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Virtual Art Gallery

This virtual gallery represents all of the artwork we’ve published. Please, take the time to appreciate what our military men and women are capable of as artists. If you’re interested in more information about any of the works, view them in their original form in the journal in which they were first published.

Click on any of the images below to upon the interactive carousel:

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“Own Worst Enemy” by Travis L. Martin
The Barrel of Diplomacy
Giuseppe Pellicano / Bye My Darling / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Robin Brooks / Cold War June / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Ron Whitehead / Can’t Sleep / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Steve Smith / Hillis of Vietnam / Military Experience and the Arts
Patrick Sargent / Moments 2 / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour”/ Scott Martinez / Colored Pencils on Paper
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Surrender / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Jessica Dittbenner / Media War / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“An Oath Fullfilled (Photographic Series)” | Darren Lapsley
Luke Manuel / Sketch for CMOC / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
“Night Run Through Hero’s Hallway” / David Eckerson
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Lonely / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Thomas Dang / CLAYmore Flask / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Disabled
“USMC Buckle”
Matthew Foley / Sketch for My Life as a Soldier in the War on Terror / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
“Free” / Amy Oestreicher
“War and Nature: Memorial Water Vines”
Title: “An Oath Fulfilled (Photographic Series)” Artist: Darren Lapsley Size of work: Grid of four digital photographs Medium of work: Digital photography on archival paper Artist’s statement: “An Oath Fulfilled (Photographic Series)” is a visual extension of Darren Lapsley’s original self-portrait. In this series, Lapsley explores the invisible and shifting emotional states associated with post-traumatic stress. The original artwork remains grounded in the background, while the artist’s own blurred, semi-transparent figure appears in the foreground, moving through postures that represent anxiety, depression, and emotional disconnection. The sequence builds toward a final moment of clarity and pride, signifying resilience and the ongoing journey of healing. Lapsley’s ghost-like presence speaks to the feeling of invisibility that often accompanies mental health struggles, particularly within the veteran community. This work highlights the transient and cyclical nature of pain while making visible the internal battles many endure. Through this series, Lapsley offers a powerful tribute to survival, self-expression, and the healing power of creative process. Bio: Darren Lapsley is a Detroit-based multidisciplinary artist, Marine Corps combat veteran, and advocate for holistic healing through creative expression. His work explores themes of identity, trauma, and resilience, using art as both a therapeutic process and a form of storytelling. Darren’s practice is rooted in his own healing journey and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of veterans and others navigating unseen wounds.
Bryan S. Reinholdt / Reduce(d), Reuse(d), Recycle(d) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Reenlistment” by Melany Sarafis
Timothy Chiasson / Rest, My Friend, I’ll Take Watch from Here / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Babyface / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Patrick Sargent / Reveille / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Memorial Day 2014 / Military Experience and the Arts
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for An Excerpt From My Adventures in Iraq / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Michael Dooley / Frustration / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Luke Manuel / Sketch for My Military Life / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Tif Holmes / Invisible War / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Jerad W. Alexander / SAW / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Peepshow” by Gabriel Tolliver
“Lonely Boy” | Lisa Rotarius “GEEK”
Gregory Gieske / Yankee / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Eyes / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for A Long Day Looking Back / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Andrew Godin / Vines on a Bombed Out House / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Tif Holmes / Colors / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Jessica Dittbenner / LOve AnD WaR / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Battle Patrol” | Ray Richmond
Gregory Gieske / Memories / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for I Don’t Want to Be a Soldier Today / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Gregory Gieske / Progress / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Boozer / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Demons of War Are Persistent / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Stephen K. McCall / In the Shadow of Death / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Tibor Rubin” | Dmitry Borshch
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for They Also Serve / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for A Defining Moment in Time / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Poppyfields” by Gabriel Tolliver
Matthew Foley / The US Island / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
“The Fight” | Lisa Rotarius “GEEK”
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for The One They Left Behind / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Matthew Foley / Illumination of the Post-War Mind / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
“Boys Don’t Cry” | Brandie Dziegiel
Gregory Gieske / Fighting the Demons / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Michael D. Fay / Maj. Robert Farrell, C.O. of Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Marine Regiment / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Aaron Hughes / Iraq Triptych (5) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Giuseppe Pellicano / Oh Happy Day / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Engine Trouble / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for What the News Didn’t Tell You / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Jessica Dittbenner / Jihad Jihad / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Vampire Lust
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Up the Road a Piece / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Paintings Live Nation / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Illustration by Michael Sutherland
“Remembering” by Ron Whitehead
Tif Holmes / (Self) Portrait of a Savior / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Iris Madelyn / (un)clothed and in her right mind / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“The Tempest” | Wayne David Hubbard
Stephen K. McCall / First In, Last Out / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Steve Beales / Band of Brothers / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Olympus Mons Hotel” / Seth Lombardy
Steve Beales / In Times of War & Uncertainty / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Luke Manuel / Sketch for My Bosnian Deployment / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Platoon
Ehren W. A. Tool / 209 of Thousands / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Gregory Gieske / Self Portrait / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Micah Owen / Sketch for Put the Truck in Gear in and Drive / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
“Viking Ship” by Brian Ferrand
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Spitfire / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Wounded”
“The Bluffs” | Gary Smith
Matthew Foley / Sketch for When Identities / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Witch Hunts of the Military / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Ron Whitehead / New Enemy / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
“Deployment” by Melany Sarafis
Ron Whitehead / Still Serving / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Thomas Dang / Grenade Range 2 / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for The Thirty Six Hour Patrol / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“A Heads-Up Dream for Peace” | Amy Bassin and Mark Blickley
Victor C. Juhasz / SGT. Joseph Dietzel 2 / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Retirement” by Melany Sarafis
“War Concentration Camp” | Santiago Ribeiro José Manuel
Tif Holmes / Purification / The Blue Falcon Review, Vol. 1
"Disasters of War in East Ukraine" | Dmitry Borshch
“Disasters of War in East Ukraine” | Dmitry Borshch
Vets
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Afghan Girl / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Hounds of Hell / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Joy Parrish / Sketch for The 51st Trans Co MRE Recycling Center / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Luke Manuel / Sketch for My Medication Problems / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Aaron Hughes / Iraq Triptych (4) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“On the Way” | Jenifer Follman
Ron Whitehead / Brothers / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Tif Holmes / Listen to Me / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Steve Smith / Bomb Tech / Military Experience and the Arts
Giuseppe Pellicano / Left. Left. Left, Right, Left / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Victor C. Juhasz / Afghanistan Catching Some Sleep in Transit / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“War and Nature: Bataan Shadows”
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Occupy Officer / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Autumnal Death (Arlington National Cemetery” | Christine Stoddard
Michael D. Fay / Setting in the Barbed Wire / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Find Another Word for Guilt – Pride” | Michelle Cyr
“Master Diver” by Brian Ferrand
“Camouflage”
“OSI Bucket Brigade” by Anthony Stencel
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Not Alone / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Erica Slone / An Unfit Effect / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Karen M. and Anthony C. / The Sorrow / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Sucks to Be Them” | Morgane Xenos
“Tower Two” | J.G.P. MacAdam
Ron Whitehead / Rear View / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Giuseppe Pellicano / Masked Memories / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Drew Cameron / Portraits / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Helo Girl” | Scottie Kersta-Wilson
Steve Beales / A Tribute to Our Heroes / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“The Price of Freedom”
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Dear America / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Timothy Chiasson / Outside the Wire / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Michael D. Fay / Counter Sniper Fire, Patrol Base Karma, 3rd Battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Twenty-Three And Angry / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Ron Whitehead / Lookin Forward / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
“Highway 80 – The Day After” | Harry James
Giuseppe Pellicano / Tea Time / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Perceived Threat, Real or Imagined” | Darrell Black
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for The Great Military Adventure / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Ehren W. A. Tool / 209 of Thousands (2) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Veteran” by Melany Sarafis
Aaron Hughes / Iraq Triptych (2) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Steve Smith / Lucky / Military Experience and the Arts
“Oil Fire at Dawn” | Harry James
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for The Battlefield / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Tif Holmes / War / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Cabin After a Mission” / David Eckerson
“Water Broke” | Amy Bassin and Mark Blickley
Zombie Snacks
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for VA Hospital / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Nec Metus de Morte / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Michael Dooley / Subtlety / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Matthew Foley / Sketch for Mama I’m Coming / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Victor C. Juhasz / Kirkland AFB Pararescue (Search and Rescue Exercise) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Steve Beales / In Duty Comes Honour & Excellence / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Tif Holmes / Rise Up / The Blue Falcon Review, Vol. 1
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Highway to Hell / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“PTSD and the Art to Deal with It” by Joseph Gelissen
“The Torpedo” | Michael Thompson
“Fakarava Shores” | Travis Weaver
Matthew Foley / Sketch for One Night in Iraq / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Aaron Hughes / Iraq Triptych (3) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Psychotic Order, NOS
Skip Rohde / Lament / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Masked Truth / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Matthew Foley / Sketch for An Epiphany / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
“B-Boy” | Mario Loprete
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Not Our Day to Die / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Victor C. Juhasz / SGT. Joseph Dietzel 1 / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Warrior Angel”
“Here Is My Church; I Sing in the Choir” | Bryce Hansen
“Hero Hallway, Balad, Iraq” / David Eckerson
Jessica Dittbenner / Deployment Sketches / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Vet with Pencil” | Tim Hildebrandt
Suliman El-Amin / Adjusting / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Andrew Godin / Easter in Croatia / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Taking Okinawa: U.S. Marines” by Jose DeHoyos
Tif Holmes / Untitled (1) / The Blue Falcon Review, Vol. 1
“John Wayne” | Ray Richmond
Aaron Hughes / I Remember Standing There / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Michael D. Fay / In the Shadow of the Poppy Harvest / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Singing the Draft Board Blues / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Knocking Off Early” | Mary Senter
Ron Whitehead / Oil Fields / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Thomas Dang / Grenade Range 1 / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Anna Kestava / Wasteland / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Smoke and Mirrors” by Ron Whitehead
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Worldview” | Tim Hildebrandt
Matthew Foley / Illumination of the Mind at War / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Anna Kestava / Lost / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Aaron Hughes / Iraq Triptych (1) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Occupy Soldier / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“The Road Between” | David Holmes
Tif Holmes / Untitled (2) / The Blue Falcon Review, Vol. 1
Ron Whitehead / Dog Tags / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
“Hidden Thoughts” by Ron Whitehead
“Warrior” | Donna Zephrine
Steve Beales/ Reginam et Patriam Tuendam / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Tif Holmes / Prisoner of War / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Wall and Trench”
Bryan S. Reinholdt / Rethink, Remove, Refuse / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Pacific Overcast” | Erik E. Gize
Skip Rohde / Warrior / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Ron Whitehead / Stay Focused / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Victor C. Juhasz / Combat Control Exercise / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Jessica Dittbenner / Pilot / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“People, Places, and Things” by Gabriel Tolliver
“Abandon All Hope” | Lisa Rotarius “GEEK”
Andrew Godin / The Wicked Web We Weave / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Tif Holmes / Lost / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for Together / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Aaron Hughes / Road Stop / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Birka / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“An Oath Fulfilled” | Darren Lapsley
Matthew Foley / Sketch for Route Georgia / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Patrick Sargent / Moments / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Matthew Foley / Illumination of the Pre-War Mind / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
Cathedral Head
“Welcome My Son, Welcome to the Machine” | Brandie Dziegiel
Ron Whitehead / Sacrifice / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Clayton Murwin / Sketch for The Bear That Stands / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Michael D. Fay / Laying Out a Patrol Base, Nawa District, 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Marine Regiment / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Steve Beales / Remember Their Sacrifice / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Occupy Gas Mask / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Jessica Dittbenner / Pink Tom / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“O’ Dark Thirty” | Tim Hildebrandt
Steve Smith / EOD / Military Experience and the Arts
Thomas Dang / CLAYmore Flask / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“In the Storm” | Edward Supranowicz
“Memories” by Ron Whitehead
Ron Whitehead / Hand / The Veterans’ PTSD Project
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Free / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“MKV Diving Helmet” by Brian Ferrand
“Normandy” | Gary Smith
“The Plight of Man” | Brandie Dziegiel
Steve Beales / Hope & Fear / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Giuseppe Pellicano / Left. Left. Left, Right, Left (2) / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Tif Holmes / Self Inflicted / The Blue Falcon Review, Vol. 1
“Convoy at Night” | Harry James
“Soldier of Misfortune”
“Mask” | Lisa Corrigan
“Broken”
Jessica Dittbenner / Through It / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Blindfold / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“Thoughts” by Joseph Gelissen
Title: “Portrait of a Military Spouse” Artist: Jennifer McKeen Rodrigues Medium: Photography Artist Statement: This “self-portrait” is influenced by the obscure street photographer Vivian Maier. The picture was taken in downtown Kansas City, MO, not at all a military town. It’s been given its title because I’ve obscured myself as a military spouse; it’s hard living this way of life when I don’t identify with the perceived role. I also feel it captures the feeling that mil spouses are very overlooked within the command and within society. But we can all do better for our military families. Bio: Jennifer McKeen Rodrigues currently lives on the sacred Powhatan land of Fairfax, VA. She is trained as a certified yoga therapist & trauma informed yoga teacher, is a Reiki healer, military spouse, & mother to a creative daughter. She has been published in The Muleskinner Journal, tiny frights, Amethyst Review, and The Martello Journal as either poet or photographer. She is currently polishing her memoirs for publication about the rare bone marrow disorder she survived during her childhood & teenage years.
“Portrait of a Military Spouse | Jennifer McKeen Rodrigues
“Hunter or Hunted?”
Ron Whitehead / Untitled / Blue Nostalgia: A Journal of Post-Traumatic Growth
Stephen K. McCall / Nalepa / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
“A Veteran’s Ride” / Dean Glorso
Karen M. and Anthony C. / Occupy Chem Warfare / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2
Patrick Sargent / The Corps / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“A Daughter Returns: Fading Cinnabar” | Scottie Kersta-Wilson
“Airborne Buckle”
Gregory Gieske / Blue and White Devils / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
Andrew Godin / Mortars Under Tree / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Fade to Green” by Travis L. Martin
“The Pillbox” | Gary Smith
Michael Dooley / Friends / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Before the Fall” | Nichole Montgomery
Bleeding Red, White and Blue
Anna Kestava / Homeland Defense / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 3
“Collateral Damage” | Donald Guadagni
Tears of Blood
Luke Manuel / Sketch for And Justice / The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 1
“Doctor Kissinger” | Dmitry Borshch
“Governors Island” | Carla Nagler
“The TEWT (Tactical Exercise without Troops)” | Paul Riley
Tif Holmes / Abstract Digital Painting No. 1 / The Blue Falcon Review, Vol. 1

Who We Are

Military Experience and the Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is to work with veterans and their families to publish short stories, essays, poems, and artwork in our biannual publication, As You Were: The Military Review, periodic editions of Blue Nostalgia: The Journal of Post-Traumatic Growth and others. To the best of our ability, we pair each author or poet that submits work to us with a mentor to work one-on-one to polish their work or learn new skills and techniques.

Our staff is based all over the country and includes college professors, professional authors, veterans’ advocates, and clinicians. As such, most of our services are provided through email and online writing workshops.

All editing, consultations, and workshops are free of charge. Veterans and their families pay nothing for our services, and they never will.

Under our Publications tab, there are more than two dozen volumes of creative work crafted by veterans and their family members as well as a virtual art gallery. Our blog posts feature short pieces that cover a wide range of opinion editorials, literary reviews, and profiles on veteran artists and writers.

Please consider spending some time navigating our site and reading and seeing the fine work of veterans and their families from around the globe.

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