82nd Airborne Nijmegen Bridge

Digital Painting

Software: Corel Painter 2023

Model: Rachel Price, American IFBB Pro

20th September 1944, paratroopers of the 3rd battalion 504th PIR 82nd "All American" Airborne Division crossed the Waal river in a daring assault to secure the Nijmegen bridge during 'Operation Market Garden'. The assault nicknamed 'Little Omaha' was supported by British XXX Corps tanks of the Grenadier Guards. After fighting to secure a beachhead and taking enormous casualties, the 82nd moved to the northern end of the bridge. Simultaneously, British tanks forced their way through the bombed out ruins of Nijmegen and secured the southern end of the bridge. The Germans, caught in the allied pincer were overwhelmed. The bridge was captured and the road to relieve the beleaguered British paratroopers holding out at the Arnhem bridge was open. Despite the efforts of XXX Corps to push on, the overall objective to secure the final bridge over the Rhine was never achieved and Operation Market Garden would ultimately fail.

This scene depicts the events shortly after the Nijmegen bridge had been captured. German anti-tank guns had picked off leading shermans of the armored column as they attempted to push up the road. The order was given to halt and to not proceed further until further British infantry support had arrived. Remnants of the 82nd Airborne, frustrated after losing half their number and not wanting to lose the initiative pleaded with the British to 'get moving'. Despite a heated argument (and an alleged threat by a trooper to shoot them if the didn't move) the British tankers would not budge; obedient to their strict orders they buttoned up and waited. Rocket firing Hawker Typhoons provided air support overhead.

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.