ooWhen invited to participate in The Fallen Soldier project it seemed an easy enough commitment to complete one small portrait of an American soldier who had fallen in battle. After a phone interview with Ms. Sherry Moore, I was connected with a young soldier’s photo, namely Jonathan Castro.

ooMy painting process is generally mixed media, but when I started to work on the piece through my usual methods nothing seemed to work. I felt I did not know my subject well enough to create an honest portrait. After a few hours of basic research on the internet, started the portrait process again and through several further attempts, created and completed the portrait.

ooThrough the entire creative process from beginning to completion I gained an inner connection to my subject. The dreams, ambitions and goals of a young American, whose life was taken in battle.

ooAlong with his mother, family and friends, I will never forget Corporal Jonathon Castro who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.