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March Issue 2008
Student at USC - Union in Union, SC, Profiles Artwork from SC Watermedia Exhibit held in Spartanburg, SC, in 2007
Jordan
Nash, a student in an art appreciation class at USC - Union in
Union, SC, has written a profile of the work, Always Faithful,
by David Schuppert, part of the annual exhibit by the South Carolina
Watermedia Society at the Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg,
SC, in 2007. The student's professor, Marshall Calvert,
contacted SCWS to get the artist's address so she could send it
to him. Nash is in the Reserves (Marine) and will be deployed
to Iraq in April.
The following is that paper:
"The painting Always Faithful was created by David Schuppert using the medium of acrylic on paper. It can be seen on display at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The work received the M. Graham and Co. Merchandise Award of 425 dollars. In the illustration, the artist depicts a United States Marine sitting on a bench reading a Bible in a combat zone. He has at his side his M16-A2 service rifle and a Kevlar helmet with an American flag. He is wearing Marine Corps issue desert camis, a bullet-proof flack jacket, and green, 782 gear."
"There are many visual elements in the artwork. The first is line. A predominant horizontal line is immediately noticed as the bench on which the Marine is resting. Horizontal lines represent stability. The artist is trying to portray the stability of the warrior's heart. He is focused on the Bible which is his unwavering faith. This line is implied to connect with the hand of the warrior that is holding the Word of God. A second visual element is that of space. The artist has left a large area of negative space in the upper, left corner of the work. It could easily suggest that the Marine is turning from a feeling of emptiness by reading scripture. The third element that is extremely predominant in the work is the contrast of color. The entire painting has a tanish, brown hue with many colors that are closely related but differ in value. However, there are three main items that the artist wants to stand out to the viewer. They are the flag, the book mark, and the 782 gear on the Marine. Each item is much brighter than the surrounding colors and contrasts with them to focus one's attention to the important meaning of each symbol."
"There are many principles that are used in the artwork that are easily recognized. One is the absence of movement. The picture exudes a very still and calm feeling because everything seems so solemn and motionless. Another principle that can be seen is the repeating patterns in the desert utilities that the Marine is wearing. This pattern is the exact opposite of the woodland camouflage on the Kevlar helmet beside the warrior. It also adds to the validity of the artwork because most Marines possess Kevlar helmets with a woodland camouflage pattern. The Marine Corps does not want to spend the extra money to change the pattern on the helmet. This minuscule detail makes the work have much more authenticity to any Marine that sees the picture."
"When looking at the artwork, the eye is immediately drawn to the Marine and the Bible upon which he is studying. The eye then picks up the familiar image of the United States flag in the helmet. The book mark is red because the artist wants the viewer to realize how important the Bible is to the Marine. The words are what calm the warrior in one of the most difficult struggles of his life. In the midst of battle he is able to separate himself from fear. The flag is behind him to represent what he fights for and to illustrate that he has an entire country on his side. It shows that he is not alone. He is about to face his adversary with the authority of the United States of America in his corner. The eye is also drawn to the bright green 782 gear that the Marine is wearing. This is one of the most important nuances of the entire painting. If the viewer looks closely, he will notice that the warrior does not have a canteen in his pouch. He is holding the key to everlasting life is in his hand, but he does not possess the means to sustain his physical life in the desert environment. Every Marine knows that he is never to be without water. There is no reason that this Marine should not have it. The artist has specifically removed the canteen. He is symbolizing that the Marine is preparing for physical death and a spiritual life for the price of freedom."
"This realistic illustration by Schuppert evokes a sense of pride, duty, and love for one's country. Every Marine wants to be prepared for the day the he could be called upon to die for his country. He wants that sense of calmness and courage to do what needs to be done. If I ever meet that day, I want this picture to be what inspires me."
Jordan Nash - 2007
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