2019 Art Contest Winners
Theme: “Marines in Flight”
Annual art contest gives students a platform to express their artistic and creative skills as they learn about U.S. and aviation history and the contributions, courage and sacrifices of the men and women who designed, built, flew and maintained these iconic aircraft. The time and effort students put into their entries was evident, making selection of winners difficult.
Winning entries will be on display in the galleries of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum through July, 2020.
Winners of the 2019 art contest:
“Flying in Peace”
Sylvia Paredes, Grade 12, Eastlake High School, Chula Vista
1st Place-High School Division, 2019 Flying Leathernecks Student Art Contest
Media: Watercolor and Marker
Artistic Inspiration:
“The Boeing F/a-18/C/D Hornet began to be used in the United States in 1983, which includes Marine use. This aircraft was considered one of a kind and was adopted extensively through the years making it a more potent as the adaptations advanced. It was innovative when it came to the powerful weaponry associated with it. I wanted to depict this aircraft under a calmer ambiance since around the world, any American defense can be associated with extreme violence. I chose the color blue for the jet as it typically represents tranquility. I also wanted to bring in the influence of local artist, Erin Hanson. She paints beautiful landscapes, many with a warm tone to them, which includes the use of the color peach. I did the ground in peach and purple shadows to bring out the peace I wanted to show.”
Untitled
Jiaying Zhu, Grade 9, Westview High School, San Diego
2nd Place-High School Division, 2019 Flying Leathernecks Student Art Contest
Media: Watercolor, Gouache and Pencil
Artistic Inspiration:
I was inspired to draw the TBM-3E Avenger due to its deeply vibrant and charming physique. When in flight, the plane almost resembles a blue jay, soaring majestically through the sky.
“Clear Skies”
Roma Ghanekar, Grade 11, Poway High School, Poway
3rd Place-High School Division, 2019 Flying Leathernecks Student Art Contest
Media: Acrylic Paint
Artistic Inspiration:
The plane that most interested me was the F9F-2 Panther, and I learned that this plane was in service during the Korean War. I did my research about Korea and I decided to use the islands in that part of the world in my painting. Other than Korea being part of the inspiration to my painting, the United States was my inspiration. The Marines are always loyal—Semper Fidelis—to their country so I wanted to incorporate that by adding the U.S. flag. This is symbolic as the plane in my painting flying towards the pride of the U.S. flag. The fog and excess amount of clouds represent the struggles the Marines battle through their journey. My third and last inspiration is my grandfather. He was not a Marine but a pilot in the Air Force. I learned a lot more about my history and how greatly important and impactful the Marines are in society.
“On a Mission”
Veronika Smolina, Grade 6, Santa Fe Christian School, Solana Beach
1st Place, Middle School Division, 2019 Flying Leathernecks Student Art Contest
Media: Watercolor
Artistic Inspiration:
When I drew the painting I thought about how people sacrificed their lives for our country. Some knew that when they got in the aircraft and left their homes they might never come home again. Learning about Marine airplanes and drawing them made me realize how grateful I am for my peaceful life.
“Marines in Flight”
Stephan Talantov, Grade 6, Del Mar Heights Elementary School, Del Mar
2nd Place, Middle School Division, 2019 Flying Leathernecks Student Art Contest
Media: Colored Pencil
Artistic Inspiration:
My maternal great grandfather and my grandfather were both aircraft designers and I’ve been interested in aircraft from a very early age. I like to study art and sketch so I decided to participate in this competition.
“Fog Machine”
Charlie O’Bryan, Grade 7, Home School Student
3rd Place, Middle School Division, 2019 Flying Leathernecks Student Art Contest
Media: Charcoal and Ink
Artistic Inspiration:
My inspiration behind the art is black/white old photos turned into artwork. I also love WWII nose art on planes. My grandfather, James L. O’Bryan, was a nose gunner in WWII.
Thank You To Art Contest Donors and Judges
The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum gratefully acknowledge the financial support of its education program provided by Major Glenn Ferguson (USMC-retired).
We were fortunate to have as judges four nationally recognized professional artists and illustrators: Gary Johnson, Lee Kromshroeder, Herb Prokse and Robert Watts and gratefully acknowledge the time and expertise they donated to make the program a success.
