KISS THE COOK

This is a quick pencil sketch done in painter and created as a private label at a client's request.

I SEE THE LIGHT AND IT'S COMING FROM ZIPPO

I feel very proud to have the BATTLEGROUND STUDIO name associated with ZIPPO, an American Icon. These limited edition prints are now available to order at
http://webfarm.foliolink.com/Image.asp?ImageID=705589&AKey=8T568YEK
http://webfarm.foliolink.com/Image.asp?ImageID=705790&AKey=8T568YEK
http://webfarm.foliolink.com/Image.asp?ImageID=705814&apid=1&gpid=1&ipid=1&AKey=8T568YEK
The prints are limited to 250 units each and are selling fast.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE REVUE

Another poster I just finished designing for a music show happening in October in Ontario.

KEEP 'EM FLYING

Fresh hot the press is this poster art created exclusively for the Planes of Fame museum in Chino California. This took about 12 hours to paint and I'm happy with the result.

"TENTALIZING TAKE OFF"

BATTLEGROUND STUDIO' s "Tentalizing take off", an original Pin-up painted on a genuine B25 panel and exclusively created for PLANES of FAME in Chino California is now on display inside the museum's gift shop. Planes of Fame' s reputation for excellence is well known worldwide and we are honored to be associated with this organization. As part of an ongoing project BATTLEGROUND STUDIO is also creating some unique artwork which will be displayed throughout the museum grounds in the future We look forward to nurture a long and strong partnership with PofF. Meanwhile, if you plan to visit the museum in the near future or attend their monthly lecture, stop by the gift shop and check out the painting.

Will

YES YOU CAN!

BATTLEGROUND STUDIO wants to throw grenades your way. We've cracked open another crate of our own special brew and we want you to have one or 2 on us. Our supply is limited but we want to get the drinks to as many people as possible. Our first grenade batch did not last very long so don't wait, send us an email with your address and we'll make sure you get to "PULL THE PIN" before we do.

OKINAWA, THE LAST GREAT BATTLE

With the invaluable help of Dr. Martin Rabolvsky, I came into possession of a particular set of items which I consider to be some of the most meaningful pieces of an ever growing collection of WWII memorabilia. In the photograph shown above are the personal belongings of Japanese Army Airforce Lieutenant Tokuchi Tsutomu. Lieutenant Tsutomu was on a mission to attack American ships off the cost of Okinawa in 1945 when he was shot down and crashed in the ocean. Seriously hurt, he spent 10 hours floating in the water before being rescued by Japanese fishermen. His injuries were much too serious then and prevented him from flying combat missions for the rest of the war. In an ongoing effort to preserve history I'm still collecting information about Mr. Tsutomu and I hope to learn more about him in the near future.

DAYS OF HONOR indeed

Assembly Member Ed Hernandez of District 57
Has selected
Roy Test of Baldwin Park
Veteran of the United States Army Air Corps
To be honored for his many significant contributions
to the community.

Recommended by:
Mayor Manny Lozano
Ex-Mayor Jack White
Unified School District Superintendent Mark Skvarna
Adult School Director John Kerr
Unified School District Community Relations Officer Denise Tornatore
Baldwin Park County Librarian Rafael Gonzales
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director David Luevano
On May 7th, 2008
THE CALIFORNIA STATE COMMANDERS VETERANS COUNCIL
will be hosting a Veterans Recognition Lunch in Sacramento to recognize a Veteran of each District, who like Mr. Test, have given service to their country
and actively continue to contribute to their community.

Yolanda Chacon -Serna Senior Field Representative
Assemblyman Dr. Ed Hernandez

"THAT AIN'T A SPORTS JACKET"

Over 10,500 aircrafts belonging to the 8th Air Force were lost in the ETO during WWII
More than 25,000 crewmen died. Wilbur Richardson (in photo) is part of this Mighty 8th, he fought, lived through the war and is here to remind us about those who did not return.
I'm blessed to know Wilbur and it's always a pleasure when I see him.
If you ever visit the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, Ca make sure you ask to see Wilbur, you'll most likely find him in the shade under the wing of the B17 parked by the museum entrance. Go say hello and listen carefully to what he has to say.

BLACK TEARS

I had the privilege to visit Pearl Harbor and the historical sites around it last year.
" I never thought I would see a generation abusing the liberties that were won by men who sacrificed so much to protect those same liberties" as I stood above the USS Arizona, watching her shedding black tears 67 years after she was sunk, entombing 1177 men. What made the visit very special is the fact that my son was with me and was able to experience all this as well. We ended our day on the USS Missouri where my son asked me if her guns will ever fire again, I answered–"no son, these will not, never again", he thought about that answer for a few seconds and said– "that's good dad, they must be really loud", " Not loud enough for this generation to remember" was my answer.

FOR THE CHILDREN

Childrens hospital of Los Angeles has asked BATTLEGROUND STUDIO to create an icon for their Knowledge Information Decision Support committee. This assignment has a special meaning in that it gives us the opportunity to partner with an organization that has done so much for the children and their families since its beginning in 1901. It has been a priviledge to be involved in the project and we encourage everyone reading this to donate time and resources to serve children and families in need. BATTLEGROUND STUDIO will also be involved in delivering hundreds of blankets (to CHLA) received from School Districts around the Los Angeles area and made by the children for the children.

Will

BATTLE BRAND

BATTLEGROUND STUDIO's newest items are now available for the public. Dog tag keychains can be yours just for the asking, just drop us an email with your address and we'll make sure that you get them on time before you loose another set of keys.
Meet "FRANK" who brings our trademark icon to life and in 3D. Sculpted by Mike Spindle this 5" tall limited edition resin soldier will be given as a prize to the winner of our monthly art contest (log on to our website for more details). For the older soldiers and battle weary gals and guys, BATTLEGROUND STUDIO has been working with a local manufacturer to create an energy drink which is sure to get you ready for your next "battle". There are several other projects in the works so be sure to check back often with us for up to date news from the battle field.

JAPANESE SUBMARINE " I 400 "

The good people at the Planes of Fame in Chino Calif. hosted their monthly symposium this saturday March 6.
This month's lecture was on the WWII Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I 400.
Authors Gary Douglas Nila and Henry Sakaida spoke on a subject they thoroughly researched for the past 10 years. The fruit of their effort is documented in a new book they wrote with the help of Koji Takaki who provided valuable information and personally spoke to many of the surviving Japanese crew members over the years. The book is titled I 400 Japan's secret aircraft-carrying strike submarine. After the lecture both authors kindly and patiently answered many questions and shared personal experiences they had in their research for this and many other books they wrote. After visiting with some old friends in different parts of the museum, I returned to the guests table and had a nice chat with Gary Nila. A former FBI agent and currently working at Norththrop Grumman Mr Nila is a wealth of information and will gladly share his passion with anyone who's willing to listen. Nila and Sakai's enthusiasm sparked the audience and made this month's lecture one of the most interesting to date.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOS

On March 5, the Route 66 & Aztec Art Gallery in Monrovia California opened its doors to a crowd of friendly visitors who came in to enjoy photographs, painting and sculptures from local artists.
This year's event theme was "Planes, Trains and Autos".
Gallery directors Ron Pettie and Richard Scully welcomed their guests with finger food, refreshments and a great variety of artwork featured throughout.
BATTLEGROUND STUDIO signature Pin-Up "tantalizing Take Off" was displayed near the gallery entrance. The painting was done on a genuine B25 bomber nacelle panel and the attractive gal featured on it enjoyed a steady flow of visitors (mostly men) throughout the evening. One gentleman shared with me some personal thoughts and feelings that the painting brought out in him. A crew chief and maintenance officer in the China, Burma theater during WWII, Bruce worked on B25, B24s, P40s and P38s, maintaining those planes in top shape and ready for combat. We exchanged information and agreed to meet at a later date to look at some of his personal nose art photos he took while serving overseas. The panel will be on display for a few more weeks at the Route 66 gallery and will be moved back to BATTLEGROUND STUDIO.

" AN ALL OUT ASSAULT ON THE SENSES"