Betsy Batish
  • Home
  • About
    • Accolades
  • Gallery
  • Portraiture
  • Words
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop

bravery. heroism.  and  gunny.

7/14/2014

6 Comments

 
Picture
Yep. That's R. Lee Ermey, a.k.a. Gunny from Full Metal Jacket, and he's standing right in front of my piece, "Known But To God," a black and white photo sublimation on aluminum (Credit to Casey Driver and AV Media for this photo of Gunny shaking hands with a young fan at the opening night reception at Bravery Brewing). I'm a big fan, so I'm pretty stoked about having Gunny and not just one, but two of my photos all in the same place!

This work, along with Redtail Airman (pictured below) were both accepted in to Bravery Brewing's 'Heroism' Juried Art Show, which opened to a standing room only crowd on Saturday night. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the show as I had already made plans for a weekend full of shooting and adventure in the Eastern Sierras (more on that in the next blog), but I'm thrilled to announce that "Known But To God" sold on opening night! So, if you want to get your hands on the Redtail Airman, I'd hightail it down to Bravery ASAP and make it yours (especially since it is at reduced 'show pricing'). These are the only two sublimations on metal that have been done of these particular prints, and I'm not yet sure if I will ever release additional copies to the public for sale. If you're not from around these parts and would like to purchase Redtail Airman, please contact me and I can broker the purchase and shipping for you. 

A huge thank you to Bravery Brewing for putting on this show and for sharing my work with the world. I really can't think of a better theme and I'm so excited to head down to the brewery and check out the show for myself later this week. 

P.S. I love how the sublimation on metal really makes these prints 'pop.' Check it out below. With the Redtail Airman, it looks like the photo is printed on the same metal that awesome P-51  Mustang was made out of! 
Picture
Known But To God

Artist's  Statement

There is perhaps nothing more heroic than to sacrifice your own life so others may be free, and in doing so, to have your name known but only to God. Perched on the cliffs above Omaha Beach, thousands of white marble crosses and stars - many with this inscription - stretch across the green lawns of the Normandy American Cemetery. In August of 2013, I had the unique opportunity to not only photograph this hallowed ground, but to raise and lower the American flag over it in honor of my great grandfather's service to our nation. Never have I been so moved by, nor felt so greatly, the ultimate sacrifice of so many to protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Picture
Redtail Airman
Picture
Redtail Airman - Sublimation on Metal

Artist's   Statement

Often referred to as the 'Redtails' because of the distinctive crimson paint on the vertical stabilizers of their aircraft, the Tuskegee Airmen were determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen. These heroic airmen fought two wars - one against a military force overseas during World War II and the other against racism at home and abroad. Their outstanding record of accomplishment and superb behavior during World War II, and after, were important factors in the initiation of the historic social change to achieve racial equality in America. These were the Tuskegee Airmen - the Redtails - of World War II. Today, the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron carries on their legacy with a rare World War II-vintage P-51C red-tailed Mustang flown at air shows across the country to create interest in the military history of the Tuskegee Airmen who flew similar red-tailed Mustangs. The CAF Red Tail Squadron’s P-51C, piloted by Brad Lang, attended the Los Angeles County Airshow in March of 2014, where this image was recorded. 
6 Comments
Buddy Rice
7/14/2014 01:14:10 pm

Outstanding subject matter and absolutely flawless and unique technique. "Known Only to God" brought more than one tear...

Reply
Betsy Batish link
7/17/2014 08:00:36 am

Thank you! More than a few people have commented that this piece gave them 'goosebumps' when they first saw it.

Reply
Nancy Dingess
7/14/2014 02:40:32 pm

Have been so impressed with everything on your websight, Betsy! It's a privilege to know such a talented photographer and writer!

Reply
Betsy Batish link
7/17/2014 08:01:35 am

Thank you, Nancy! Your kind words mean so much to me!

Reply
Dave Rice
7/16/2014 10:54:23 am

Betsy - What a beautiful and wonderful tribute to our fallen warriors. Let us hope that the world's future generations will be able to understand what "might have been" had not these men made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Reply
Betsy Batish link
7/17/2014 08:02:41 am

Thank you Dave! I never quite understood the sacrifice until I stood in this cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. Let us never forget.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    After years in corporate America, and let's not forget a brief yet memorable stint as a small town mayor's Chief of Staff, this native Arizona cowgirl has moved across the country three times in three years (courtesy of an Air Force fighter pilot who stole her heart) and opened the doors to her own creative studio. This blog chronicles the journey, so pull on your cowboy boots, grab a glass of Zinfandel and come back often to see what's new in my world!

    Archives

    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    Accolades
    California Mustangs
    Juried Shows
    NFPW
    Photography
    Writing

    RSS Feed


Picture
Picture
Picture
Professional member of:
National Federation of Press Women
Arizona Professional Writers
Equine Photographers Network
Copyright © Betsy Batish, LLC, 2014. This website and all related content is copyrighted and may not be reproduced.