which just happened to be drawn on combat paper (paper made from the pulp of his uniform).  It is so fitting, so grounding, so simple and just a perfect phrase, goal, call to action and request for all of us.  It really does seem to be Liam’s mantra.  And I might just have to add it to my list of mantra’s as well.  I mean really, what else are we really here for anyway?  Shouldn’t that be the ultimate goal? And if yes, than shouldn’t we be making it more of a priority?  Check out Liam’s story and portrait below and feel free to share your thoughts.

Liam Madden was a “good Marine” who graduated the top of his class. However, the Iraq war, which he served in as a sergeant from 2004 to 2005, prompted his search for explanations for who wielded power in this world and why it appeared so deceitful and brutal. He became dedicated to speaking out and spent three years… as a peace activist, including time as the chair of Iraq Veterans Against the War’s board of directors, co-founder of Appeal for Redress, and appearing on countless media outlets including CNN, Keith Olberman, and 60 Minutes. Liam now believes peace comes from within. “I am left with the conviction that the infinite, all encompassing energy of love is the only reality and all else is an illusion derived from the insane belief that we are separate from each other.”
Liam Madden, Iraq War Veteran, Boston, MA

Introducing “Drew Cameron”

Sorry it’s been a while.  Been a bit overwhelmed as of late.  I’ll be posting several of the new portraits here in the next week or so along with the stories that go with them.  These were all done on a recent two week long trip to the east coast.  The first one was done in Burlington, VT and is of Iraq war veteran Drew Cameron.   Drew served with the U.S Army in Iraq in 2003 as a Field Artillery Soldier.  After returning from Iraq and getting out of the military Drew co-founded an organization called Combat Paper Project, which works with returning veterans to turn their uniforms into hand made paper, which is then used to share stories, emotions, art, etc.  Drew and other members of the Combat Paper Project have been touring nationally and internationally both showing their art and leading workshops for veterans and others who are interested. The poem below was one of Drew’s first projects.  It was originally published in the book “Warrior Writers” which was created by another amazing project called the Warrior Writers Project, which works with returning vets to help them share their stories through art, poetry, essays, etc.  Definitely check them out.

“You are not my Enemy
my brother my sister
but I have done something wrong
and perhaps I am now yours.
I went to your home
I went inside
soiled your rug and
bullied your children.

You are not my enemy
my father my mother.
I drove on you
threw garbage into your window
burned your garden
and spit in your water.

You are not my enemy
my grandmother my grandfather.
I built walls between us.
Rubble made sound
sand scattered plastic bags all around
rifles and checkpoints
bright lights into your eyes.

No, you are not my enemy
my partner my friend.
We were betrayed.

You are not my enemy
my child my self.
Our blood is the same.

You are not my enemy
my memories and rage.
Re-making sense now together.

You are not my enemy
you never were.
You are a part of me
as I am with you.

You are not my enemy
we will stay true.

You are not my enemy
we will change this
with you. ”

Drew Cameron, Iraq War Veteran, Burlington, VT.

"It was a lost cause, we went over, we participated in things we probably shouldn’t have participated in, we made choices we’ll have to live with forever and then we get on a plane and come back here and nothing is ever said about it…” Zach Choate, Iraq War veteran, Atlanta, Georgia

Due to an outpouring of support and interest in the “Odysseus Project: Finding Home” art exhibit, of which four pieces from my Warriors for Peace series are a part, the show has been extended till July 25th.   The exhibit highlights work by artists and veteran-artists focusing on issues of war (from WWII till the present) and the experience of veterans returning home.  I have heard great feedback on the exhibit from those that have been able to make it thus far.  More information about all the events and directions to the gallery can be seen on the Odysseus Project website.  The website and the proect itself is dedicted to creating dialogue between veterans and non-veterans regarding the effects of war.  I encourage you to check out the site.