Kelly
Veteran: Kelly M.*, Army National Guard
“I grew a lot in the military. It helped mold me into who I am today and I will always be thankful for that.”
Artist Statement: Our inspiration came from Kelly’s sincerity and self-confidence as she shared her experiences. We were struck by so many facets of her story that it was difficult to begin our print, but what we discovered was we could not let go of the above quote. Kelly served as the first person soldiers saw before heading to Iraq or Afghanistan as well as the last person they saw before heading home. In this role, she witnessed many beginnings and endings and connected with so many people. It was very clear to us that Kelly was part of a unique network of support—with her family, her unit, and the thousands of soldiers she met. She grew up with a father in the military and later, she and her three sisters served. While in Kuwait, Kelly met the man that would become her husband. Growth. Beginnings and Endings. Family. These were the concepts that inspired our print. It is an attempt to represent not only a single person, but also those that helped her grow along the way.
*The Sisters
The four prints in this portfolio document the stories of sisters who all served in the military at different times and branches of service. Thus, they will always be sisters in arms as well as sisters in blood. Their father is a veteran as well. As a family unit they have served their country as well as their state. For this, they should be commended.