Preserving Memories Through Art

Looking for a personalized gift for someone who served in the Armed Forces? Area artist and illustrator, Anne Butler, offers a customized piece of artwork, unique to that person’s military service experience, by creating a visual collage of a combination of text and mixed media such as colored pencil, charcoal, ink, and watercolor. When given a commission, she researches veteran’s service history and deployment locations to create a factually and historically correct illustrated composition, incorporating their branch of service, rank, duty locations, photographs or stories that are shared and world events during the service timeline.

Anne’s first tribute was for her father, who served in WWII. He was a B17 bombardier who was shot down over Germany and kept a hidden diary on toilet paper that he successfully smuggled back home. Anne chose to tell his story through a combination of illustrations, a map and text. When others viewed her tribute to her father, she was then often asked to create a unique personalized tribute for their loved one that reflected that individual’s service to their country.

Anne has lived on the Suncoast for over 30 years. She has pursued her love of art through classes at the former Cultural Center in Port Charlotte, as well as other locations. Her favorite teacher, Maury Postel, taught her the pen & ink technique. Postel was an illustrator for Dell Comic Books so she learned this technique from a Master.

Her deep respect for those who have served in the military inspires Anne to create a well-thought out and beautifully illustrated picture to serve as a tribute to honor the veteran. The initial consultation with Anne will have the client define the scope and high points of the military experience, introduce the recipient’s life and personality to Anne, and share any stories that will help Anne “get to know” that person so she can bring that person’s life alive through her artwork. Anne spends time researching the military era in which the veteran served, and what was happening during that time (e.g. a war or conflict) and the duty postings. 

So many times family and descendants have no idea what role a veteran had during his military service and will often think, “I wish I had known, but it was never talked about and I didn’t ask.” Serving in the military is something to be proud of and honored as these veterans helped shape history by playing their part. Too often veterans from the Vietnam, Korean, and more recent conflicts aren’t applauded for their service and the sacrifices they made in the name of their country. Recognizing them or their family with a visual military record can be a step in acknowledging that experience.

Anne does more than military tributes. You may be looking for a gift to honor or celebrate someone’s life’s experiences or achievements. Maybe someone just moved into their first home or a new one, has an antique car or motorcycle that is their “baby”, spends time on the water with “her” (a boat), or excels on the sports field. Anne’s art background and creative mind allows her to come up with a personalized visual celebration for whatever you would like to see a person honored or recognized for. Your recipient will be thrilled with a reminder of a defining aspect or milestone in their life.

Besides her custom artwork, Anne provided the illustrations for local author Ray Hazel’s “Lemon Bay Trilogy” series and has created many special request illustrated pictures for friends and area customers. You can view some of Anne’s artwork in the Coastal Emporium, 411 W. Dearborn Street. She can be reached at [email protected] or text her at 941-228-0933.