The Animals of War series came about through numerous conversations with my husband. While I am proud of my service and being a Veteran, I was struggling with the way that that was all that my art was defined by/as. I needed a way to honor that very formative time in my life without it defining me as an artist. I wanted my art to spark conversation, to inform the viewer, and to be fun. I wanted it to be engaging. With this series, I think I’ve accomplished that. The fun and whimsical style of the pieces coupled with the historical references engage even the youngest of viewers if for no other reason than to simply ask “Why does that dog have a pigeon on his back??”