From Pastels And Paint Brushes To Trenches and Bushes
(March 6, 2011) |
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| CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (MCN - 3/2/2011) — When looking at a
formation of Marines, they all look the same. They are
dressed the same, they move the same and they even sound off
the same cadence. Everything is done in unison and no one
stands out. |
Outside of these formations, however, these Marines
are individuals. They have diverse personalities,
come from different walks of life and have various
hobbies.
Cpl. Sarah Webb, a motor
transportation operator with Bravo Company, Combat
Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group,
grew up with a love for art starting at a young age.
“I have always been interested in art,” Webb
said. “When I was little my older brother, Billy,
would teach me. Then in high school I took some
college level-art classes.”
Before joining
the Marine Corps, Webb's dream was to attend Rocky
Mountain College of Art and Design in Lakewood,
Colo. |
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Mar. 3, 2011 - Cpl. Sarah Webb, a motor transportation operator with Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, painted the first "Marine" rock at Fort Irwin and National Training Center, Calif., where the unit conducted a month-long training evolution recently. It is a tradition that once a battalion completes the training, they paint a rock with the unit's insignia, crest or motto. (Courtesy Photo) |
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“When you apply you have to show your art work to see
if you are eligible to attend,” explained the Loveland,
Colo. native. “Only 800 students are allowed to attend the
school so they are very picky-choosey. I didn't think they
were going to pick me so I [signed up for the delayed entry
program] in the Marine Corps.
“[The college] called
me for a follow-up interview for a possible full scholarship
because they liked my work, but it was a month before I left
for boot camp and I had already taken the first oath of
enlistment... I cried.”
Although she missed the chance
to attend the college of her choice, Webb said she is
pleased with the way her life has turned out. “I am really
happy about the path I did choose,” she said. “I always say,
God puts a fork in the road and every time you choose a path
there is always a new fork. There are times I wish I could
go back and wait the extra month, but I wouldn't change
where I am now.”
The art enthusiast has been on
three deployments and is currently preparing for her fourth
with CLB-6. Even in the midst of training with her
battalion, Webb has made a way to incorporate art in her
day-to-day life.
Recently, CLB-6 became the first
2nd MLG battalion to attend training at Fort Irwin and
National Training Center, Calif., where the Army conducts
month-long predeployment exercises. It is tradition that
once a battalion completes the training, they paint a large
rock with their battalion's insignia, crest or motto.
Webb was assigned to paint the rock for the battalion,
which became the first 2nd MLG rock at NTC.
“It's
pretty cool to be the first [2nd MLG] Marine to paint on an
Army base,” Webb said. “If I had more time the rock would
have had a lot more ‘kazow.' I wanted people to look at it
and think ‘that must be a Marine's rock.'”
Webb's
talents do not end with a paint brush.
“I like to
explore my boundaries,” she said. “I always try to use two
types of media in my art work. It shows that you are not a
one-minded person.”
Webb said she likes to take her
time on her art and prefers not to have a timeline.
“My work is never finished,” she explained. “Someone else
may look at it and think it's done, but I look at it and
think of all the work I could still do to it. Beauty is in
the eye of the beholder. I don't believe that one person can
judge art, which is why I never entered any competitions.”
Although Webb once saw herself with a career as an
artist, she now plans to keep it as a hobby and way of
relieving stress. She is now on her second enlistment and is
undecided if she wants to make a career out of the Marine
Corps.
“I'm going to take it one enlistment at a
time,” she concluded. |
By USMC Cpl. Melissa A. Latty
2nd Marine Logistics Group
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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