SOUTHWEST ASIA --
This is the last in a series of three stories featuring
the artwork displayed on base at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest
Asia. In this final installment, Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson interviewed
the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Airman responsible for painting
his squadron's identity on a barrier located near the base flightline.
Air Force Staff
Sgt. Quentin Fedrick has left his mark twice on the 380th Air Expeditionary
Wing at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.
Fedrick, an
aircraft fuels system mechanic and talented artist during his off-duty hours, was
selected to paint a mural on a barrier located near his squadron flightline
tent after his supervisors noticed the quality of his artwork.
A first-time
visitor to the base will notice squadron identities painted on many of the
large rocks or barriers located on base. The addition of logos, caricatures and
military symbols to the rocks and barriers have turned the artists’ plain gray
canvases into meaningful and colorful expressions of squadron pride.
The mural he
created on the barrier features a “Mad Hatter” theme that was borrowed from the
classic Alice in Wonderland book.
“They gave me an
image and said this was what they wanted on the barrier,” said Fedrick. “I
approached them with some ideas and asked for a little bit of creative freedom
to have something that will “pop” and something that everyone could be proud
of."
This was the second barrier mural the artist had designed and painted for the wing. He created art
for another barrier located near the base flightline during a previousdeployment to the 380th AEW in 2008.
No stranger to working
with military art, Fedrick has designed patches and coins for squadron members
in addition to having painted four murals for his fellow Airmen working in the
fuels shop back at his home unit of RAF Lakenheath, England.
Fedrick agreed that
the artwork he created will have a lasting impact on future rotations of Airmen
assigned to the 380th AEW long after he has redeployed home.
“It makes me feel
really good because when I first came in I would see this type of art painted
on the wall,” said Fedrick. “That made me feel really good about being at work
and I wanted to have a chance to provide that feeling for someone else.”
Fedrick, who has no
formal training in art and is a self-taught artist, enjoys being able to share
his artistic talent with others.
“I just draw on my
own and try to use my skills and take opportunities like this to develop my
artistic ability,” said Fedrick. “That’s who I am. Every opportunity I have I’m
drawing and trying to get better.”
Fedrick said he has
enjoyed his deployment to the 380th AEW and is looking forward to possibly returning
to the wing again someday to create another piece of art that will only add to his
legacy. He is proud to know his artwork helps to instill pride and increase
morale for the members of his unit.
“It makes me feel
like I’m a part of the history of this place,” said Fedrick.