Donated artwork to help raise funds for Stars and Stripes

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - A Fruitland, Mo. artist has donated a piece of art to the Stars and Stripes Museum in hopes of raising funds for the museum. The painting will be on display in the lobby of the museum. Limited numbered prints of the painting will be sold to the public with all proceeds going to the museum.

Roger Sanford devoted about 80 hours to the piece of art he donated to the Museum in Bloomfield. The painting measures 11"X14" and is a permanent fixture in the museum lobby.

The mixed media painting (oil pastel and prisma color) is entitled, "Color of Freedom". It features a flag draped over a table, a drum and flute and a Revolutionary War hat, along with a copy of "The Stars and Stripes" publication. The background is in blue oil pastel.

Sanford said he started working in primarily oil pastels, but has branched out in recent years. He said prisma color is a type of wax that is difficult to work with and many artists don't like working with that media.

Sanford served in the army. He appreciates and respects those that have made sacrifices for their country.

A friend of Sanford's who was in Viet Nam came up with the idea of creating a piece of art to be used as a fundraiser for the Stars and Stripes Museum. The friend talked with Museum Librarian Sue Mayo and "got the ball rolling".

Sanford said he was also inspired to do something by the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The terrorist act that destroyed the twin towers brought the country together, Sanford said. He hopes that the painting will help remind those visiting the museum of the sacrifice and service citizens have given to this country.

"I've been to a lot of different countries," Sanford said during his visit to the museum on Wednesday. "This is the greatest country of them all."

Sanford is a self-taught artist. He started drawing when he was a young boy and has continued to work on his craft over the years. He began selling his artworks six or seven years ago.

"Ironically, I'm color blind," said Sanford. "I didn't know it until I went into the military and had to pass a physical exam."

"I'm not totally color blind. I have some problems with some hues such as teal or other blue/geen colors."

In spite of having no formal training, Sanford has had some success as an artist. Some of his works are on display at the Edward Benard Art Gallery in Cape Girardeau as well as the Mosaic Gallery in Cape Girardeau. He also has works exhibited in California, Colorado, Illinois and of course Missouri.

The museum honors the history of the military newspaper, Stars and Stripes. The paper dates back to the 1860s when Illinois Union soldiers used the abandoned press of the Bloomfield Herald to publish a newspaper.

Mayo said the painting will be displayed in the lobby of the museum and will be visible when walking through the entrance. She thanked Sanford on behalf of the museum staff for his gift. She hopes that the public will stop by for a look at the painting, and perhaps purchase one of the numbered prints as a show of support for the museum.