Soldier in Conflict

I painted this piece in response to the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the futility of war in general.

War can’t exist without soldiers to carry out commands. Yet every soldier has a beating heart - capable of love, compassion and a desire for peace.

I wanted to portray this solider as an emotional being rather than a killer or a victim. There are so many soldiers that are terrified, remorseful, conflicted, misled, inexperienced and reluctant.

Above all, this soldier is grieving the needless destruction, violence, and loss of innocent life that war inevitably causes.