Kaiserslautern American
March 19, 2021
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PAINTINGS from Page 1 “As an artist, I felt it was time to include women to the tradition of military portraiture by celebrating the diverse career fields, ethnic backgrounds, and varied ages and ranks,” she said. Each portrait includes where the servicewoman is from and a small caption describing her experience in the military. One of the portraits depicts pregnant aviator, Maj. Mary Lea Bordelon, a former C-130J instructor pilot from the 37th Airlift Squadron. She was selected to test the new female maternity flight suit. “I was thrilled to include a painting of a pregnant woman in uniform in this collection,” Smith explained. “It is important to capture servicewomen realistically to show that, for example, motherhood is not a limiting factor in being able to serve your country.” Like Bordelon, Smith is hopeful inclusive initiatives, like uniform policy adjustments, will bring servicewomen one step closer to fighting on equal ground. Military uniforms, to include flight suits, were initially designed for men and lacked consideration for female service members. The artist’s passion for the project enabled her to individualize each portrait while connecting them through their service and commitment to wearing the uniform.
Cary Smith, artist and military spouse, tells a story about the subject in a painting in the lobby of the 86th Airlift Wing headquarters building at Ramstein Air Base, March 12. Smith’s watercolor collection features a mix of 17 enlisted and officer females from 15 different career fields representing different services. Photos by Staff Sgt. Emma James
“I think portrait paintings provide lasting significance, and these women deserve that level of recognition for their contributions,” Smith said. While Smith has been painting for almost 22 years, she only recently made a commitment to mastering watercolor portraiture during her husband’s overseas assignment to Ramstein. “It’s not easy finding work as a military spouse in a foreign
Cary Smith, artist and military spouse, adjusts a painting in the lobby of the 86th Airlift Wing headquarters building at Ramstein Air Base, March 12. Smith’s watercolor collection features a mix of 17 enlisted and officer females from 15 different career fields representing different services.
country,” Smith said. “I decided to dedicate my time to something that will hopefully have an impact on others.” Smith credits her mother for inspiring her to be an artist at an early age and to paint what she knows. In this case, she chose to focus on the role women play in
our nation’s defense. “So many people don’t understand what service members go through, and let alone women,” Smith said. “It’s truly amazing what they do and the obstacles they have overcome.” Smith feels lucky to experience the sense of community and
stability the Air Force has provided her and her family because she can focus on what she loves while giving back. In an effort to continue celebrating women’s contribution to the military, Smith hopes to display her work again at her family’s next duty location.
