"Old Glory." In this painting I depict a short history of the American Flag. On the Jackstaff ('mast' on upper bowsprit) is the flag John Paul Jones flew on his ship the Serapis. Being British, he had wrong notions about the American flag when he joined our Navy, adding blue stripes to his design. Atop the foremast is an individual version of the American Flag; before the Continental Congress set the standard on June 14, 1777, there were many adaptations of the flag. As the years went by and new states joined the union, a new star was added for each state, while there remained thirteen stripes for the original colonies, eventually arriving at the flag we all know today as seen flying on the mizzenmast of this magnificent galleon-type ship. Streaming from the highest point on the ship, at the main mast, is a blue flag emblazoned with the historic, dying words of Captain Lawrence. As he lay dying on deck the USS Chesapeake, he commanded his men "don't give up the ship." As ships were treated with such reverence that they were considered the country itself, to give up a ship to the enemy was considered little different from giving up one's country. We all remember the moving words of Captain Jack Aubry regarding HMS Surprise, "this ship is England." Thus, the words of Captain Lawrence ring with a powerful message that still holds true today, "do not give up your country."

I love this painting for its detail and how it captures the majesty of old sailing ships, and portrays bits of history long forgotten by many, but always to be remembered by the few.