Stripped “In the past, I’ve been at a loss for how to describe these feelings—until I made my mask.” Explore this work
Initial Success or Total Failure "Art therapy, along with other types of therapy, not only helps rebuild what has been broken, but develops a stronger, wiser, better person through healing, therapy, and enlightenment." Explore this work
Untitled (Tomb) Creating art with his fellow service members "was a relief from the stressors and anxiety of work and home life.” Explore this work
What My Brain Needs A Navy Seal with a history of post-traumatic stress chose to sew a pillow from ace bandage fabric and stuff it with soft fibers to symbolize helping his brain to sleep better. Explore this work
Ocean Bird She reflected upon the sense of freedom she felt at the beach and in that moment noted that “you don’t always have to be in control for good things to happen”. Explore this work
"Behind the Mask": Her Name is Testimony “Depression, anxiety, rage, guilt, and shame are not easy topics to discuss; however, these are feelings that I struggle with." Explore this work
Pain Invisible Dedicated to all sufferers of ‘iniquity’, ill-judgement And immeasurable pain naked to the human eye. Explore this work
Memories too Painful to Withstand the Light of Day “Making art without a doubt has worked better for me than any other medication, therapy, or activity in helping me find myself again. Nobody judges me for feeling weak or depressed when I show them the artwork I made to not feel as weak." Explore this work
V-43 Dagger The pommel is made from one of Rodriguez’s sniper cartridges with a piece of 9/11 South Tower Steel protruding from the base of the sniper cartridge. Explore this work
Patriotism Blooms Art of Valor, co-founded by this artist, is an initiative focused on teaching the craft of glass-blowing as a therapeutic outlet for returning veterans. Explore this work
Within (1 of Series) "I wanted a way to show people my interpretation of the invisible wounds of war, and glass provides an unparalleled optical quality to be able to view ‘inside the mind.’" Explore this work
Within (2 of Series) "I wanted a way to show people my interpretation of the invisible wounds of war, and glass provides an unparalleled optical quality to be able to view ‘inside the mind.’" Explore this work
Untitled (Rocket) I intentionally left space ahead blank to represent the change in the road that was before me. Explore this work
The Duality of a Combat Veteran “The dual masks best depict the dichotomy of my personalities and post-combat experiences." Explore this work
SixFeet Down in 60 "I've come to sit with my past and my pain - Held up by comrades beneath me" Explore this work
The Laurels of Weariness This shield represents the soul: “It’s done what it was designed to do. Took the brunt of the impacts, protecting what’s behind it." Explore this work
Destiny A TRIBUTE TO THE MEN WHO SACRIFICED EVERYTHING, THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO CONTINUE TO CARRY THEIR HONOR AND LEGACY, AND THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE PICKED UP THE BROKEN PIECES AND LEARNED TO LIVE ON Explore this work
Traditions Reflected "I like to think my art, whether painted, drawn, or tattooed, will continue to bring comfort and peace not only to myself, but to those I get to share it with." Explore this work
Dear Family "Most importantly, take care of each other. Respect and love each another. That’s what makes our family strong." Explore this work
Lakota "I don’t paint dark stuff like skulls and bleeding hearts or brains falling out. I paint clouds and sunsets. Sometimes a cloud is just a cloud, but sometimes it is a lot more." Explore this work
Remembering the Birds and Heroes of the Past “This painting was inspired by my grandfather. His memory and strength have helped me work through my recovery.” Explore this work
Me and My Monkey "I am the lucky one – against all odds I have discovered happiness in a place cursed by the Gods." Explore this work
Face Without A Name "But if we could start all over Would things be the same? Or would I simply be A face without a name?" Explore this work
One Objective to the Next "an expression of an experience, mentality, and shared understanding..." Explore this work
View from the Lifeguard Stand “These are the pants I saved from my deployment to Afghanistan. I wore them on a day I wasn’t really sure how was going to end." Explore this work
Bloom Where We Are Planted The song lyrics are reflective of the author coming out of the darkness of injury and discovering the light of recovery, which cast a new perspective on his life. Explore this work
Bronze Star The interior of the mask reveals “the evils of war that mortally wounded my soul." Explore this work
Prayer I will now travel down the right path And try to open people’s eyes Past this world and past their problems To finally see the light outside. Explore this work
Untitled-19 He had the idea of picking out images to create a timeline to describe the experiences that had created this sense of self. Explore this work
Untitled-5 A Navy Special Operator created this mask to portray the everyday face that he shows the outer world with contrasting aspects of his identity. Explore this work
What am I Supposed to See/Who am I supposed to Be? "Everyone needs someone or something. I am not what I began to see. No one should have to walk through the fire alone." Explore this work
Contemplation 'Contemplation' captures the essence of our service member struggling to cope with "normal life" after returning home from the horrors endured at war. Explore this work
Soldier Sitting on a Rock (1/2) This is a self-portrait of sorts, depicting a weary soldier taking a moment to rest after a long, hot day at war. Explore this work
My Arms are Wide Open "From a rifle in my hands to a baby boy. From a baby girl in my hands to a rifle, I wore two different hats and lived two lives. My love for two kept me alive." Explore this work
Bridge Drawings with Path (part 1 of 3) What's on the other side of the mountains?" … stay on the bridge and move forward. Explore this work
The Walk On the last day of treatment...he responded, “My work here is done. I can go home now.” Explore this work
Bridge Drawings with Path (part 2 of 3) He was “trusting that there is goodness ahead because …you got to go down or go home.” Explore this work
Bridge Drawings with Path (part 3 of 3) The stop sign represented “not a hard stop, just to make sure we have a plan,” indicating that he is preparing for the path ahead. Explore this work
Untitled-8 This mask, created by an Army soldier, allowed him to explore fear, vulnerability, and the stigma of visible and invisible wounds. Explore this work
The Hulk 'n Me This mask places her calm, feminine side next to her short-fused, angry Hulk-like side. Explore this work
Medication Blues "I’ve got too many pills to take. They make me happy and sometimes I cry. And now I want to sit and sing." Explore this work
Never Alone "This sculpture captures the moment one of our service members has fallen in combat. The angel appeared at that instant to guide him home." Explore this work
The Shock of Death "This mask is the depiction of a traumatic memory by an Army soldier." Explore this work
Harvest Song "Gathering knowledge, gathering strength. Being able to accept change and live." Explore this work
Embossed EGA Leather Stool Music was a gateway for the artist to explore other artistic mediums and, upon retirement, he started leatherworking. Explore this work
Defend and Protect The front is dark, the inside is bright. I live in the bright now. Explore this work