Your Painting Title My Name is Annie

Your NameAdele Buytenhuys


MediumOil

Your ProfileI am a mother of three wonderful sons, a grandmother of ten. I am also a wife, artist, and animal lover. I started painting in 2000 when we were living in the Netherlands. I don't have any formal art training but have studied with well-known artists in the Netherlands, Houston, California and North Carolina. My medium of choice is oil. Recently I have been working with colored pencils and find that the hand movement calms the mind. The veteran program is the drive behind what I do every day and behind my art.

The Story Behind Your PaintingAnnie is one of thousands of Annies who are part of military and veteran families. She was born before her dad could get home from Afghanistan. She is five years old and her daddy is on his third deployment. She sits on the beach wondering when he will come home. Then there is Annie, her mommy was injured in Iraq and can't do the things she could do before she was deployed. Annie has to help with some of the chores but she doesn't mind. She feels that she is one of the lucky ones, her mommy doesn't have to go away again. Then there is Annie who doesn't know why her daddy gets angry or sits in a dark corner. He always sits facing the door and jumps if there is a loud noise. She can't see his wounds. We thank our active military and veterans for their service. Our hearts break for the caregivers who didn't expect this to be their new job. We don't always thank Annie who is just too young to understand.