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Brandon Parrish

US Marines

Charcoal Artist

 

Brandon Parrish joined the Marine Corps when he was 20 years old and served for four years.  He worked as a motor transport operator serving three tours in Iraq from 2004 to 2006 as vehicle operator and also a machine gunner with 2nd FSSG from Camp Lejeune in NC.  After returning home, he found himself trying to cope with PTSD.  He was never the type of person who turned to medication when sick or in pain.

 

"After my grandmother passed away after returning from combat, I realized that my grandmother showed me my true medication.  She had always pushed me with my artwork, and it turned out to be a blessing. I now use art as my medication to continue to help me cope with many issues with PTSD.  Artwork became a very easy outlet for me to free up my emotions in a positive way.  I enjoy drawing for others and donating memorial portraits of fallen brothers and sisters to their loved ones. 

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​​​Bernardine “Bernie” Donato

US Navy and California Air National Guard 

Visual Artist

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I am retired with 24 years of military service.  I served in the Navy Nurse Corps for 10 years; then finished my career with 14 years as a tactical C-130 flight nurse in the California Air National Guard.  I deployed twice during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.  

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I worked as an RN for 40 years with more than half those years as an Emergency/Trauma nurse in South Central Los Angeles.  For my third career, I spent eleven years on the streets of Los Angeles as a Reserve Police officer. 

I always had some artistic talent but never had time to develop it. When I retired from my last career in 2013, I took some watercolor painting classes.  I now work in acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, colored pencil, and zentangle.    During my three career fields I experienced multiple traumatic events.  The accumulation of these events put me in a very dark place for a while.  Art is one avenue that has helped me process my PTSD.  Art takes me to calmer places.  It is my space for solitude where I can tune out, unwind, and create. 

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Margaruite "Marzie" Brosseau

Air Force Veteran

Literary & Visual Artist

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Marzie experienced traumatic events during her Military service and began occupational therapy that included creating artwork. Brousseau said she managed to train her brain not to feel fear when she is focusing on her artwork. 

Her inspiration for her visual and literary art comes from what she calls her "Happy Place".  A world of her own creation. When she feels down she would bring herself to her Happy Place in the world where she can do anything she desires. This world is where she would express and process certain events through art. So in a way, she says her Happy Place is a part of her therapy because she it's where she can give herself permission to open up and show this part of herself.

 

Rosemary Turner

US Navy

Literary Artist

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Born and raised in Camden, New Jersey, currently based out of North Carolina; also known as “the Speaker”, is a spoken word poet, recording artist, and entrepreneur. Rosemary draws on her experiences as an African-American woman, Veteran, and mother to create works that touch on issues relating to social, emotional, and spiritual awareness; and the portrayal of the strengths that can surface from the struggles. She began writing poetry as a pastime after retiring from the U.S. Navy; however, her love for storytelling would take on a new path when she wa

s challenged with life altering circumstances. It is then that she would aspire to become a voice for the voiceless. This led to a shift from not only writing, but recording her voice as well. Some of her main influences are the late Al Jarreau, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, and Gil Scott Heron. She also has an appreciation for the hip-hop culture; drawing inspiration from such artists as Common, Lauryn Hill, and Kendrick Lamar to name a few.

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​​​Andrea Tolbert

US Army Veteran

Visual Artist

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My art work inspirations comes from many sources  at the VA. Thanks to their artistic programs, I've rediscovered my first love, the arts. I use art as a way to communicate my emotions and deal with life after the service. Art helps me express my feelings and cope with life after the military. The classes help me bring out the artist hidden inside of me. Along with learning from older and younger veterans from many different wars ( Vietnam War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War). They help me understand my children's ordeal sustained while serving during their tour in the Iraq and Afghanistan.  My greatest inspiration comes from my Mom, Bob Ross (oil) and Clive (Acrylic, Watercolor and Oil)  along with other artists in different mediums. I try many different mediums ranging from Mod Podge to Tracing Techniques until I get the hang of drawing without them. The painting techniques are all me.   

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Nadia Salamea

US Army Veteran

Visual Artist

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I have PTSD and depression, and I like making art because it keeps my mind busy.I am analytical and self-taught.
I don't plan my painting; instead, I let it happen naturally. My inspiration comes from within. I started painting because it challenges and motivates me to make something meaningful by creating an art piece.

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