About

About the Artist | Laurence Kirwan | Military Painter

I must thank Glenn Palmer-Smith for asking me a simple question. "If you like Art so much, why don't you paint?" And so I painted. Full disclosure, Glenn and I are co-grandfathers of two beautiful boys who live in the Hudson Valley with their parents Dimity and Nolan (Glenn's son). I recently asked Glenn for his opinion of my work so far. This was his reply:

Dear Laurence, 

Your work is extraordinary. The vision and execution are wonderful. Truly. I am taking inspiration from your work. Especially your attention to detail. Paint on my friend, paint on!

All the best, Glenn.

To check out Glenn's work , which is truly extraordinary, go to https://www.glennpalmersmith.com/

 

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 the colors and shapes of the caps, helmets, insignia and the medals. And so, I started to paint beginning in July 2025. I was surprised at my own initial success and Glenn cheered me along and praised my work. My partner Lia was and is a tremendous help. She reviews my Art as I create and adds her opinion. Lia encouraged me to ‘go bigger’ and 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 in his New York apartment. 

 

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. 

 

There are other subjects that I also paint: Police Helmets, Fire Helmets and commercial images and American Diner scenes, if they are sufficiently iconic, for example, 'Brasso Wadding' The 'Morton Salt Girl" and Speedy Donuts in Norwalk. 

 "Laurence Kirwan is a plastic surgeon and original military artist behind Art Goes to War. Discover the stories behind his WWII caps, helmest, and insignia paintings."