Creative Woodworks & crafts-125-2007-Holiday, страница 32

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Chief Master Sgt. Jesse Davis

hen Jesse Davis submitted photos of his work to us for review, we knew he was a talented artist arid skilled craftsman. In fact, his Merry Christmas Sign in this issue is the first of several of his projects to be featured in the magazine It wasn't until after several communications with him, however, that we learned Chief Master Sergeant Jesse Davis had put his wood working skills to use helping others at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where he is currently stationed.

The base is home to Scott's Aeromedical Staging Facility (ASF). According to Kareri Petitt, of the Air Force Communications Agency, "The ASF is one of the first air evacuation staging stops for patients who were wounded while serving in the Afghanistan and Iraqi I heater of operations. Last year 1,300 patients moved through the ASF and 600 of those stayed overnight before being transferred closer to their home stations."

Groups from across the base have endeavored to give the facility a more personal touch by "adopting" rooms to decorate. One of these groups, the AMC/A5/8, set about sprucing up the "internet cafe" room, a common area for patients where they can correspond via internet with fellow sen/ice members.

It was decided to decorate the walls of the cafe with a mural, entitled "Land That I Love." The mural, which depicts scenes from across America, was the brainchild of Mrs. Renee Kane, wife of Major General Thomas Kane, the AMC/A5/8 Director. Originally, the mural was going to be painted by one artisl. However, it was decided to have individuals decorate panels off-site, then install them at the base. Many talented volunleer painters participated—even some children of service members. These creative images, which are all mounted on galvanized tin panels that had been donated by a local company, range from scenes of East Coast lighthouses to the Seattle Skyline, from the lively streets of New Orleans to the welcoming archway in St. Louis.

When Jesse heard that the group still needed a few more panels to be designed in order to complete the mural, tie volunteered to help. Because he hadn't painted in quite a while, he instead offered to scroll the designs and mount them on a panel.

Connie Grinnan from The Scroller's Cafe website (http://groups.msn.ccm/TheScrollersCate) designed the Mt. Rushmore pattern, which Jesse cut from 3/4-thick walnut with a live edge. He used glue and screws to mount it to the galvanized lin panel, which had been sanded using 600-grit sandpaper and primed with two coats each of primer, satin black spray paint, and clear matte spray.

Jesse chose to use Gayle Mortenson's Spirit of the Horse pattern to represent South Dakota because the state is known for its Native American heritage. The mountains reminded him of

Mf. Rushmore by Jesse Davis

32 ■ Creative Woodworks S. Crafts Holiday 2007