John Thamm Studios

VETS: 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories

2011-01-20T23:02:00.000-08:00

$19.95
plus tax

Please call or email.
We will ship to your door.

Call 509-868-7434
Email: pinklloyd2@msn.com

"Vets: 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories" is a memorable collection of images and stories as told by veterans spanning WWII to the war in Iraq.
“…after slowly pouring through this remarkable collection of portraits and personal stories… I realized why there is this connection, this brotherhood, this sense of automatic bonding with other veterans that makes being a veteran something special. We may have served in different eras, in different services, in different units, in different countries, in combat or not in combat, in a hot war or a cold war, but the bond somehow holds us together.” Paul Quinnett PhD-clinical psychologist and author of Suicide:The Forever Decision.

Press Release-Vets Reception July 16-Noon-4pm

2010-07-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

News Release

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2010
Contact: Kathleen Thamm
Phone: (509) 688-3757
VETS Project blogsite: HYPERLINK "http://johnthammstudios.blogspot.com" http://johnthammstudios.blogspot.com


Local veterans featured in newly released book “Vets: 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories” gather for public reception

Spokane, WA– Join the veterans featured in the book and portrait project: “Vets: 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories”, for a reception Friday, July 16, 2010, Noon.-4 p.m. at Centerplace 2426 N. Discovery Place in Spokane Valley.
Area veterans who served their country from World War II to Iraq will gather at Centerplace in Spokane Valley to celebrate the release of the book by area artist John Thamm: “VETS: 50 Portraits of Veterans and their Stories.” This project began two years ago when Thamm wanted to volunteer at the VA Medical Center. The VA gave him permission to set up an easel in the waiting room and he began painting portraits of the veterans who came there for their medical appointments. As each man asked to be painted, John would listen to their story and soon decided that he should publish a book that included the veteran’s portrait and their story.
Most of the veterans featured in the book live in Spokane and Stevens Counties, Northern Idaho, and as far away as Umatilla, Oregon. Vernon Baker from St Maries, Idaho, recipient of the US Army Medal of Honor and author of the book: “Lasting Valor” is one of the featured veterans. Many of the veterans will be signing the books and sharing their stories.
Paul Quinnett-clinical psychologist in Cheney Washington says in the forward of the book: “It was only after slowly pouring through this remarkable collection of portraits and personal stories in “Vets” that I realized why there is this connection, this brotherhood, this sense of automatic bonding with other veterans that makes being a veteran something special…I stand in awe of the things that these veterans have seen and done, lived through, endured, survived and yes, even conquered.”
John Thamm lives in Spokane Washington and teaches portrait workshops in the United States and Germany. A graduate of the University of Idaho with a masters of fine art degree he studied portraiture at the Art Students League in New York City. Thamm has been a courtroom sketch artist for television and newspaper media including KREM, KXLY, the Spokesman-Review, CNN, ABC and the Associated Press. The project “Vets” is featured on KSPS in Northwest Profiles.

Book signing and Veteran Celebration

2010-07-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

JULY 16 from Noon-4pm
For all veterans and those who support veterans. . .

You are invited to a celebration of the release of

"Vets: 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories"

Enjoy the portraits, meet some of the veterans, see the book.

Spokane Valley Senior Citizens Association and ChangePoint Spokane

are hosting this book signing reception for the veterans featured in the “VETS” book.

Meet the artist, John Thamm, and many of the local veterans whose stories are in the book.

Please bring your family and friends to celebrate.

Friday, July 16
Noon - 4pm
Centerplace - 2426 N. Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216

For more information or to purchase a book, please call John Thamm at 509-868-7434.
John Thamm, 11 S Washington,Spokane, WA 99201

"Vets" 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories" is here!

2010-06-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

"VETS: 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories" is available to purchase for $19.95 plus shipping and handling.
To order: email pinklloyd2@msn.com and send your name, mailing address, phone number and John Thamm will contact you to make arrangements for payment and shipping.
Or stop by the J.F. Thamm Gallery at 11 S. Washington St., Spokane, WA to view the original oil paintings, purchase a book and meet the artist John Thamm.

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30am-5:00pm or by appointment
(509) 868-7434

"Vets: 50 Portraits of Veterans and Their Stories" is a memorable collection of images and stories as told by veterans spanning WWII to the war in Iraq.
“…after slowly pouring through this remarkable collection of portraits and personal stories… I realized why there is this connection, this brotherhood, this sense of automatic bonding with other veterans that makes being a veteran something special. We may have served in different eras, in different services, in different units, in different countries, in combat or not in combat, in a hot war or a cold war, but the bond somehow holds us together.” Paul Quinnett PhD-clinical psychologist and author of Suicide:The Forever Decision.

John F. Thamm lives in Spokane, Washington. He teaches portrait workshops in the U.S., Mexico, Netherlands and Germany and has a Masters of Fine Art degree from the University of Idaho. John studied portraiture at the Art Students League in New York City. John has been a courtroom sketch artist for television and newspaper media including CNN, ABC, Associated Press, KREM, KXLY and the Spokesman Review. Notable trials he has covered are the Weaver-Harris Ruby Ridge Trial, Branch Davidian-Waco Trial, and the Aryan Nations Trial in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. You can view John’s work at the J.F. Thamm Gallery, 11 S. Washington St., Spokane. “Vets” is featured by the local PBS station-KSPS in the November 2009 Northwest Profiles series. The project can be viewed on the “Vets” project blogsite- http://johnthammstudios.blogspot.com/

Vets is a large 8-1/2 X 11 format on high quality archival text. All 50 Portraits are full color images of John’s original oil paintings. A total of 162 pages contain portraits, interviews and commentary.

VERNON BAKER - US ARMY AIRBORNE

2009-10-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

First Lieutenant

World War II

US ARMY MEDAL OF HONOR

PURPLE HEART

BRONZE STAR

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

Date of Service

1941-1968

ST MARIES, ID

Secretary Shinseki visits Spokane

2009-07-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

Secretary Shinseki made a quiet visit to the Veterans Outreach Office at SNAP in downtown Spokane on Monday morning, July 13th at 7:30. Staff from the Spokane Veteran's Medical Center were given awards and he unveiled John's painting for the 29th Annual Veterans Wheelchair Games.

He is pictured here speaking to the small group wearing a camoflage colored lei given to him by the staff at the outreach office.

Secretary Shinseki congratulates Brent King

2009-07-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

As John looks on, Secretary Shinseki shakes the hand of Brent King to thank him for all he has done for Veteran athletes in Spokane.

The painting is behind a white cloth on the right side of this picture.

The painting is unveiled to Secretary Shinseki

2009-07-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

Kathy and John look on as Secretary Shinseki views the painting for the first time.

Brent King poses in front of the painting

2009-07-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Brent King poses for a photograph in front of the painting that John completed of him for the 29th Annual Wheelchair Games. Sharon Hellman, director of the Veterans Medical Center in Spokane Washington is on the right. Kathy and John Thamm are to the left.

Painting commemorating the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Spokane

2009-07-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned by the Veterans Medical Center in Spokane Washington to do a painting for the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games hosted in Spokane . Brent King, a local competitor gave me permission to paint him for this piece.

The painting, an oil on canvas, measures 4 ft. x 4 ft. The lettering is gold metallic.

"VETS" Portraits of 50 U.S. Veterans

2009-05-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

Vets

I was born October 21, 1937, the day Mussolini invaded Ethiopia. Since that date I have lived through five major wars and several minor wars that involved the USA. I joined the Naval Air Reserve when I was a junior in High School. This reserve unit was activated in 1961 as a result of the Berlin crisis. I spent a year at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station in California.

This book came about because of a letter to the editor written by a veteran who volunteered at the VA Hospital in Spokane, WA. The thrust of his letter was an appeal for more volunteers. For some time I had wanted to express my thanks and appreciation to the veterans who had made sacrifices in the above mentioned wars. So this letter to the editor triggered the idea for this book.

Since I have been a working artist for most of my life, I decided to do a book of veteran portraits. For several months I’ve been working on this project at the Spokane VA Hospital and have completed 50 of these portraits. Included with each portrait will be a biographical interview of the veteran and in some cases a photo in uniform. Each veteran will be asked to sign a photo release form if they choose to take part in this project.
The title of the book is “Vets”.

John Thamm

Al Pratt in Motion

2008-11-19T17:26:00.000-08:00

Click on arrow to view this video of a painting of Al Pratt

starting from blank canvas to finished portrait

ALLAN R. PRATT - US ARMY

2008-11-19T17:09:00.000-08:00

Private First Class
Date of Service 1956-1958

HOPKINTON, MA

ARCHIE STALEY - US ARMY AIR FORCE

2008-11-09T18:55:00.000-08:00

First Lieutenant World War II

MEDICAL LAKE WASHINGTON

DAVID NORDBY - US NAVAL AIR

2008-11-02T21:25:00.000-08:00

E-5
Date of Service
1954-1962
ST GEORGE, UTAH

TOM McGLAUGHLIN - US ARMY

2008-09-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

TOM McLAUGHLIN
Private 1st Class
US ARMY

DEER PARK, WA

Date of Service
1954-1957

BEN CABILDO - US ARMY

2008-09-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

BEN CABILDO
Spec-5 Sergeant
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA

Vietnam

JOHN E. KOZOL - ARMY CORPS of ENGINEERS

2008-09-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

JOHN E. KOZOL
Staff Sergeant
ARMY CORPS of ENGINEERS

SPOKANE, WA
Korea

RAY US ARMY

2008-09-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

RAY
Private
US ARMY

LEGGET, CA
Vietnam

WILLIAM GOLDFOOS - US ARMY AIR FORCE

2008-08-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

WILLIAM GOLDFOOS
Tech Sergeant

US ARMY AIR FORCE

MANSON, WA
World War II

VIRGIL JOE - US ARMY

2008-08-16T22:22:00.001-07:00

VIRGIL JOE
Private First Class
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
Vietnam

ROBERT LEE - US ARMY

2008-08-16T22:21:00.001-07:00

ROBERT LEE
E-4
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA

Dates of Service
1961-1967

NORMAN WIEGELE - US ARMY

2008-08-16T22:19:00.001-07:00

NORMAN WIEGELE
Spec 4 E-4 US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
Date of Service
1961-1963

2008-08-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for the portrait of me. I was shocked at how wonderful it was, and what a fantastic portrait. My first response was how much I look like my Uncle John...I have always honored my Uncle John's service in Vietnam and saw him as a veteran. It means a great deal to all veterans that you are honoring them with your talent. Shane

GARY BARTON - US NAVY

2008-08-09T09:26:00.001-07:00

GARY BARTON
RM-3

U.S. NAVY

MESA, AZ

Date of Service
1975-1979

RALPH NOLL - US ARMY

2008-08-09T09:24:00.001-07:00

RALPH NOLL
Spec 4 US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
Vietnam

2008-08-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

SHANE RICHTER - US ARMY

2008-08-04T20:50:00.001-07:00

SHANE RICHTER
Sergeant E-5
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA

Date of Service
1979-1985

CRAIG W. THOMAS - US ARMY

2008-08-04T20:49:00.001-07:00

CRAIG W. THOMAS
Private 1st Class
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
Vietnam
(2) Purple Hearts
Silver Star for Gallantry in Action.

APRIL BRESGAL - US AIR FORCE

2008-08-04T20:47:00.001-07:00

APRIL BRESGAL
Tech Sergeant E-6
US AIR FORCE

SPOKANE, WA

Desert Storm

SETH VAN EYCK - US ARMY

2008-07-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

SETH VAN EYCK
SSG
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA

Iraq

RONALD DECKER - US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

2008-07-24T23:22:00.001-07:00

RONALD DECKER
Private 1st Class
US ARMY
NATIONAL GUARD

CHICAGO, IL

Date of Service
1957-1964

PHILLIP WHITE - US ARMY

2008-07-24T23:21:00.001-07:00

PHILLIP WHITE
Spec 4 E-4
Combat Medic
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
Vietnam
Army Commendation with Valor
Purple Heart

DOUGLAS LIVINGSTONE - US ARMY

2008-07-23T21:59:00.000-07:00

DOUGLAS LIVINGSTONE
E-5
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA

Vietnam

C. BENNETT CROWLEY US ARMY

2008-07-23T21:58:00.001-07:00

C. BENNETT CROWLEY
1916-2008

Private US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
World War II

LLOYD HUMPHREY - US ARMY

2008-07-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

LLOYD HUMPHREY
First Sergeant
US ARMY

KETTLE FALLS, WA

Korea

W.C. NEIGHBOUR - US ARMY

2008-07-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

W.C. NEIGHBOUR
Corporal US ARMY

NINE MILE FALLS, WA
World War II

BOBIE EBY - US ARMY

2008-07-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

BOBIE EBY
E-6 1st Class US ARMY

BONNERS FERRY, ID
Korea

JOHN RUSSELL - US ARMY

2008-07-19T17:34:00.001-07:00

JOHN RUSSELL
Private 1s Class
US ARMY

MOSES LAKE, WA

World War II

FRANK MACE - US NAVY

2008-07-19T17:32:00.001-07:00

FRANK MACE
Chaplain, POW
US NAVY

CHENEY, WA

World War II

JOE H. RICHART - US ARMY

2008-07-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

JOE H. RICHART
Corporal E-4 US ARMY

COLVILLE, WA
Vietnam

CRAIG MONTGOMERY - US ARMY

2008-07-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

CRAIG MONTGOMERY
Spec-4 US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
Vietnam

OTIS STUTES - US ARMY

2008-07-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

OTIS STUTES
1922-2008

SFC E-7
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
World War II, Korea, Vietnam

DAVID M. GARINGER - US MARINE CORPS

2008-07-15T22:17:00.001-07:00

DAVID M. GARINGER
Corporal
US MARINE CORPS

SPOKANE, WA

World War II

DALE GUDMUNSON - US COAST GUARD

2008-07-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

DALE GUDMUNSON
1950-2008

US COAST GUARD

COLFAX, WA
Vietnam

2008-07-15T22:14:00.001-07:00

MARTIN PEGNAM - US NAVY

2008-07-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

MARTIN PEGNAM
1934-2005

Corpsman
US NAVY

BISBEE, AZ

Date of Service
1953-1957

ERNEST FRAIJO - US NAVY

2008-07-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

ERNEST FRAIJO
Seaman
US NAVY

SPOKANE, WA

World War II

TOM DAVIS - US NAVY

2008-07-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

TOM DAVIS
Program Afloat
College Education
US NAVY

SPOKANE, WA
Date of Service
1978-1979

ROSE JOHNSON - US ARMY

2008-07-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

ROSE JOHNSON
SSG E-6
US ARMY

UMATILLA, OR

Desert Storm

PAT BIGGS - US ARMY

2008-07-13T21:27:00.001-07:00

PAT BIGGS
Captain U.S. ARMY

SPOKANE, WA
Vietnam

GREGORY L. LAMBERT - US ARMY

2008-07-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

GREGORY L. LAMBERT
Spec-4 US ARMY

NINE MILE FALLS, WA
Vietnam

H. DEAN FURNESS - US NAVAL AIR

2008-07-13T21:22:00.001-07:00

H. DEAN FURNESS
2nd Class

Athletic Specialist
US NAVAL AIR

SPOKANE, WA

World War II

JAMES J. HANNAWALT - US ARMY CORPS of ENGINEERS

2008-07-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

JAMES J. HANNAWALT
1906-1977

E-6
US ARMY
CORPS of ENGINEERS

SPOKANE, WA

World War II

RALPH DeCRISTOFORO - US AIR FORCE

2008-07-11T20:13:00.001-07:00

RALPH DeCRISTOFORO
Captain US AIR FORCE

SPOKANE, WA
Vietnam, First Gulf War

THOMAS POFF - US MARINE CORPS

2008-07-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

THOMAS POFF
Private First Class
US MARINE CORPS

COEUR D’ALENE, ID

Vietnam

RON VIETSKE - US NAVAL AIR RESERVE

2008-07-10T20:32:00.001-07:00

RON VIETZKE
Airman E-3
US NAVAL AIR RESERVE

AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA
Date of Service
1954-1962

WILLIAM OVERHOLSER - US ARMY

2008-07-10T20:31:00.001-07:00

WILLIAM OVERHOLSER
Lieutenant Colonel
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA

Vietnam

The Silver Star
3 Distinguished Flying Crosses
2 Bronze Stars with V device for Valor
60 Air Medals including one V Device
The Soldier’s Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
2 Army Commendation Medals including one V Device
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry

BOB MECHAM - US ARMY

2008-07-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

BOB MECHAM
Major
US ARMY

SPOKANE, WA

Date of Service
1962-1970

DENNIS BURGI - US NAVAL AIR

2008-07-09T22:11:00.001-07:00

DENNIS BURGI E-5 2nd Class
US NAVAL AIR

NINE MILE FALLS, WA
Vietnam

BEMJAMIN WHITE - US MARINE CORPS

2008-07-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

BENJAMIN WHITE
E-4
US MARINE CORPS

PRIEST RIVER, ID

Vietnam

DAVID DEPUE - US NAVY

2008-07-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

DAVID DEPUE
Seaman 1st Class
US NAVY

PRIEST RIVER, ID
World War II, Korea

Artist Profile

2008-07-08T22:21:00.000-07:00

John Thamm, Spokane artist, specializes in oil portraiture and landscapes.

He presently teaches portrait workshops in Berlin, Germany and the United States. As a courtroom sketch artist for television, he has covered many prominent trials including Ruby Ridge and Waco. To view his work- visit his website at http://www.jfthammstudios.com/.