Marines on the MEU

I recently had another great opportunity to go out to the fleet and sketch Marines in their natural habitats. Though the trip was part of my job as an artist for the Navy Art Collection, I of course came across Marines on the LHD (USS Bataan, LHD-5), training for an upcoming deployment with the 24th MEU. These are modest and few, but I thought it'd be appropriate to post them here in this venue.  It's all about the sketchpad, after all-- drawing what you see on location.

In the next month or two, I will have completed several full-color oil paintings and sketches based on what I saw on board the Bataan.  Stay tuned!

Sketching in the Cool Spaces, continued...

 Here are more sketches from my time on board the USS Harry S. Truman:

In the Ready Room for VFA-143, The Pukin' Dogs.

 In Flight Deck Control in the island.

 

Another cool place on board was called the Smoke Pit (Reminds one of the phrase, "The Smoking Lamp is Lit")!

Sketches and the Cool Spaces on a Carrier

Last year, I was blessed to be able to sketch on board a US Navy vessel -- Specifically, the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). What a privilege it was, to see so many people and sites aboard the floating city, and to be able to sketch what I had the good fortune to see.
I sketched continually, and was escorted by good people around the ship, showing me all the cool spots, where interesting Navy stuff was happening.

Here are a few of the sketches I did:

F-18 in the hangar bay.

 On the bridge.

The Captain in his chair (Capt Ryan Scholl)

Primary Flight Control ("Pri-Fly") .

Damage Control: Always Vigilant

While on board the Harry S. Truman last year, I got to witness a common but very important training event, conducted by the crew-- a GQ Drill (General Quarters). 

"General Quarters" is regularly sounded to keep the crew sharp, and on their toes, ready for any contingency. Every crewman has a duty station when this happens, and they all rush to their battle stations, put on their gear, and do drills. It's a very interesting thing to watch, and it makes you admire the efficiency and teamwork the Navy engages in with every sailor and section on board a naval vessel.

 Getting geared up fast for fire control...

 

"Fire Drill in Aft D.C." 2015, oil on canvas, 20" x 24"