An old drawing of mine...

Here's a drawing I did years ago of my brother, Andrew, who was an Amtracker out of Courthouse Bay, from 1984-88.

It was drawn from a photo he sent me, when he was on a WestPac float in 1985. ( I believe it was taken near Mt. Fuji, but I could be wrong).

It is pencil on paper, and isn't too bad, given the fact that it's photographic, and therefore a little stiff.

I felt it was a success, and when my brother sent it to me today, I thought it'd go well on this site.

Gadzooks--I've Been Drafted!!

Mail Call! My "marine-ness" is becoming more a reality every day. One of my combat artist associates sent me these uniform items in the mail, to welcome me aboard and help me get ready to report for duty.







It is like riding a bicycle, as they say, to put on the uniform again. It feels natural; almost like I never got out years ago. The uniforms and equipment have changed a bit since I last served, but the Marine Corps itself remains the same. That is a great thing.

The few changes I see are quite positive. It seems to me the Marine Corps is faster, stronger, and smarter than it was ten years ago. I'm sure it's got to do with the increase in technology, and the vast amount of warfighting experience accumulated since the beginning of the Global War on Terror.

It's good to be a part of it.

"Mwen Se Yon Atis! (Je Suis Artiste)"

Before...

A little background on my art career.

This photo was taken of me in the Spring of 2001, as I was beginning a painting of "Bidonville" in my studio in Fermathe, Haiti.

I spent just over two years as an artist and missionary in Haiti, working for the Baptist Haiti Mission. I taught local artisans and children, and helped supervise the Mountain Maid Craft Outlet at the mission.

It was a wonderful and challenging experience, and I pray it will have prepared me at least a little for the foreign environments I'll find myself in soon. (In Haiti, I saw a lot of poverty, some death, and a little unrest, but I was never shot at--though my wife had armed men point machine guns at her in Port-au-Prince one time...)

I can only hope that a little bit of Chesty Puller rubs off on me, considering he spent several years in Haiti, and tasted his first combat fighting Caco rebels there.

I can only pray also that a little John Singer Sargent rubs of me as well, so I'll be able to do some good watercolor sketches!

I just received orders for training, and I'll post another photo of me when I report, one with me as Marine Artist.

An Introduction

Greetings,

My name is Kristopher Battles. I am a landscape and portrait painter of the Classical Realist school, inspired by the masters of art history as I paint the world around me. (I also consider myself a Romantic Realist, if there can be such a thing).

As of 28 June, 2006 I am Sgt. Kristopher Battles, of the United States Marine Corps Reserve -- soon to be a proud member of the USMC Historical Division serving as a combat artist overseas. This blog will showcase my experiences in the War on Terror as I deploy as a Marine Combat Artist. I will endeavor to show a realistic view of the war through the eyes of one on the ground, while also being truthful to the long, rich history of combat art and the art of picture-making itself.

Semper Fidelis.