Watercolor portraits of veterans by Mary Whyte

“We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America” is a 136-page book featuring 67 color and 50 black and white illustrations from Mary Whyte, rendered with great care and gentle brush strokes alike.

We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America

We the people—these words embody the ethos of what it means to be an American citizen. As individuals, we are a tapestry of colors and creeds; united we are a nation committed to preserving our hard-earned freedom. In this heart-stirring collection of watercolor portraits of military veterans—one from each of the fifty states—artist Mary Whyte captures this ethos as well as the dedication, responsibility, and courage it takes to fulfill that promise.

Watercolor portraits of veterans by Mary Whyte
Armistice, by Mary Whyte
watercolor on paper
29 x 38 inches
boxing trainer
Omaha, Nebraska
Air Force
Watercolor portraits of veterans by Mary Whyte
America, by Mary Whyte
watercolor on paper
40 x 53 inches
Native American traditional dancer
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Army

Those who raise their hands to serve may join for different reasons, but all—along with their families—make the extraordinary commitment to place the needs of the country before their own. Whyte gives us the opportunity to meet and to see some of them—to really see them. Whyte’s portrait of America includes individuals from many walks of life, some still active duty, and from every branch: women and men, old and young, and from a wide swath of ethnicities, befitting our glorious melting pot. From a mayor to an astronaut, from a teacher to a garbage collector, from a business entrepreneur to someone who is homeless, Whyte renders their unique and exceptional lives with great care and gentle brush strokes.

Watercolor portraits of veterans by Mary Whyte
Battleground, by Mary Whyte
Watercolor on paper
40.75 x 28.75 inches
firefighter
Bend, Oregon
Army

We the People is not only a tour across and through these vast United States, it is a tour through the heart and soul, the duty and the commitment of the people who protect not only our Constitution and our country but our very lives. We can only be deeply grateful, inspired, and humbled by all of them.

Watercolor portraits of veterans by Mary Whyte
Flurries, by Mary Whyte
watercolor on paper
23.375 x 31 inches
rancher
Watrous, New Mexico
Navy

Mary Whyte is an artist and author whose watercolor paintings have earned international recognition. Her works have been exhibited nationally as well as in China and have been featured in numerous publications stateside and in France, Germany, Russia, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan. Whyte is the author of two books published by the University of South Carolina Press—Working South: Paintings and Sketches by Mary Whyte and Down Bohicket Road: An Artist’s Journey. She is also the author of Alfreda’s World, Painting Portraits and Figures in Watercolor, An Artist’s Way of Seeing, and Watercolor for the Serious Beginner. Whyte is the recipient of the Portrait Society of America’s Gold Medal and the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award, South Carolina’s highest honor in the arts.

All royalties from the book will benefit the Patriot Art Foundation.

Watercolor portraits of veterans by Mary Whyte
Glory, by Mary Whyte
watercolor on paper
28.5 x 20 inches
great-grandmother
Savannah, Georgia
Air Force

“Mary Whyte’s We the People is a moving and important tribute to our nation’s greatest patriots—the men and women who served our country with courage, selflessness, and honor.”—Major General James E. Livingston, Medal of Honor recipient

Watercolor portraits of veterans by Mary Whyte
Tomato Pie, by Mary Whyte
watercolor on paper
50.5 x 70.5 inches
gardener
South Plainfield, New Jersey
Coast Guard

“When I undertook this project to paint the face of America, what began as an exercise to create fifty portraits turned into an all-consuming mission to uphold and honor the hidden heroes of our country,” says Whyte. “It is not only a tour across and through these vast United States, it is a tour through the heart and soul, the duty and the commitment of the people who protect not only our Constitution and our country but our very lives. We can only be deeply grateful, inspired, and humbled by all of them, and it’s my hope that this exhibition will give rise to a greater sense of gratitude for our military, as well as to inspire people to reach for what is possible.”

Order your copy of Mary Whyte’s “We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America” here.


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1 COMMENT

  1. Very disappointed that almost half of the beautiful art work in May Whytes new book is rendered in black and white. I would have happily paid more for what could have been a real treasure.

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