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380AEW Article

Barriers no obstacle to art

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
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 of 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 previous deployment 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."

Federick, 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 continue to serve as 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.