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I graduated in 2012 with a BFA in illustration, but to understand how I ended up an artist in the Marine Corps, we need to rewind a few years to where that origin story begins. It was a typical day in the year 2010, another day of rushing to finish a project because I spent the weekend racing at a college cross-country meet. (I've always done things just a little bit differently). Anyway, as I sit down for my history of illustration class, my mind most likely wondering off to my future art success as a concept artist... I look up and across the board are the words "Combat Art". I’m sorry, what…what is combat art? Never heard of the Marine Corps combat art program before so, after class, I immediately went home and started researching. Turns out, artists were tasked with connecting civilians to the front lines and the in-between moments of the military through art. It made sense, all these paintings throughout history had to come from somewhere. For the remaining two years of college, I would network with former and current combat artists and ultimately decide to enlist in the Marines as a Marine first and an artist second. The mission? Share stories through art. On May 20th, 2012, just one day after graduating college, I left for boot camp., thus beginning my unpredictable, exciting, stressful, and sometimes sad eight-and-a-half-year journey as an active duty Marine. Due to earning the title of Marine and experiencing what it takes from the private level to my last rank as a Staff Sergeant, I'd truly gained an understanding that only those who have worn the uniform can understand. Elize today Today I actively continue to participate in the combat art program as a Veteran artist, though no longer in uniform I still carry that same passion to tell stories. You can also find me actively pushing my career as a freelance artist with storyboarding, animating, concept art and book illustration in both traditional fine art, and digital painting techniques. My efforts have landed me opportunities to work with companies like VETtv, Wacom, Michaels Art Craft Store, The Smithsonian Channel with Paramount, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Pilot pen, Netflix and many more. I actively post under the pseudonym of “inkstickart,” on sites like Instagram and tiktok. With a climbing audience of 270k, Here I share tips and tricks as well as essons learned during my current and active art journey. Everyone, no matter who you think you are, has a story to tell. This is what I've carried with me back into the civilian world as I continue to carve (or draw) my path as an artist. Thanks for reading, I look forward to connecting with you!…I graduated in 2012 with a BFA in illustration, but to understand how I ended up an artist in the Marine Corps, we need to rewind a few years to where that origin story begins. It was a typical day in the year 2010, another day of rushing to finish a project because I spent the weekend racing at a college cross-country meet. (I've always done things just a little bit differently). Anyway, as I sit down for my history of illustration class, my mind most likely wondering off to my future art success as a concept artist... I look up and across the board are the words "Combat Art". I’m sorry, what…what is combat art? Never heard of the Marine Corps combat art program before so, after class, I immediately went home and started researching. Turns out, artists were tasked with connecting civilians to the front lines and the in-between moments of the military through art. It made sense, all these paintings throughout history had to come from somewhere. For the remaining two years of college, I would network with former and current combat artists and ultimately decide to enlist in the Marines as a Marine first and an artist second. The mission? Share stories through art. On May 20th, 2012, just one day after graduating college, I left for boot camp., thus beginning my unpredictable, exciting, stressful, and sometimes sad eight-and-a-half-year journey as an active duty Marine. Due to earning the title of Marine and experiencing what it takes from the private level to my last rank as a Staff Sergeant, I'd truly gained an understanding that only those who have worn the uniform can understand. Elize today Today I actively continue to participate in the combat art program as a Veteran artist, though no longer in uniform I still carry that same passion to tell stories. You can also find me actively pushing my career as a freelance artist with storyboarding, animating, concept art and book illustration in both traditional fine art, and digital painting techniques. My efforts have landed me opportunities to work with companies like VETtv, Wacom, Michaels Art Craft Store, The Smithsonian Channel with Paramount, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Pilot pen, Netflix and many more. I actively post under the pseudonym of “inkstickart,” on sites like Instagram and tiktok. With a climbing audience of 270k, Here I share tips and tricks as well as essons learned during my current and active art journey. Everyone, no matter who you think you are, has a story to tell. This is what I've carried with me back into the civilian world as I continue to carve (or draw) my path as an artist. Thanks for reading, I look forward to connecting with you!

Inkstickart

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I graduated in 2012 with a BFA in illustration, but to understand how I ended up an artist in the Marine Corps, we need to rewind a few years to where that origin story begins. It was a typical day in the year 2010, another day of rushing to finish a project because I spent the weekend racing at a college cross-country meet. (I've always done things just a little bit differently). Anyway, as I sit down for my history of illustration class, my mind most likely wondering off to my future art success as a concept artist... I look up and across the board are the words "Combat Art". I’m sorry, what…what is combat art? Never heard of the Marine Corps combat art program before so, after class, I immediately went home and started researching. Turns out, artists were tasked with connecting civilians to the front lines and the in-between moments of the military through art. It made sense, all these paintings throughout history had to come from somewhere. For the remaining two years of college, I would network with former and current combat artists and ultimately decide to enlist in the Marines as a Marine first and an artist second. The mission? Share stories through art. On May 20th, 2012, just one day after graduating college, I left for boot camp., thus beginning my unpredictable, exciting, stressful, and sometimes sad eight-and-a-half-year journey as an active duty Marine. Due to earning the title of Marine and experiencing what it takes from the private level to my last rank as a Staff Sergeant, I'd truly gained an understanding that only those who have worn the uniform can understand. Elize today Today I actively continue to participate in the combat art program as a Veteran artist, though no longer in uniform I still carry that same passion to tell stories. You can also find me actively pushing my career as a freelance artist with storyboarding, animating, concept art and book illustration in both traditional fine art, and digital painting techniques. My efforts have landed me opportunities to work with companies like VETtv, Wacom, Michaels Art Craft Store, The Smithsonian Channel with Paramount, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Pilot pen, Netflix and many more. I actively post under the pseudonym of “inkstickart,” on sites like Instagram and tiktok. With a climbing audience of 270k, Here I share tips and tricks as well as essons learned during my current and active art journey. Everyone, no matter who you think you are, has a story to tell. This is what I've carried with me back into the civilian world as I continue to carve (or draw) my path as an artist. Thanks for reading, I look forward to connecting with you!…I graduated in 2012 with a BFA in illustration, but to understand how I ended up an artist in the Marine Corps, we need to rewind a few years to where that origin story begins. It was a typical day in the year 2010, another day of rushing to finish a project because I spent the weekend racing at a college cross-country meet. (I've always done things just a little bit differently). Anyway, as I sit down for my history of illustration class, my mind most likely wondering off to my future art success as a concept artist... I look up and across the board are the words "Combat Art". I’m sorry, what…what is combat art? Never heard of the Marine Corps combat art program before so, after class, I immediately went home and started researching. Turns out, artists were tasked with connecting civilians to the front lines and the in-between moments of the military through art. It made sense, all these paintings throughout history had to come from somewhere. For the remaining two years of college, I would network with former and current combat artists and ultimately decide to enlist in the Marines as a Marine first and an artist second. The mission? Share stories through art. On May 20th, 2012, just one day after graduating college, I left for boot camp., thus beginning my unpredictable, exciting, stressful, and sometimes sad eight-and-a-half-year journey as an active duty Marine. Due to earning the title of Marine and experiencing what it takes from the private level to my last rank as a Staff Sergeant, I'd truly gained an understanding that only those who have worn the uniform can understand. Elize today Today I actively continue to participate in the combat art program as a Veteran artist, though no longer in uniform I still carry that same passion to tell stories. You can also find me actively pushing my career as a freelance artist with storyboarding, animating, concept art and book illustration in both traditional fine art, and digital painting techniques. My efforts have landed me opportunities to work with companies like VETtv, Wacom, Michaels Art Craft Store, The Smithsonian Channel with Paramount, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Pilot pen, Netflix and many more. I actively post under the pseudonym of “inkstickart,” on sites like Instagram and tiktok. With a climbing audience of 270k, Here I share tips and tricks as well as essons learned during my current and active art journey. Everyone, no matter who you think you are, has a story to tell. This is what I've carried with me back into the civilian world as I continue to carve (or draw) my path as an artist. Thanks for reading, I look forward to connecting with you!

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I graduated in 2012 with a BFA in illustration, but to understand how I ended up an artist in the Marine Corps, we need to rewind a few years to where that origin story begins. It was a typical day in the year 2010, another day of rushing to finish a project because I spent the weekend racing at a college cross-country meet. (I’ve always done things just a little bit differently). Anyway, as I sit down for my history of illustration class, my mind most likely wondering off to my future art success as a concept artist… I look up and across the board are the words “Combat Art”.

I’m sorry, what…what is combat art?

Never heard of the Marine Corps combat art program before so, after class, I immediately went home and started researching. Turns out, artists were tasked with connecting civilians to the front lines and the in-between moments of the military through art. It made sense, all these paintings throughout history had to come from somewhere.

For the remaining two years of college, I would network with former and current combat artists and ultimately decide to enlist in the Marines as a Marine first and an artist second. The mission? Share stories through art.

On May 20th, 2012, just one day after graduating college, I left for boot camp., thus beginning my unpredictable, exciting, stressful, and sometimes sad eight-and-a-half-year journey as an active duty Marine. Due to earning the title of Marine and experiencing what it takes from the private level to my last rank as a Staff Sergeant, I’d truly gained an understanding that only those who have worn the uniform can understand.

Elize today
Today I actively continue to participate in the combat art program as a Veteran artist, though no longer in uniform I still carry that same passion to tell stories. You can also find me actively pushing my career as a freelance artist with storyboarding, animating, concept art and book illustration in both traditional fine art, and digital painting techniques. My efforts have landed me opportunities to work with companies like VETtv, Wacom, Michaels Art Craft Store, The Smithsonian Channel with Paramount, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Pilot pen, Netflix and many more.

I actively post under the pseudonym of “inkstickart,” on sites like Instagram and tiktok. With a climbing audience of 270k, Here I share tips and tricks as well as essons learned during my current and active art journey. Everyone, no matter who you think you are, has a story to tell. This is what I’ve carried with me back into the civilian world as I continue to carve (or draw) my path as an artist.

Thanks for reading, I look forward to connecting with you!