AF artists program visits Tinker Published Aug. 13, 2008 By Danielle Gregory Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- A picture is worth a thousand words. For three men from the Air Force Art Program that statement is something that holds true to their work. Jim Conahan, Chris Spollen and Richard Taylor are all part of the artist program that has a long history of helping the Air Force record their mission onto canvas. "We get a chance to go places we wouldn't normally go, and in turn the Air Force gets paintings from top professionals," said Mr. Conahan. "We see all the millions of dollars of equipment and the young professionals. When I come back from a trip I feel very secure." The USAF Art Program and the beginning of its widespread collection of aviation art began in 1950. In 1951, the AF sponsored a tour of several USAF installations for 30 cartoonists, and in 1952 the Air Force sponsored 30 artists from the Society of Illustrators. The concept of the program, to record the Air Force story through art, was realized at that time. "I joined the program to see all of the equipment but I've really come to enjoy the personnel. When you are on a base, you are in a different world and the respect and the courtesy is very enjoyable," said Mr. Taylor. The artist program has only the best of the best artists. All artists are professionals and to be a part of the program an artist has to be submitted by someone in the program. The nominee then has to enter a portfolio to be judged, before acquiring a job. The artwork of the artists is important because it gives everyone and up-close look at the Air Force. "Some people may take the military for granted but we get a chance to see it up close... really impressive. Every civilian should be able to visit an AF base and see it the way we see it," said Mr. Conahan. The artists are on a rotating trip list and never know when they will be asked to go on trip. It may take up to two years before they are up for another trip. When an artist is picked for a trip they travel to the base that has been scheduled. They have a schedule of things to see and photograph while on base. After the trip is complete, the artists' then take the pictures back with them and begin to draw the paintings. "We are always amazed with what we see. It's completely different to see things up close as apposed to someone just handing us a picture and asking us to paint it," said Mr. Taylor. "By going onsite we get a little more of an emotional connection to what we are painting." A majority of the paintings end up hanging in the Pentagon. Bases are able to request particular artists or pieces. "Being in the business world... we take these trips and see how focused the Air Force is, it's impressive. They have a mission and everyone is working together because of the influence and effectiveness of their command. It's something you don't see in private businesses especially with that type of enthusiasm," said Mr. Taylor. The three artists that visited Tinker have been in the program for more than 30 combined years and say they will continue to participate until they can't any longer. "Participating in this program definitely keeps us feeling younger, and we always have a lot of fun," said Mr. Spollen. They have seen so many advances throughout their time of visiting bases that they are always impressed. "Some people go to Disney World, I get to tell people I got to be in a B-1," said Mr. Spollen. Today, management of the USAF Art Program and collection is the responsibility of the Secretary of the Air Force.