Artist creates patriotic mural for VFW post
A large bald eagle, its wings emblazoned with the red, white and blue colors of the American flag, can be seen swooping down the side of Hot Springs VFW Post 2278’s new building, courtesy of local artist Gary George.
The mural, near the front entrance of the veterans organization’s new headquarters at 660 E. Grand Ave., also has patriotic quotes such as “Freedom isn’t free” and “We salute the Armed Forces,” surrounding the eagle.
George did the painting for free, volunteering his services for several reasons, he said, the first being “to do something for the veterans” and give them a better place.
“If you walk in there and have a beer” with the veterans, you may see “people (who) don’t have arms, legs, in a wheelchair,” he said. “They need a place to go and relax.”
George said he also created the mural to help lift the spirits of Americans, noting “America is going through rough times right now,” and the painting can “give them a little bit of hope.”
“America is in a tough spot right now, and I thought this bird would help,” George said.
George said the mural is about
5 feet by 6 feet. He noted he used putty on the wings “to make a 3D effect.”
The project took George around 30 hours to paint, he said, noting he spent five days working on the wall, starting each day at
5:30 a.m., working earlier in the day before it got too hot.
George said while he was painting it, people would often honk at him and he thinks they were honking “for what I was doing.”
Post Commander Harry Davis said he liked how the mural turned out.
“(George) approached us, we picked a space for him and said go for it,” Davis said. George showed the members what he wanted to paint, Davis said, and they decidThe
ed what would work on the side of the building.
“I think it’s beautiful,” Davis said, “It looks very nice, great job. We’re very pleased with it.”
The VFW purchased the building in November, and Davis said they are getting ready to start phase two of the building in the next month. George said the paint he used was donated by Warehouse Paint Co., noting, “I don’t know if I could have done it” without the donation.