As a Plastic Surgeon, I always appreciated Art and drew and painted before I went to Medical School. During my busy Plastic Surgery practice, I had little time to indulge in creating Art. Then in early 2025, my son-in-law’s father, Glenn Palmer-Smith, who is a commercially successful and talented artist in his own right, asked me why I never painted since I loved Art. My answer was that I never wanted to be mediocre at anything and saw no reason to make copies of Art which had already been uniquely rendered. No one wants to see my version of Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’. But I had also never found a compelling subject that I wanted to own. I didn’t want to be just another “dabbler” who made convincing copies of the Great Masters or even great original landscapes or portraits. I wanted a ‘signature’ style of my own.
When I researched and wrote a book, now available on Amazon, about my family’s service in the two World Wars, I fell into a 'trench' of Military Uniforms and Insignia and was mesmerized by colors and shapes and iconography. And so, I started to paint in July 2025. I was surprised at my initial success and Glenn cheered me along and praised my work. My partner Lia was and is a tremendous help. She insisted on using acrylics rather than oil paints, a decision that not only makes for a cleaner less toxic work space, but also allows for rapid changes. Lia refuses to be called a Muse. She reviews my Art as I create and adds her opinion. Lia has encouraged me to ‘go bigger’ as well as to paint more canvases so that I could create a ‘body of work.’ My first commission was for Sebastian, my son, who now has a framed 30” by 40” painting of the iconic Royal Air Force Pilot-Officer Visor Cap from WW2, on the living room wall of his New York apartment. I continue to paint when I am not operating.
Why paint Caps and Medals?
For good or bad, Caps and Insignia endow the wearer with an identity and presumed powers beyond their individual selves. The soldiers of World War Two reminded me of a time when America and Europe had a common goal to eradicate evil empires and create the post-war peace. Not a vision of power balanced on quid-pro-quo' transactions.
There are other subjects that I also paint, such as Police Helmets and Fire Helmets that identify the wearers who put themselves in harm’s way for the good of the civil population. Commercial images are also represented if they are sufficiently iconic, for example, the Great British 'Brasso Wadding' can and the 'Morton’s Salt" girl from 1968. I hope you enjoy my artistic view!
Paintings, photographs and even photographs of paintings are available on this web site. Custom sizes of photographs are available, framed and unframed. Commissions are accepted for paintings. Prices depend on the size and subject.
0 comments