This is a project started by ODAs 193 and 192 following a trip to Canada in 1997.  We came up with the idea after seeing the Bn. and Regt. paintings in the various Canadian Forces HQs.  The paintings are a gift from the Sergeant’s Mess to the Battalion.  We don’t have a Mess in the modern SF… but we liked the idea anyway.

 The game plan:  Typically, when a painting is commissioned (CGSC, Regimental, etc) it takes an up front cash payment in the thousands of dollars.  Fish Creek Military Prints gave us another alternative that we found to be a lot more to our liking (picture getting about ten grand up front from a bunch of SF guys):

1. They (Fish Creek) bare the initial risk, trusting that the painting will be paid for by the purchase of the prints.
2. After one fourth of the prints are sold, the painting is “on loan” to the Battalion, to be displayed in the HQ
3. After one half of the prints are sold, the painting becomes the property of the Battalion.

The Goal is to have the first one hundred prints ordered by 1 December, in preparation for Menton Day.  The actual original painting can then be displayed by the Battalion.  These initial prints will cost $65 each.

Status:  The painting will be completed as of the second week of November, after which it will go to the lithographers (printers) for completion of the print run.

Release:  It will be presented during the week of the Menton Day activities.  The artist, Ken Dewar, will be available for signing/individualizing the prints during the week of Menton Day, if there is enough interest (date TBD).  Let me know if this is something that you’d like.

Edition information:  400 prints will be run, and will be available initially for $65*.  When they are done, there will be no more.  This will insure that the value of your print will not be undermined by the issue of a later edition.

Artist’s Proofs:  40 Artists Proofs at $200 each.  A.P.s are a slightly different style of print.  These proofs will be personalized by the artist, Mr. Dewar.  He will hand draw, in single color pencil, an emblem, design or insignia in the base margin of the print.  Examples are ODA logos, foreign wings, Scuba Bubble, etc.  When ordering an A.P., send a copy of the image desired on a standard 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper.  The better the quality, the better he can reproduce it for you.

Thanks to everyone who contributed… pictures, advise, criticisms were all greatly needed and appreciated.

      Paul W. Ranta, MSG
      firenze193@aol.com
*  I will help manage the ordering and distribution until the end of February 2000, my retirement date.  I ain’t makin a nickel on this… and none of the guys that have assisted from 3/1st SFG(A) have either.  With any luck, the Bn will take over selling (typically, the SGT’s Mess add $5-$10 per print) if they can unravel the legal red tape.  If not, Fish Creek will handle distro directly.