General Quarters-- Checking the Roster

The Muster Sheet is about as old a tradition as the Navy itself.  Accountability and readiness are key in maintaining a fighting ship's effectiveness, and the ships of the US Navy are no exception.

When I was visiting the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) back in September 2015, I got to see several General Quarters drills, and saw each section handle accountability during the drill.

Here, I've depicted two female sailors in charge of a group, checking the roster to make sure all are accounted for.

This is a small oil on canvas, where I used a toned ground and tried to maintain a deftness to the paint application, to keep the sketchy quality to the piece while also rendering realistically.

Refuel At Sea-- Quality Check

Greetings, Navy Art Aficionados and Lovers of All Things Sea-Going...

As you may know, I got the opportunity to go aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) as the ship went through pre-deployment training in September 2015.

One of the fun and exotic things I got to witness was a Replenishment At Sea, wherein the USNS Kanawha pulled up alongside, sent over hoses, and pumped fuel for the HST's aircraft.

I was given a float coat and cranial, and was allowed into Fuel Station 13, where I photographed the sailors working the lines between the ships to bring over the hoses. I also watched the ABF sailors (the Aviation Boatswains Mates - Fuels), a.k.a. "Grapes," test the fuel's clarity and color in a sort of "proof test" in a glass jar, before beginning the fuel transfer...

All the while, the sea is rushing by only a few feet below and between the ships as they maintain their close parallel track. It's something you just don't see every day.

Here is a painting based on that, called, "Refuel At Sea: Quality Check" (subtitle, "Proof Test").

Anchors Aweigh!

Welcome, Art and Navy History lovers out there, to this, my Navy Art blog. On this blog I'll be featuring my Navy art and Navy Art-related things, with an occasional Naval History-related posts.

For the last two years, I've been a Navy Artist, working for the Naval History and Heritage Command.

It's an interesting job, needless to say. As an artist for the Navy, I get to travel around all over the world, see interesting things, meet interesting people, and draw them. Then, I get to bring all the sketches and photos I take on my Navy Art trips home to the studio and realize them in larger-format media:  paintings, drawings, etc..

Here are a few images I've done over the course of the last two years:

From my trip to the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor in October 2014:

"Rosie the Sailor" rolls up her sleeves, preparing to go to work aboard USS Constitution during the ship's turnaround cruise in Boston Harbor, Oct 17, 2014.

"Heave, Ho!" Sailors on Constitution help pull the lines which moor USS Constitution so the ship can get underway on her turnaround cruise in Boston Harbor, Oct 17, 2014.

 

A Sailor in period Navy uniform ("1813s") works a line during the turnaround cruise in Boston Harbor.



A Constitution sailor cleans the salute cannon while returning from its cruise in Boston Harbor, Oct. 17, 2014.

Civilian crewmembers move the salute cannon on USS Constitution after returning to dock Oct 17, 2014.

Here are some sketches and paintings from my second trip, out to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and escort ships USS Gonzalez (DDG-66)  and USS Anzio (CG-68):

 

Captain Ryan Scholl in his chair on the Bridge of the USS Harry S. Truman.

Captain Stefen Walch in his chair on the bridge of USS Gonzalez (DDG-66).

Inside the Central Control Room on USS Gonzalez (DDG-66).

 Meeting of section heads in aviation on board USS Harry S. Truman.

Working the Bow-mounted Sonar aboard USS Gonzalez (DDG-66). 

 ABHC Reggie Barnes in Flight Deck Control verifying the numbers for the upcoming flight cycle on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).

 HM2 Christina Davis working on a patient in Harry S. Truman's Dental department.

 AC2 Stephen Brynes in Approach Control on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).

Truman Air Ops.

 

In Fire Suits during a GQ (General Quarters) Drill on USS Harry S. Truman.

 Fire Drill in Aft DC (Damage Control).

"The Thinker" (a.k.a. "Are We THERE yet?!" or, "Join the NAVY, they said; See the WORLD, they said...")