A Journey Begins

The Works of Mario Lopez
The artist joined the army in 2003 against the wishes of his high school teacher. He was deployed to Iraq in 2005. In 2008, four months into an 18-month tour in Afghanistan, he was hit with an IED and was seriously injured enduring burns on 54 percent of his body, right arm amputation, loss of vision in his right eye and the loss of four fingers on his left hand. He spent a year and a half at Brook Army Medical Center rehabilitating, two years in total healing.

In 2011, he met his wife Danielle. Through his faith and his artistic abilities, he has a newfound purpose. Lopez maintains a very positive attitude despite great adversity. Today he focuses on the medium of photography.

Mario Lopez (American, b. 20^th Century)
A Journey Begins
Acrylic on canvas
Signed l.r.
30 x 40 inches

The journey begins for both the soldiers depicted. The warrior being carried will be handed over to the next person who will help him and then to the next person and so on. Eventually, that wounded soldier will carry someone else, perhaps figuratively. The soldier carrying the wounded may be paying forward or perhaps giving back. The two are shown in silhouette because they fade into each other; they will not be separated and are one in the moment.