Stephen H. Randall

US Army Combat Artist Team VII

Field Work. Sketch– felt pen sketch on paper. Farmers worked hard despite the war going on around them.

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I was a combat artist for the US Army in Vietnam in 1968. On some level I still am. But now my passion is plein air painting. I paint what I see, just like then, but now with urgency to finish what I start- in the open and on location. Back then I was given time to reflect on what I’d seen, and then paint with historical insight the people, places and events from my experience. Now I have only a moment to capture the significance of a subject in its light and context. That’s exciting to me, and I am pleased if others can share the same excitement in my paintings. If I have any talent, I am blessed.

This web site gives a quick overview of my work as a combat artist. It posts a list of artists with similar interests, a page of links to related internet sites, references and places; and it offers sketch, painting, and photo galleries from my work in Vietnam and Hawaii for the permanent war art collection of the U.S. Army Center of Military History in Washington, D.C..

I took photos of my art before sending it to Washington where, as far as I know, it’s being kept as a traveling exhibit. I also made copies of some of the photographs I took  on assignment with Army units– especially my time with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, Saigon, and the 5th Special Forces Group, Ban Me Thuot.

If you are, or were, a combat artist, I’d like to hear from you. My plein air artist web link is South Dakota Artists Network.

 

 

Email: srandall1@sio.midco.net