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Driven to draw

Dec- 8-2004 » Filed Under: Tributes

The following is a great profile of local artist Michael Reagan. We've mentioned Michael's work previously - he has provided free portraits for many Stryker families that have lost loved ones.

Link to Full Article
By Theresa Poalucci, Journal Newspapers

It is rare. Once in a while you meet someone who describes their work as a calling. Some of us feel passionate about what we do, but these chosen few feel compelled to accomplish a task that is far larger than themselves. They touch many lives with their work. Artist Michael Reagan, who is known internationally for his portraits of professional athletes, movie stars, and world leaders, describes his latest project as "something I've been preparing my whole life to do." The new path he has chosen may take the rest of his life to accomplish.

It started with an email request. Reagan had been featured in a segment of "Evening Magazine" showcasing his charitable work. The piece was filmed at his studio in Edmonds. Soon after the TV segment was picked up nationally and aired by other affiliates throughout the country. A young woman, Cherice Johnson happened to see Reagan's story on television, did a search on the Web, and emailed him a request. She wanted to commission Reagan to do a portrait of her husband.

Reagan was home when he read the email. He read the first paragraph and said to his wife, with surprise, that the "Evening Magazine" piece had gotten him a commission. Then he read on.

"I have recently lost my husband Michael in this last year to the war in Iraq. And I struggle each day with my loss and forever remembering him," wrote the newly widowed Cherice Johnson. She went on to say that she would understand if Reagan was too busy. After all his usual subjects were famous, but if he would consider doing a portrait of her husband would he please email her the details of how to proceed and the cost.

Reagan looked up at his wife and told her this was not a commission after all, this was something he must do, at no charge.

"What else could I do, from one combat veteran for another," exclaimed Reagan, who knows the horror of war all too well from having fought in battle in Vietnam. He told his wife that not only was he going to draw Cherice's husband, but he was going to illustrate them all - all the men and women who have died in Iraq.

"My wife looked at me and said 'that's a 1,000 men and women' and I simply said 'yep.'" And so it began, last February. Reagan has already drawn 40 "Fallen Heroes" with several more photographs on his drawing table yet to do and a whole new network of family and friends that are helping to spread the word. [...]

When SPC Michael Wiesemann passed, his grandmother Shirley felt that Reagan's portrait of her grandson was the most beautiful gift she had ever received. "I tried to email you twice but the emotions that were running through me wouldn't allow it," she wrote to Reagan. "Bless you for giving me back my grandson in picture form . . . I can't thank you enough for your gift of love."

Reading the many emails that Reagan has received causes one to tear up, in part for the loss so many have suffered, in part for the bravery that lives within each line of each message, and because you can't help but feel grateful to these men who made the ultimate sacrifice. The messages of thanks Reagan receives back from families carry a common thread - that the portraits were healing, the gratitude is heartfelt and genuine, and there is love.

Although Reagan does all the work for free, he does get the occasional jar of homemade jam and something even more valuable, a whole network of new friends. [...]

"The only thing that is going to keep me from getting all the soldiers done is getting the word out," said Reagan. Reagan's wife, Cheryl understands and accepts her husband's passion. A practical woman who gives in her own way as a nurse at Virginia Mason hospital, she has pointed out to Reagan that giving away 1,000 drawing will be expensive, both in material, time and shipping. But Reagan says he has decided to leave those details to God.

"I will never understand why this simple thing I do makes a difference," ponders Reagan. "Perhaps I'm not meant to know. All I know is I have to."

To learn more about the Fallen Hero project go to www.michaelgreaganartist.com. You can meet Reagan on Dec. 11. from 1 pm to 5 pm at his studio as he is hosting a Christmas Open House. Reagan's studio is located at 300 Admiral Way, Suite 104 in Edmonds. It is located under Arnie's Restaurant near the fishing dock.


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