Military Art Work :: Military Art Print :: Medic Giclee Print :: Artist Todd Krasovetz

Artist Todd Krasovetz proudly presents the military art original painting and print series titled 'Wings Of Hope'.

"Wings OF Hope" is the name of the first original oil painting in a series of military art paintings commissioned by the Marine Corps and the Command at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, CA. At present there are a total of 4 paintings that now hang on permanent display at various Marine and Navy bases throughout the US but most can be found in southern California Local artist Todd Krasovetz has completed many commissions for military facilities in the San Diego area to honor military service with contemporary paintings.

The originals are displayed at locations where you can appreciate good illustrations of contemporary military art. These include the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, Naval Hospital at Pershing Field, and William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Krasovetz is an artist with a mission. �I want to capture the importance of actual service and what it provides to the people who are not in the military -- their freedom,� he explains. I try to capture the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie. Krasovetz approach to presenting this vision follows the tradition of great classical artists like Michelangelo and Raphael.

He selects models with real military service to portray scenes that capture the image he wants to portray. He then uses sketches of the different scenes to finalize the composition for a themed painting. If you are in the right place at the right time, you may see this in the San Diego area. Krasovetz has another project on the drawing boards -- a sculpture honoring military service. He also paints individual military portraits in his artists studio in Mission Beach. Krasovetz recommends viewing a 'Wings Of Hope' documentary for which he was interviewed in September 2009. Military art has a long tradition which you can also view in San Diego year round. One of the best collections is at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

These art paintings have become very popular within both the military, there families and the general population. In July of 2001, Todd Krasovetz was first commissioned by the Command at the Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton where the 9' x 8 ' foot oil painting titled wings of hope now hang. Wings of Hope military art painting series proudly commemorates the sacrifices of all of those who serve throughout all branches of the armed forces worldwide.

Painting has more meaning since Sept. 11 RON RAPOSA Staff Writer

CAMP PENDLETON ----- For Todd Krasovetz, doing a painting of a Navy corpsman helping a wounded Marine had special meaning because his own brother is a corpsman. Since last month's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the painting has taken on even more meaning.

"When the painting was unveiled, the impact really hit me because of what happened on Sept. 11," Krasovetz said.

Jamie Scott Lytle / Staff Photographer Todd Krasovetz of Oceanside, whose brother is a Marine, was commissioned to do a portrait of a corpsman helping a wounded comrade that was presented at the last POW/MIA Day at Camp Pendleton.

"Wings of Hope" was unveiled Sept. 21 as the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton marked its 11th annual commemoration of national Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day.

The unveiling came before a group of 100 people, many of them former POWs, who were assembled by a grove of evergreen trees near the Naval Hospital. A large POW/MIA flag fluttered above the ceremony and helicopters flew overhead.

The 4 1/2-by-6-foot oil painting now hangs in the hospital lobby.

"Wings of Hope" shows a Navy corpsman ministering to a wounded Marine while dragging him to safety. In the reflection in a nearby pool, the corpsman has a pair of angel's wings. The Marine still is clutching his automatic weapon.

"It shows the brotherhood between the Marine Corps and the Navy," said hospital spokeswoman Kimberly Prato. "There also is an understanding between Marines that you never leave your weapon behind."

The painting is the first work ever done for POW/MIA Day that was intended to go inside the hospital. Prato has noticed something special about the effect of the painting as it hangs in the lobby of the facility, where people frequently are too busy thinking about treatment to notice their surroundings.

"There are a lot of patients and staff that walk though here," Prato said. "I do notice that people stop and take a moment to look at it. That says a lot."

The 31-year-old Krasovetz, who recently moved to Oceanside from Texas, has been painting for about 10 years. He previously had done abut 200 paintings, many of them on athletes and celebrities.

"Wings of Hope," his first painting with a military theme, was commissioned by the Naval Hospital at Pendleton, where his brother, Scott, is a Navy corpsman. Krasovetz received the commission in June and finished the work in August.

"I've never had the chance to serve my country." Krasovetz said. "This was a chance to dedicate something to the military."

Krasovetz has begun work on a second painting with a patriotic theme. It shows the twin towers, a flag and stars symbolizing those who died there.

His "Wings of Hope" can be viewed at www.toddkrasovetz.com.

Contact staff writer Ron Raposa at (760) 901-4067 or rraposa@nctimes.com.

10/23/01

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