Katrina Segers/Sun Photo. Lisa Cowan, Leawood, works on a portrait of 19-year-old Shane Austin, Spring Hill. Cowan is painting portraits of fallen soldiers from the Kansas City metro area, such as Austin, who died when a grenade landed in his tank in Iraq on Oct. 8, 2006.
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Patriotic painter portrays fallen soldiers
By: Katrina Segers
Lisa Cowan perches on a chair in her kitchen, the middle of all the action in the house she said, to paint portraits of men who have given their lives to protect this country.
Leawood resident Cowan, 48, said she read an article about Utah painter Kaziah Hancock, who paints portraits of fallen soldiers. Cowan said she mulled the idea over for a year before deciding she could do the same locally.
In November, she said, she sent about 35 letters to families of fallen soldiers around the Kansas City metro area requesting photos, but has only heard from six.
She said she fears families might not believe she is serious.
“It does come with a true spirit that I just want to be able to honor their children in some way for them,” Cowan said. “It’s somebody’s kid. I have four boys. I know (any) of those could be one of these young men.”
Debbie Austin, Spring Hill, said she has a painting by Hancock of her 19-year-old son, Pfc. Shane Austin.
Debbie said when Cowan contacted her she was able to chose a more candid photo of Shane other than his formal photo, which is the picture she sent to Utah.
“When she called me I had some time to sort out pictures that I thought truly reflected the way Shane felt about the military,” Debbie said. “He looks so content and proud of what he is doing. It just basically reflected how I perceived him to feel with his career choice.”
A choice, Debbie said, Shane made at an early age.
“My youngest son told me after the fact that he can remember Shane putting on big boots and running outside (saying) he was preparing for the Army,” she said.
This personality is what Cowan wants to portray on canvas.
“I want it to look like the person down to if they have a dimple that sticks out or a crook in their nose or a twinkle in their eye. I want their parents to be able to look at it and go, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s even got his little crook in his lip,’ she said.
“Believe me, mothers notice all the little things about their (children). I want them to be able to look at it and just really appreciate and know that that was their son or daughter.”
Debbie said Shane died when a grenade landed in his tank Oct. 8, 2006, in Iraq. She said she spoke with him last on Oct. 7 and these portraits help her feel close to him.
“I just think it’s a great comfort. It is comforting to have him here. He’ll always be with me,” Debbie said. “It’s just a great way to honor those men and women who do give their life.”
Cowan said she hopes to produce enough paintings for an exhibition to honor the families.
“When you’re not in that world, you don’t understand, but there is definitely communication at length with these families,” she said.
Cowan hoped to include high school artists in the painting of the portraits, but has put those plans on hold due to the lack of response.
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Leawood resident Cowan, 48, said she read an article about Utah painter Kaziah Hancock, who paints portraits of fallen soldiers. Cowan said she mulled the idea over for a year before deciding she could do the same locally.
In November, she said, she sent about 35 letters to families of fallen soldiers around the Kansas City metro area requesting photos, but has only heard from six.
She said she fears families might not believe she is serious.
“It does come with a true spirit that I just want to be able to honor their children in some way for them,” Cowan said. “It’s somebody’s kid. I have four boys. I know (any) of those could be one of these young men.”
Debbie Austin, Spring Hill, said she has a painting by Hancock of her 19-year-old son, Pfc. Shane Austin.
Debbie said when Cowan contacted her she was able to chose a more candid photo of Shane other than his formal photo, which is the picture she sent to Utah.
“When she called me I had some time to sort out pictures that I thought truly reflected the way Shane felt about the military,” Debbie said. “He looks so content and proud of what he is doing. It just basically reflected how I perceived him to feel with his career choice.”
A choice, Debbie said, Shane made at an early age.
“My youngest son told me after the fact that he can remember Shane putting on big boots and running outside (saying) he was preparing for the Army,” she said.
This personality is what Cowan wants to portray on canvas.
“I want it to look like the person down to if they have a dimple that sticks out or a crook in their nose or a twinkle in their eye. I want their parents to be able to look at it and go, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s even got his little crook in his lip,’ she said.
“Believe me, mothers notice all the little things about their (children). I want them to be able to look at it and just really appreciate and know that that was their son or daughter.”
Debbie said Shane died when a grenade landed in his tank Oct. 8, 2006, in Iraq. She said she spoke with him last on Oct. 7 and these portraits help her feel close to him.
“I just think it’s a great comfort. It is comforting to have him here. He’ll always be with me,” Debbie said. “It’s just a great way to honor those men and women who do give their life.”
Cowan said she hopes to produce enough paintings for an exhibition to honor the families.
“When you’re not in that world, you don’t understand, but there is definitely communication at length with these families,” she said.
Cowan hoped to include high school artists in the painting of the portraits, but has put those plans on hold due to the lack of response.
Comments on "Patriotic painter portrays fallen soldiers"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.Cindy Upchurch wrote on Feb 19, 2008 9:55 AM:
" My name is Cindy Upchurch I am from Garden City Ks and my son Clint was killed Jan 7 2006 could you please send me the informatiln were I can contact Cowan so see if see would paint a portrait of my son
Cindy Upchurch
305 Davis
Garden City Ks 67846
620-290-4178 cell
620-276-8755 home "
Cindy Upchurch
305 Davis
Garden City Ks 67846
620-290-4178 cell
620-276-8755 home "