Interestingly, the artist was formerly an artist for Saddam Hussein during most of his life (painting images on murals, buildings, etc. all over Iraq – essentially covering the country with his visage). After the invasion, most of the artists were out of work. This particular artist was put to work painting historical scenes on the new government buildings, including a fantastic mural in the Sinjar Post Office. He was adept at painting or copying photographs in our. Scott had him paint several paintings (from photographs) of his unit’s movement from Kuwait to Northern Iraq.

This helmet is an amazing examples of modern day trench art. What I like best about them is the fact that the show collaboration between native local populations and a foreign military, which I think isn’t frequently exhibited in trench art. I also like the idea of how new materials and new forms of collaboration allow a broader range of trench art to be created.

Scott discussed why he thinks that modern conflict doesn’t lend itself to trench art as easily as earlier conflicts. He says:

The nature of modern conflict doesn’t lend itself to trench art as easily as earlier conflicts. Most trench art pieces are made of artillery shells. While artillery has been used in both Iraq and Afghanistan it is not at the same magnitude of earlier wars. Additionally, most soldiers today are taught to not retain spent brass or ammo and that it must be turned in. Being found with spent ammunition stateside can result in punishment. Some of that mentality carries on overseas. Finally there are shipping concerns.

These matchbook covers have proven hard to display, although they are lovely. For example, Mozart’s features a naval pin-up girl and the phrase “Naughty Nautical.” The Wiggle Inn states “Dine & Dance” and that “All Legal Drinks Served.”

However, they’ve proven hard to display…until now. I picked up a small $1 frame at Dollar Tree and I really like how colorful and fun they are framed.

I cut the tops of each tab so I could connect them together and then wrapped the strand around and around until the wreath was covered. My accomplice said it needed more color so I hung tiny Christmas balls on it. It’s pretty crazy.

The books that ended up fitting in the frames were mostly juvenile literature, but I did manage to frame my favorite book cover ever: “ESP” by Susy Smith.

The actual tie dying was really fun. There are so many different techniques available and directions on the internet. However, I’m not one for following directions so I chose to just make it up as I went along. As a result, I ended up with some  curious garments. I think my favorite is the tie dye onesie. I also liked the way the purple tie dye skirt turned out. The tie dye’s girl’s dress was labeled as a top and I only found out later that it wasn’t a camisole. Oh well. The tshirt was a funny disaster. One I will wearing alone and at home. It is really soft, though…

UPDATE: Since this I have been commissioned to make a similar bag for a woman who works at my school out of her father’s ties (who recently passed away). I think this is such a great idea and such a nice way to remember someone. Something to keep in mind if you sew!

While there I saw that the top part of the wall of one of the buildings had a ton of stacked old wooden fruit crates. I love the way it looked and I think it would look great as wall paneling if you pried the staples out of the crates and then used the sides as flat sheets. It would be County Living’s sort of aesthetic, which I love. If only I had a large amount of old fruit crates…