The Union Forever

Digital Painting

Software: Corel Painter 2021

Model: Laura Ehlen, IFBB Pro Figure competitor

The Union forever, hurrah! boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitors, up with the stars!
While we rally round the flag, boys, we rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

I've been meaning to create a Civil War artwork for quite a while, but I've left it on the back burner for far too long. There were many iconic uniforms of the Civil War, but my all time favorite is Berdan's 1st and 2nd regiments of US sharpshooters. Unlike the standard blue of the average Union soldier, the sharpshooter wore a dark forrest green frock coat, ideally with dark rubber buttons(manufactured by Goodyear), a Prussian style backpack and kit, and carried the Sharps model 1859 breach loading rifle. Deployed as skirmishers and snipers, they did not follow the traditional Napoleonic tactics of the time. Featured here is an officer of the sharpshooters looking on as the Union lines assault the Confederates positions on the hilltop. Note: this is not a reference to any particular battle, but it is a small throwback to the 'North & South' miniseries from the 80s #billyhazard
My Bio
My artistic theme derives from my love of military history and an appreciation of the female fitness physique. I combine these two subjects together by first depicting the female model in modern context and then reimagining them in a historical or fantasy setting. Though the concept of a female soldier is rooted in reality, their placement in my artwork is often fictional. I am fully aware that swapping the gender roles in my artwork could be seen as pushing a certain political or idealogical agenda but that is simply not the case. Furthermore, I am by no means trying to rewrite history or dishonor fallen soldiers in war. Nor am I trying to be pretentious by creating some kind of controversial narrative.

I have served in the United States military and have been deployed to a combat zone overseas. I have the utmost respect for my brothers and sisters in arms. However, I am also an artist and I must create what I am passionate about. All of the female models depicted in my artwork are real life people. I try to take special care in drawing them as close to their real appearance as possible. I feel that if I intentionally exaggerate their physiques, it does them a disservice to the hard work they've done to develop their musculature. As for my historical themed renderings I try to stay as true to accuracy and authenticity as possible despite the intentional disregard of gender. In summary, I aim to create nothing more than a playful cosplay of female characters.